I want to know if overclocking is a possibility for my AMD processor

[Hydragenum]

Greetings,

My computer is an ASUS PC that was given to me about 2 years ago. The specs are what you'd expect coming from a retailer but it was free so I can't complain. I've been in the process of replacing the parts bit by bit as I see deals, and I'm looking to replace the motherboard and CPU soon, both of which are crap. I'm looking to overclock and get maybe another 6 months of good performance, and if it and the motherboard burns out I'm totally fine with that. So long as my other parts are intact. Here's the specs:

Motherboard: M51BC
Processor: AMD FX-8300
PSU: CW500
Storage: 500 GB 850 EVO SSD/1 TB Toshiba HDD
RAM: 8 GB Kingston
GPU: GTX 760 (Going to replace with 970 soon, so please consider that card as well)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Freezer 13 (I believe 200W)
Case: Retailer case with only 1 fan

So I'm in a pretty bad situation in that my CPU and after-market cooler can probably handle overclocking, but my motherboard and case makes it doubtful. Right now, IIRC, my CPU and motherboard is around 30C idle and upto 55C under load (Witcher 3, BF4). I'm wondering if it is ok for me to overclock given these conditions? I certainly don't want to damage anything else such as my SSD. I'm also relatively new to overclocking, and I've been provided software from ASUS to do it but I know it's better to do so via BIOS. In the case that overclocking is possible, I was wondering if there are clock speeds published for my processor? (Though I suspect I'll be lower given the MB and the poor airflow)

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[koffeeshop77]

1st down load AMD catalyst
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download#
restart, right click desktop, click AMD catalyst control center, -> performance-> AMD overdrive-> override existing cpu settings check x (hit autotune) let it tune it may take a bit but it will crash your whole pc, dont worry about it, just tune it off. reboot everythings fine...
go back into AMD catalyst center this time it will give you a range for how much you can now overclock!. (dont over clock to the max caus that is the point that mad it crash500 mhz below that or so) and you can go at least to you over drive mhz whatever value that is 3.3
if you have a good 8300 you may even get more like 4000mhz mith propercooling

it will not break you ssd, im not 100% sure you motherboard supports this, just download install and see, it will not hurt your pc, .. i say that it the safest way to overclock as it basicly test you system for you and then gives you a "rang" in which you can overclock it in with you multplyer.
you may want to update your bios if you havent already im sure asus has a tool on there web site to perform bios update with from windows just look for you board in support and dl latest bios and utilitys.
they also have suits in with which you can test you CPU with, check out the ROG section.

i would recommend you get a better cooler or fan 55 on laod is high shouldn't go above 60.
not sure about how well that PSU is but if you do get a 970 you WILL also need a new PSU 750watt from a brand name like thermaltek or corsair,

overclocking = higher temps = more power and that power is coming from you PSU you might actually want to start buy getting a better PSU or you might blow your entire system! no grafic nessary then 😉 your fX8300 is good and will prolly overclock well.
but if you think something is slowing you down it could be your motherboard / chipset heating up too (when you order the psu order two fans they are cheap 7.99$) and it might alos put a chokehold on a 970 nvidea (the mobo,idk)/ may fix it/ just saying. you can always use more case fans 1 is not enough!
i have a fx 6300 and idle around 20c or lower i get 4500 easy on a hot day max is like 45-50.
have you checked and made sure your cooler is sitting right and the past is ok ( not all crusty n stuff)

here is more info on overclock AMD cpu with bios.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-overclock-athlon,2161.html
goodluck

 

[Hydragenum]

1st down load AMD catalyst
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download#
restart, right click desktop, click AMD catalyst control center, -> performance-> AMD overdrive-> override existing cpu settings check x (hit autotune) let it tune it may take a bit but it will crash your whole pc, dont worry about it, just tune it off. reboot everythings fine...
go back into AMD catalyst center this time it will give you a range for how much you can now overclock!. (dont over clock to the max caus that is the point that mad it crash500 mhz below that or so) and you can go at least to you over drive mhz whatever value that is 3.3
if you have a good 8300 you may even get more like 4000mhz mith propercooling

it will not break you ssd, im not 100% sure you motherboard supports this, just download install and see, it will not hurt your pc, .. i say that it the safest way to overclock as it basicly test you system for you and then gives you a "rang" in which you can overclock it in with you multplyer.
you may want to update your bios if you havent already im sure asus has a tool on there web site to perform bios update with from windows just look for you board in support and dl latest bios and utilitys.
they also have suits in with which you can test you CPU with, check out the ROG section.

i would recommend you get a better cooler or fan 55 on laod is high shouldn't go above 60.
not sure about how well that PSU is but if you do get a 970 you WILL also need a new PSU 750watt from a brand name like thermaltek or corsair,

overclocking = higher temps = more power and that power is coming from you PSU you might actually want to start buy getting a better PSU or you might blow your entire system! no grafic nessary then 😉 your fX8300 is good and will prolly overclock well.
but if you think something is slowing you down it could be your motherboard / chipset heating up too (when you order the psu order two fans they are cheap 7.99$) and it might alos put a chokehold on a 970 nvidea (the mobo,idk)/ may fix it/ just saying. you can always use more case fans 1 is not enough!
i have a fx 6300 and idle around 20c or lower i get 4500 easy on a hot day max is like 45-50.
have you checked and made sure your cooler is sitting right and the past is ok ( not all crusty n stuff)

here is more info on overclock AMD cpu with bios.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-overclock-athlon,2161.html
goodluck

Hey thanks for the info. I had thought that the 970 is a cooler card and will infact take less power than the 760 but perhaps not. Also I hadn't realized that 500W wouldn't be enough, but I'll definitely investigate. Regadless of whether or not I get a new mobo and cpu I will for sure get a new case soon. Hoepfully that'll improve the airflow. But other than that I'll recheck the temps to make sure before I try the catalyst method. I'll upodate once I do that.

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

If you want to overclock properly don't use software, do it from the BIOS. Overclocking isn't just about increasing the clock speed, you also need to adjust the CPU voltage and disable the various power-saving settings, amongst other things. Software does not allow you to do any of this.

The worst thing you can do with overclocking is jump in at the deep end without fully understanding what you're doing. Overclocking is perfectly safe if done properly, but nonetheless, you're entering uncharted territory and if you aren't prepared you'll get burned, perhaps literally. Overclocking is not an exact science and you can't rely on precise instructions from anyone.

Have a read of this guide before doing anything else; http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/340404-33-wolfram-overclocking-guide.

 

[madmatt30]

do us a favour mate ,download cpu-z & post a screengrab of the mainboard tab

to do this just use windows snipping tool from start menu/accessories folder
save the iumage & upload using www.postimage.org
then copy & paste the thunbnail for forums link 1 into a reply

from where im looking the board appears to be a cut down oem version of the m5a97 evo - if this is the case then the board wont hold you back in the slightest.

 

[madmatt30]

1st down load AMD catalyst
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download#
restart, right click desktop, click AMD catalyst control center, -> performance-> AMD overdrive-> override existing cpu settings check x (hit autotune) let it tune it may take a bit but it will crash your whole pc, dont worry about it, just tune it off. reboot everythings fine...
go back into AMD catalyst center this time it will give you a range for how much you can now overclock!. (dont over clock to the max caus that is the point that mad it crash500 mhz below that or so) and you can go at least to you over drive mhz whatever value that is 3.3
if you have a good 8300 you may even get more like 4000mhz mith propercooling

it will not break you ssd, im not 100% sure you motherboard supports this, just download install and see, it will not hurt your pc, .. i say that it the safest way to overclock as it basicly test you system for you and then gives you a "rang" in which you can overclock it in with you multplyer.
you may want to update your bios if you havent already im sure asus has a tool on there web site to perform bios update with from windows just look for you board in support and dl latest bios and utilitys.
they also have suits in with which you can test you CPU with, check out the ROG section.

i would recommend you get a better cooler or fan 55 on laod is high shouldn't go above 60.
not sure about how well that PSU is but if you do get a 970 you WILL also need a new PSU 750watt from a brand name like thermaltek or corsair,

overclocking = higher temps = more power and that power is coming from you PSU you might actually want to start buy getting a better PSU or you might blow your entire system! no grafic nessary then 😉 your fX8300 is good and will prolly overclock well.
but if you think something is slowing you down it could be your motherboard / chipset heating up too (when you order the psu order two fans they are cheap 7.99$) and it might alos put a chokehold on a 970 nvidea (the mobo,idk)/ may fix it/ just saying. you can always use more case fans 1 is not enough!
i have a fx 6300 and idle around 20c or lower i get 4500 easy on a hot day max is like 45-50.
have you checked and made sure your cooler is sitting right and the past is ok ( not all crusty n stuff)

here is more info on overclock AMD cpu with bios.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-overclock-athlon,2161.html
goodluck

Hey thanks for the info. I had thought that the 970 is a cooler card and will infact take less power than the 760 but perhaps not. Also I hadn't realized that 500W wouldn't be enough, but I'll definitely investigate. Regadless of whether or not I get a new mobo and cpu I will for sure get a new case soon. Hoepfully that'll improve the airflow. But other than that I'll recheck the temps to make sure before I try the catalyst method. I'll upodate once I do that.

you may be thinking of the gtx 960 which while being some 30% more powerful than the 760 uses 50w less & runs considerably cooler.

the 970 is in another league - its virtually twice as powerful as a 760 - it still has a fairly low tdp though & depending on your actual psu model ,500w is capable of doing the job still.

 

[koffeeshop77]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220445
over view of the pc i looked up last night.
+ if you want to over clock and get a the nvidia 970 you will need a bigger power supply as AMD overclocking will go from 95w to 200watt by its self

i offered the catalyst overclock to begin with as that gives you a general rage of what you are looking at in the speed you will reach on air without investing water cooler.

you can also you easytune 6 from gigabyte to up your voltages. http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3894#utility
using the bios to overclock has a steep learning curve if you are doing it for the first time. amd catalyst and easy tune or maybe even a utility from asus can turn of cool & quite, amd turbo and c1 with, it if catalyst doesn't do it for you.

genaraly i belive you can overclock i doubt you will get the bleeding, fastest speeds you could get with say a real motherboard made to overclock but then agian, you are buy stuff as you get more money and doing the best with what you have at the momemt, read the guides , they will help and keep in mind everychip , and every mother board bios is difrent within reason, what you see someone doing in bios my not work the same with the other mabey for the simple reason that a slight but crucial modle number or reversion change has happend and the is was improved or the otherway around.

 

[koffeeshop77]

in overclocking you must take everything with a grain of salt!

 

[koffeeshop77]

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-970/specifications

min power requirement for 970! 500watt ( no over clock and that is minimum!!)

you will proll want to shot for 750/ 800 supply when upgrading!!! you still have cpu(95watt!) 2xhdd, motherboard the chipset is in and for itself a little cpu managing everything you pc does! gets pretty hot, is the other high temps you see in HW monitor( program to watch temps, package +3 temps highest is chipset) additional fans!

 

[Hydragenum]

do us a favour mate ,download cpu-z & post a screengrab of the mainboard tab

to do this just use windows snipping tool from start menu/accessories folder
save the iumage & upload using www.postimage.org
then copy & paste the thunbnail for forums link 1 into a reply

from where im looking the board appears to be a cut down oem version of the m5a97 evo - if this is the case then the board wont hold you back in the slightest.

Here it is





Btw, my BIOS update is named M5A97-EVO2-ASUS-M51BC so take from that what you will.

 

[koffeeshop77]

M5A97 EVO nice mobo

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/M5A97_EVO/

and here a vidio how to oc from bios at least genaral direction using and asus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckeAmnDeTk

 

[madmatt30]

^ its not that exact board but a cut down matx OEM version - if only Asus would sell these boards to the public they would make a killing!!!

There is a massive lack of matx am3+ boards & a mini version of the evo would sell incredibly well.

Looking about people have pulled 4.2ghz fairly easily from these Asus prebuilds- it essentially has a max 140w tdp so its safe for over clocking up to that point - it depends if Asus have locked the bios options down though.
Its fairly certain you're going to have to bump voltage up to at least 1.3v to hit that speed on all cores though.
Essentially you want to be doing the below.
1.disable turbo/boost mode
2.disable c1e states
3.change multiplier to desired frequency
Your stock is 16.5 (16.5x200mhz fsb = 3300mhz)
Id be almost certain you can get to 18.5 (3700mhz) on stock voltage max - after that you will be toying with voltages.


As koffeeshop stated your PSU becomes the concern really.

I would say as long as it has 34a minimum on the 12v you would be fairly safe to go with a 970 & a overclock to around the 4ghz mark.

PSU specs or model number would be handy though.

 

[Hydragenum]

^ its not that exact board but a cut down matx OEM version - if only Asus would sell these boards to the public they would make a killing!!!

There is a massive lack of matx am3+ boards & a mini version of the evo would sell incredibly well.

Looking about people have pulled 4.2ghz fairly easily from these Asus prebuilds- it essentially has a max 140w tdp so its safe for over clocking up to that point - it depends if Asus have locked the bios options down though.
Its fairly certain you're going to have to bump voltage up to at least 1.3v to hit that speed on all cores though.
Essentially you want to be doing the below.
1.disable turbo/boost mode
2.disable c1e states
3.change multiplier to desired frequency
Your stock is 16.5 (16.5x200mhz fsb = 3300mhz)
Id be almost certain you can get to 18.5 (3700mhz) on stock voltage max - after that you will be toying with voltages.


As koffeeshop stated your PSU becomes the concern really.

I would say as long as it has 34a minimum on the 12v you would be fairly safe to go with a 970 & a overclock to around the 4ghz mark.

PSU specs or model number would be handy though.

Corsair CX500. I don't know why I had CW500 that's not even a thing.