How important is the VRM phase count for overclocking?

[Bojangle12]

My motherboard is Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3, it has a phase count of 8+2 and I was wondering if getting a 12+2 phase count motherboard would help out. I read that it helps with power distribution and overheating. Or would investing in a more powerful CPU Cooler be helpful? I have an FX-8320 and a Hyper 212 EVO.

 

[Cons29]

i am not an expert on these, but i doubt that going from 8 to 12 will matter much.
if you have stock cooler, get a good one instead of buying a new board.

for me, the usual reason why i get a new board is when i upgrade to a new socket

 

[AshyCFC]

8+2 is perfectly good!

What's your current overclock?

 

[Bojangle12]

8+2 is perfectly good!

What's your current overclock?

It's either 4.6 or 4.7 GHz at a voltage of approximately 1.36V. I forget the number. But it gets to 60 degrees C after about 10 minutes of Prime95. Was thinking a 12+2 mobo would help with that, or am I wrong?

 

[AshyCFC]

It wouldn't be a cost efficient upgrade that's for sure if there's any upgrade at all(I doubt it'll be significant)

60C is a fine peak temperature underload especially like prime.

You're fine.

 

[Calculatron]

The EVO, for as good as it is, can only handle so much - you've reached your thermal limit. If you want to go further, you'll have to invest in a superior cooling solution.

As long as you keep it under 61C, you're fine.