FX-8350 clock drops under heavy loads

[steppan_ek]

Hey, so my FX-8350 speed drops from 4.00 to 1.35 every 10 secounds, and lasts 5 secounds, until it jumps back up to 4.00,
(load is 99% andd rops to 35)
my motherboard is asrock 970 extreme 4, cpu cooler is Akasa AK-968
Picture from performance manager http://gyazo.com/ca26fefccc726f36df6ae6c28adff0ff
Any ideas whats the problem? disabled
While running prime95 for 10 minutes the cpu is having weird melting sounds when its on 100% load, but if you restart the pc the sound stops

 

[random stalker]

could be overheating - FX is a power hungry beast and it requires not only a good cooler, but also a good tim and a very vented case...
could you try to remove the side panel of your case to improve the air flow and try again?

 

[Jay Stew]

Disable turbo core, and all power savings options. Is your motherboard up to the VRM needs of the cpu? What are you temps while running OC and at idle?

Seems to fit this chart ok...
http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database

 

[das_stig]

CPU temps ok and not causing it to throttle, the Akasa AK-968 is bottom end cooler and not much better than stock.

 

[steppan_ek]

turbo core and power saving is disabled, idle cpu temp is 30 and under full load is 56 celcius so don't think its overheating.

Already tested with removing the side panels but didnt help

 

[GhislainG]

For that CPU, ASRock provide the following note: "For cooling the CPU and its surrounding components, please install a CPU cooler with a top-down blowing design." How are you cooling the VRMs? They get too warm and cause CPU throttling.

 

[steppan_ek]

I have 6 fans, 3 in and 3 out, and i have 1 fan thats blowing directly on the motherboard, the cpu fan is pretty old, should i upgrade it with a top-down cooler or liquid cooler?

 

[steppan_ek]

So i've decided to buy a top-down cpu cooler, Noctua NH-L12 does anyone know how good this will cool down the VRMs?

 

[GhislainG]

It should definitely help. I just checked the reviews on Newegg.com and ASRock recommend a top-down CPU cooler:

Manufacturer Response:
Dear Valued ASRock Customer

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
For the throttling issue, please install a CPU cooler with a top-down blowing design to avoid overheating the area, especially CPU FX series with 125W and above.
Or install the chassis fan top of VRM (MOSFET) area instead.

Below link CPU models (indicate with *) that required top-down blowing fan, please visit link below.
Link: http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/970%20Extreme4/?cat=CPU

If you have any technical support inquiry, please contact us at http://www.ASRock.com/support/tsd.asp. We will assist you shortly.

Thank you

ASRock SUPPORT
Tech Support Email: http://www.ASRock.com/support/tsd.asp

Best would have been to buy a more expensive motherboard that fully supports that CPU, no matter what cooler is used. With that motherboard, a liquid cooler requires a fan that blows directly over the VRMs to cool them.