[SOLVED] New CPU Upgrade

[Classic122]

Hey all, I was wondering if any of you knew whether or not the FX 8350 paired with the Wraith Cooler is compatible with the M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3 Motherboard. If so, what BIOS version would I need and how would I check if I had it?

Specs:

CPU - AMD FX-4300 "Quad" Core
GPU - GTX 1060 6GB
Installed RAM - 16.0 GB DDR3
System Type - 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

 

[Lutfij]

Don't bother pairing that processor with that board. You're asking for a fire to spring up in the chassis.

 

[Classic122]

Don't bother pairing that processor with that board. You're asking for a fire to spring up in the chassis.

What if I were to buy it with a Wraith Cooler?

 

[clutchc]

It's compatible. Just don't do any serious (or maybe any) OC'ing with that 125W CPU on that board. You'll need at least the 1401 BIOS for the FX-8350 to be recognized.

CPU-Z/Mainboard will give you the current BIOS you have.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

It would be a good upgrade over a 4300, but cheap boards and overclocked 8 cores, especially inefficient ones, arent a great pairing.

As said above, nothing more than a minor oc is a good idea.

 

[Classic122]

It's compatible. Just don't do any serious (or maybe any) OC'ing with that 125W CPU on that board. You'll need at least the 1401 BIOS for the FX-8350 to be recognized.

CPU-Z/Mainboard will give you the current BIOS you have.

According to CPU-Z, my BIOS brand is American Megatrends running on version 0502 with a date of 11/18/2016. The version looks outdated but the date is more recent. What should I do?

 

[logainofhades]

I wouldn't put anything more than an FX 6300 in that board. Your best option is to just save up, and get on a more modern platform. Even a gen 1 ryzen would be vastly superior.

 

[clutchc]

Wait!
I may be looking at the wrong m5a78l-m motherboard. Does your ASUS M5A78L-M board have any nomenclature after that part of the name?
See this list of ASUS M5A78L-M boards and let me know which you have. Don't mess with a BIOS update until we find out exactly which ASUS M5A78L-M board you have.

 

[Classic122]

Wait!
I may be looking at the wrong m5a78l-m motherboard. Does your ASUS M5A78L-M board have any nomenclature after that part of the name?
See this list of ASUS M5A78L-M boards and let me know which you have. Don't mess with a BIOS update until we find out exactly which ASUS M5A78L-M board you have.

Don't worry, I have not done anything to the BIOS. The full name as written on the physical motherboard is " M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3" I did not include that last part because I expected the M5A78L-M motherboards to run on the same BIOS. Sorry about that.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

That board has no VRM heat syncs, so don't trust that board with overclocking nor a cpu past that boards 125w rating. The best CPU id suggest is an FX8350 with no overclocking.

Latest bios is here: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/M5A78L-M-PLUS-USB3/HelpDesk_BIOS/

 

[Classic122]

That board has no VRM heat syncs, so don't trust that board with overclocking nor a cpu past that boards 125w rating. The best CPU id suggest is an FX8350 with no overclocking.

Latest bios is here: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/M5A78L-M-PLUS-USB3/HelpDesk_BIOS/

Thanks for letting me know, but I was never planning on overclocking.

 

[clutchc]

Don't worry, I have not done anything to the BIOS. The full name as written on the physical motherboard is " M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3" I did not include that last part because I expected the M5A78L-M motherboards to run on the same BIOS. Sorry about that.

OK, good. That is not the same board as I thought. The Plus/USB3 uses a different BIOS. And there was only one ever produced for it; the one you have. So it will support the 125W FX-8350 or 8370 as is. Be sure to use the cooler that came/comes with the FX-8350, or get a better one. Don't use the same one the FX-4300 came with.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I'd suggest a new FX 8350 with the wraith cooler for $75: https://www.outletpc.com/tg0530-amd-cpu-fx8350-black-edition-40-ghz-socket-am3-fd.html?utm_source=tg0530-amd-cpu-fx8350-black-edition-40-ghz-socket-am3-fd&utm_medium=shopping+engine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=AMD+-+CPUs (Processors) > AMD AM3+&sscid=61k3_mbqye

Or you can buy an 8350 with no cooler used for around $60 on eBay, but once you add a good cooler, its at the new CPUs price.

 

[Classic122]

I'd suggest a new FX 8350 with the wraith cooler for $75: https://www.outletpc.com/tg0530-amd-cpu-fx8350-black-edition-40-ghz-socket-am3-fd.html?utm_source=tg0530-amd-cpu-fx8350-black-edition-40-ghz-socket-am3-fd&utm_medium=shopping+engine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=AMD+-+CPUs (Processors) > AMD AM3+&sscid=61k3_mbqye

Or you can buy an 8350 with no cooler used for around $60 on eBay, but once you add a good cooler, its at the new CPUs price.

That is exactly what I was planning on getting! Are you sure it will fit in my board?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Yes.
The CPU is on the supported list for your motherboard: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/M5A78L-M-PLUS-USB3/HelpDesk_CPU/
The "8 cores" and high clock speed of the 8350 will definitely help your system out.

 

[Classic122]

Yes.
The CPU is on the supported list for your motherboard: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/M5A78L-M-PLUS-USB3/HelpDesk_CPU/
The "8 cores" and high clock speed of the 8350 will definitely help your system out.

I was talking about the wraith cooler because it seems to be a bit larger than stock.

 

[Classic122]

OK, good. That is not the same board as I thought. The Plus/USB3 uses a different BIOS. And there was only one ever produced for it; the one you have. So it will support the 125W FX-8350 or 8370 as is. Be sure to use the cooler that came/comes with the FX-8350, or get a better one. Don't use the same one the FX-4300 came with.

Thank you sooo much for this answer! You really helped me out.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Yes the wraith cooler will work.

 

[Classic122]

Yes the wraith cooler will work.

Thanks for letting me know.

 

[clutchc]

The Wraith cooler will have an extra cable with it for the RGB lighting on it. But you don't have to use it.