Is underclocking an AMD FX-4300 safe?

[Dethal]

I'm using the stock cooler on my AMD FX-4300, and since I don't really want to get an aftermarket cooler because I'm scared I'll mess something up, I figured that maybe by underclocking the CPU I'd get safer temps when playing games. When I play games that are demanding the temperature of the CPU gets to about 57c, when I look at the thermal margin on AMD overdrive the °C can get to about 14°C which is kind of worrying. And looking at HWMonitor the temperature of TMPIN0 got to even 67-69°C. I'm not sure what TMPIN0 and TMPIN1 are though.

I know that the performance would get worse, but that doesn't really matter to me that much, as long as I don't have to worry about the temperature I'll be glad. If it matters, my motherboard is a "ASUSTeK Computer INC. M5A78L-M LX3 (AM3R2)".

So, is it safe to do just from AMD Overdrive? Do I just lower the target speed?

 

[Ryan_78]

Just make sure it doesn't hit 70C. Getting an aftermarket cooler is an option , and even if you're afraid, it will save you. There are tutorial videos online about the instructions. Other than thermal throttling at 90C, then you're fine. 57 under stress and gaming is fine.

 

[Dethal]

Just make sure it doesn't hit 70C. Getting an aftermarket cooler is an option , and even if you're afraid, it will save you. There are tutorial videos online about the instructions. Other than thermal throttling at 90C, then you're fine. 57 under stress and gaming is fine.

Hmm, ok. But I still feel like I want to make sure I don't damage my CPU or Motherboard, do you think that if I just lower the MHz it will keep it cooler? Or is it risky?

 

[Ryan_78]

Voltage controls heat. It is not a good idea to undervolt. Lowering MHz would not affect it. But really I would go for a cooler. There are coolers out there that clip onto the default AMD clips. No need to remove backplate and such.

 

[PreevBR]

Just make sure it doesn't hit 70C. Getting an aftermarket cooler is an option , and even if you're afraid, it will save you. There are tutorial videos online about the instructions. Other than thermal throttling at 90C, then you're fine. 57 under stress and gaming is fine.

Hmm, ok. But I still feel like I want to make sure I don't damage my CPU or Motherboard, do you think that if I just lower the MHz it will keep it cooler? Or is it risky?

Underclocking is not risky, overclocking is.
Also remember that just underclocking is not enough, you have to lower the voltages too so start by lowering voltages by 0.0125 then when system gets unstable, lower 100Mhz and keep doing this to your likes, if it ever fails booting you need to either increase voltage to the last stable one or underclock more.
By the way, underclocking will get your performance lowered alot if you do it in extreme ways.

@Ryan_78
'Voltage controls heat. It is not a good idea to undervolt. Lowering MHz would not affect it. But really I would go for a cooler. There are coolers out there that clip onto the default AMD clips. No need to remove backplate and such.'

I agree with you but the heat lost by the processor should compensate the heat generated by changing voltages, undervolting actually generate these two opinions.
Anyway, a new cooler seems to be the best choice for the OP just like you said.

 

[Dethal]

Voltage controls heat. It is not a good idea to undervolt. Lowering MHz would not affect it. But really I would go for a cooler. There are coolers out there that clip onto the default AMD clips. No need to remove backplate and such.

Alright then. I'm not sure what kind of a cooler I should be getting, but I guess underclocking is too much of a hassle.

 

[lodders]

Yes it is safe. Whenever my PC is idling, it drops both the speed and the voltage automatically, and nothing bad happens.

However, unless your CPU is actually overheating, seriously, don't mess about with it, don't worry about it, just use your PC and enjoy it.