How do I unlock the AMD FX-8320 clock multiplier?

[dharris89]

Is there a way I can unlock the clock multiplier of the FX-8320? When I go to the BIOS, it won't let me select the clock multiplier. I have the Gigabyte 970a-d3p motherboard.

 

[hunter315]

It is already unlocked. You may need to set OC tuner or AI tweaker or whatever it is called to manual to be able to set it yourself though.

 

[dharris89]

OK, I found how to change the multiplier, but CPU-Z still shows 3.7GHz with 18.5 (7-20) multiplier and 200 MHz bus speed. I want to overclock to 4.0 GHz.

 

[mdocod]

Turn off APM and Turbo for overclocking AM3+ CPUs, they will interfere with your attempts through power managed throttling.

Keep in mind that the D3P is not particularly well suited to overclocking the 8 core parts. 4GHZ should be fine but don't expect much more.

 

[dharris89]

Turn off APM and Turbo for overclocking AM3+ CPUs, they will interfere with your attempts through power managed throttling.

Keep in mind that the D3P is not particularly well suited to overclocking the 8 core parts. 4GHZ should be fine but don't expect much more.

Thanks that did the trick.

For some reason though, it throttles the multiplier to 7 every 10-15 seconds. Is this normal activity?

 

[hunter315]

Are you overheating or is CnQ kicking in because you don't need to be sucking that much power?

 

[mdocod]

Cool and Quiet will naturally draw the CPU down to lower power states to match the workload in an attempt to save power. The lowest power state is a 7X multiplier, which is where the CPU will sit when the workload is minimal.

If you are observing the CPU dip straight from the 20X multipler, down to the 7X multiplier while the CPU is under a continuous load, that is the motherboard throttling to protect the VRMs from overheating. (This is unfortunately how Gigabyte boards throttle on this platform to protect themselves). The best way to eliminate this would a combination approach.

1. Install active cooling over the VRM heatsink on your motherboard...
Like this:

2. Set voltage controls for the CPU to manual and begin tweaking downward to find the lowest stable voltage you can run at, this will reduce power dissipation and help prevent throttling. I would encourage the use of offset mode in order to preserve the full functionality of cool and quiet. (The reduced power states of cool and quiet can effect both multiplier and voltage, but only if voltage controls are set to offset or auto, in your case, you'll want to fine tune an offset).