overclocked FX-8350 and R9-290

[Avinoam73]

hi guys. my FX-8350 is bottle necking my R9 290, this comes in a form of low and unstable GPU usage (it goes from 30-70% uncontrollably) and all tough my CPU usage is never at a 100% i've (with the help of others on this forum) have come to a conclusion that my CPU bottlenecks. i've wanted to know if OC it will solve the problem. i remember having a lot of issues back when i had an FX-4100 and an OC solved them all, but i just want to make sure that it's worth buying a new cooler (hyper 212x).
should i OC or just save for a few more years and get an intel CPU?

forgot to mention i have a GA-990XA-UD3 MOBO and i can OC pretty high (i've seen people go 4.8 with no problems)

 

[iron8orn]

it should not be bn

try this so all your cores stay active..http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/494232-how-adjust-core-parking-inside-windows-7-a.html

after you restart set min cores to 100% def should get the evo though

 

[chris987]

i wouldnt say so. that cpu wouldnt be the limitation! do you monitor your temps? most probably you are dealing with a cpu thottling do to insufficient cpu cooling causin gpu usage fluctuation. cm 212 x - evo is a must in order to sustain temps within acceptable range or overclock. staying always below 60c is ideal! your mobo is good and wouldnt be a drawback, however overclocking potential vary from cpu to cpu! please also state your psu as your system is quite power hangry requiring a strong and quality unit!

 

[chris987]

it should not be bn

try this so all your cores stay active..http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/494232-how-adjust-core-parking-inside-windows-7-a.html

after you restart set min cores to 100% def should get the evo though

even without core parking disabled such gpu activity isnt normal. however under proper conditions it will minimize stattering a great deal!

 

[Avinoam73]

1. my cores are un-parked. yes i've used the software and i have windows 8.1.
2. chris987- i have heard that the 8350's stock cooler sucks d*ck but is it really that bad to throttle on stock settings?
3. i know this CPU should not bottleneck but it seems that it does. here's a link to the thread i mentioned http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2327368/force-gpu-usage-100.html#xtor=EPR-8809
4. my PSU is a 750w 80+ GOLD seasonic s12g which is (supposedly) more than enough to power my PC

 

[chris987]

1. my cores are un-parked. yes i've used the software and i have windows 8.1.
2. chris987- i have heard that the 8350's stock cooler sucks d*ck but is it really that bad to throttle on stock settings?
3. i know this CPU should not bottleneck but it seems that it does. here's a link to the thread i mentioned http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2327368/force-gpu-usage-100.html#xtor=EPR-8809
4. my PSU is a 750w 80+ GOLD seasonic s12g which is (supposedly) more than enough to power my PC

FX 8350 is already clocked high enough to create trouble on stock cooler under load! cpu temps must be monitored anyway! get a track on them before we start looking elsewhere!

core temp

also take a look here http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/faq/id-2122665/understanding-temperature-amd-cpus-apus.html

 

[Avinoam73]

on core temp it says that my temp (on core num0) are 52 degrees. i'm playing fifa 14 (which isn't a demanding game at all)
is this normal?

 

[chris987]

on core temp it says that my temp (on core num0) are 52 degrees. i'm playing fifa 14 (which isn't a demanding game at all)
is this normal?

yes it is acceptible as long as =< 60c you are ok. while playing fifa does radeon usage flactuate? however as it is not that demanding flactuation may not have that an impact on gameplay! try something more demanding!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

GA-990XA-UD3 < If it's Revision 4 it's a good overclocker.

 

[Avinoam73]

it is revision 4. playing BF4, the temp is on 69 on all cores (!)

update: i'm still playing and the max is 73

 

[chris987]

get cm 212x or evo and your problems will be solved for good! however if moderate overclocking isnt enough for you, better get something even better. noctua d14 would be best!

 

[Avinoam73]

i'm still gonna go with the 212x tough. it's half the price

 

[Avinoam73]

my max height for a cpu cooler on my GX500 chassis is 158mm, and according to the cooler master website the 212x is exactly 158mm. will it fit? http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/hyper-212x/

 

[chris987]

my max height for a cpu cooler on my GX500 chassis is 158mm, and according to the cooler master website the 212x is exactly 158mm. will it fit? http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/hyper-212x/

unfortunately no. it wont fit

here are your options

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/cpu-cooler/?compatible_with=antec-case-gx500#sort=a6

this something equivalent i suggest!

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CYNVcf/by_merchant/
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120V 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $29.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-01 17:54 EDT-0400

 

[Avinoam73]

ok i'll try re-paste it first before buying anything new. any other recommendations?

 

[chris987]

ok i'll try re-paste it first before buying anything new. any other recommendations?

increase your tower airflow! i dont think repasting will do much though!

 

[Avinoam73]

idk man i'll send it to a guy i know to check him for good. i can't do all of this testing myself. say, is it bad that i'm playing on such high temps? i get 69 on BF3 so should i stop playing until i get a new cooler or re paste the fan? oh! and will a Noctua NH-L12 keep my CPU cool even on high OC (4.5+)?

 

[Avinoam73]

oh! and another question: is there a way to up the max cooler height on my GX500? like just getting a new "door" or whatever? there must be a way.

 

[chris987]

the noctua mentioned is a good prroduct but not quite appropriate for what you intend to do. you have great o/c ability and you are so eager to explore it, so you really need something really good for your 125tdp cpu. since tower coolers arent an option, liquid cooling is the way to go.!

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Noctua/NH-L12/6.html


currently Noctua NH-L12 has a price of 65$

this would be a lot better

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cpKcf7/by_merchant/
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $79.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-07 02:40 EST-0500