Have I damaged my CPU? [Overclocking]

[Guest]

My AMD FX 4100 (When it was new), used to run super cool at stock speeds. I tried to overclock it to 4 GHz and used it for a few days. But sometimes the overclocking failed due to insufficient power supply (I had a 250w PSU).

Now since 1.5 Years, my CPU is having a hard time running at stock speeds. It is facing thermal throttling frequently. I cleaned my case, motherboard, CPU (applied new thermal paste), and everything a number of times but didn't saw any significant different. CPU still throttles when running at 3.6 GHz. I've had to downclock it to 2.45 GHz to make it run at under 60 degrees celcius.


Could it be that I've damaged my CPU by overclocking at stock cooler?

Also, I removed my CPU and checked the PINs, the leftest and rightest regions were darken as compared to other regions.

 

[RAZER Gamer]

It's very possible, from what I've heard about AMD (I have always used Intel) they are not good at being overclocked. Now if you had a 250W PSU that is no where near enough power, I would get a 600 or 700 watt PSU. Also 60 degrees sounds very high but is that at idle or load?

 

[herrwizo]

Higher clocks could not have damaged it, but increased voltage could. Darkened CPU bottom in some parts could easily mean just that - damaged by overvolting.

 

[Aefuan]

If there are dark pins, maybe it had too much voltage and yes, it could be damaged. (I think the voltage is what it can damage it, more than the speed)

 

[RAZER Gamer]

Higher clocks could not have damaged it, but increased voltage could. Darkened CPU bottom in some parts could easily mean just that - damaged by overvolting.

Thats what I mean, if he used software to overclock the voltages may have gone too high and could have caused damage.

 

[herrwizo]

Yup. To the OP: you shoud never simply increase frequency and leave voltage at "auto" when OC-ing - you need to precisely know CPU's voltage limits and try to stay within them as much as possible, testing each voltage/frequency setting to stability and not exceeding it. Then settle at the best speed you can get which still yields reasonable voltage / temps. You overdid it with this CPU, and on a bad quality PSU at that. I reckon it's damaged, yes. Anything higher that 1.41V is not safe for this CPU for continuous usage.

 

[Guest]

@RAZER Gamer, 60 degrees under max load at 2.45GHz.
AND I overclocked my CPU using BIOS settings by just adjusting CPU frequency and leaving the voltages untouched.

So according to you guys, it's not motherboard which is causing this Issue right?
And do I need to buy a new CPU or is there any other way?

 

[Aefuan]

@RAZER Gamer, 60 degrees under max load at 2.45GHz.
AND I overclocked my CPU using BIOS settings by just adjusting CPU frequency and leaving the voltages untouched.

So according to you guys, it's not motherboard which is causing this Issue right?
And do I need to buy a new CPU or is there any other way?

Yea but if you left the voltage setting on "auto" then when you raised your frequency it raised the voltage to keep it stable. If you passed 1.50 voltage then its easy your CPU damage. If the CPU it's damaged there is no much you can do, maybe try to lower voltage and see if it keeps stable.

 

[RAZER Gamer]

@RAZER Gamer, 60 degrees under max load at 2.45GHz.
AND I overclocked my CPU using BIOS settings by just adjusting CPU frequency and leaving the voltages untouched.

So according to you guys, it's not motherboard which is causing this Issue right?
And do I need to buy a new CPU or is there any other way?

Ok 60 degrees under load isn't too bad. If that was idle though, you had a big problem. You used the BIOS to edit the clock speeds which will mean that the voltages will automatically increase to keep up with the new clock speed. So by overclocking and leaving the voltage on auto the voltage has still gone up.

How hot was the cpu at 3.6 Ghz?

 

[Guest]

http://www.overclock.net/t/1268917/fx-4100-finding-the-lowest-voltage
This guy tested the lowest voltage on 3.6 GHz
"Test ViD was CPU = 1.14v, CPU-NB = 1.1v"

I'll try to lower my voltage to 1.14V and see if it works.
Which software should I use? AMD overdrive? Or just use the classic BIOS?

 

[Guest]

@RAZER Gamer, 60 degrees under max load at 2.45GHz.
AND I overclocked my CPU using BIOS settings by just adjusting CPU frequency and leaving the voltages untouched.

So according to you guys, it's not motherboard which is causing this Issue right?
And do I need to buy a new CPU or is there any other way?

Ok 60 degrees under load isn't too bad. If that was idle though, you had a big problem. You used the BIOS to edit the clock speeds which will mean that the voltages will automatically increase to keep up with the new clock speed. So by overclocking and leaving the voltage on auto the voltage has still gone up.

How hot was the cpu at 3.6 Ghz?

You mean now at 3.6GHz or the time when I overclocked my CPU?

 

[RAZER Gamer]

@RAZER Gamer, 60 degrees under max load at 2.45GHz.
AND I overclocked my CPU using BIOS settings by just adjusting CPU frequency and leaving the voltages untouched.

So according to you guys, it's not motherboard which is causing this Issue right?
And do I need to buy a new CPU or is there any other way?

Ok 60 degrees under load isn't too bad. If that was idle though, you had a big problem. You used the BIOS to edit the clock speeds which will mean that the voltages will automatically increase to keep up with the new clock speed. So by overclocking and leaving the voltage on auto the voltage has still gone up.

How hot was the cpu at 3.6 Ghz?

You mean now at 3.6GHz or the time when I overclocked my CPU?

Both if possible.

 

[Guest]

@RAZER Gamer, 60 degrees under max load at 2.45GHz.
AND I overclocked my CPU using BIOS settings by just adjusting CPU frequency and leaving the voltages untouched.

So according to you guys, it's not motherboard which is causing this Issue right?
And do I need to buy a new CPU or is there any other way?

Ok 60 degrees under load isn't too bad. If that was idle though, you had a big problem. You used the BIOS to edit the clock speeds which will mean that the voltages will automatically increase to keep up with the new clock speed. So by overclocking and leaving the voltage on auto the voltage has still gone up.

How hot was the cpu at 3.6 Ghz?

You mean now at 3.6GHz or the time when I overclocked my CPU?

Both if possible.

I don't remember clearly the temperatures that were before.
Now it exceeds 82 Degrees Celcius at 70% load and throttles back to 1.4Ghz.

 

[RAZER Gamer]

At 82 degrees that sounds like it's overheating. Try reducing your clock speed and voltage. I think the voltage is the main problem.

 

[RAZER Gamer]

1.55 volts is the maximum safe voltage. And even at that, that is high for this cpu.

 

[Guest]

I used AMD Overdrive to reduce voltage but it doesn't work. Will it be safe to do the same at BIOS settings?

 

[RAZER Gamer]

It should be, but be careful. If you reduce the voltage too much the pc will crash. Lower the voltage down bit by bit until the temperature is more stable.

 

[Guest]

It seems the AOD worked!
I am using my CPU at 3.6 GHz and lowered the voltage to CPU = 1.14v, NB = 1.1v
Now the CPU isn't crossing 52 degrees ceclius at full load! 😀 (Tested using HeavyLoad)

Thankyou everyone for support!

 

[Gskillrip]

Go down by around 0.020 V, this will make it easier when determining the best voltage.

 

[Gskillrip]

It seems the AOD worked!
I am using my CPU at 3.6 GHz and lowered the voltage to CPU = 1.14v, NB = 1.1v
Now the CPU isn't crossing 52 degrees ceclius at full load! 😀 (Tested using HeavyLoad)

Thankyou everyone for support!

Great

 

[RAZER Gamer]

It seems the AOD worked!
I am using my CPU at 3.6 GHz and lowered the voltage to CPU = 1.14v, NB = 1.1v
Now the CPU isn't crossing 52 degrees ceclius at full load! 😀 (Tested using HeavyLoad)

Thankyou everyone for support!

No problem mate. Glad I could help!

 

[Guest]

Alright. Will do so

 

[Gskillrip]

As a side note, if you ever plan to overclock again, just make sure to get a custom CPU cooler.They make a huge difference.

 

[RAZER Gamer]

As a side note, if you ever plan to overclock again, just make sure to get a custom CPU cooler.They make a huge difference.

I have an Intel i5-4690k @4.4 Ghz with a stock cooler and I have never gone over 55 degrees! Even under load. You don't need a custom cpu cooler but it probably would cool my pc a bit more.

 

[Guest]

What I've learned today that it is the voltage which damages the component, not overclocked frequency.