overclocking an fx-8320 on asrock 970 pro3 r2.0

[Osoclocker69]

hello fellow tom's hardware people.
i was wondering if it will be a good idea to overclock my amd fx-8320? will it void my warranty if i do overclock? here are some of my specs:
> mobo: asrock 970 pro3 r2.0
> cpu: amd fx-8320
> cooler: deepcool gammaxx 300
> gpu: msi twinfrozr iii 7950 3gb
> psu: corsair cx 600w 80+

if you guys recommend or say it would be ok to overclock my cpu at least by 5% and what cpu fan speeds should i use? and what temps would i be getting or be aiming to get?

 

[Jaseb87]

Here is a couple photos for you, on the photo of the inside of rig the green is my homemade vrm heatsink and it works wonders

Well temps with the h100i depends on the overclock as of the voltage increase but currently i am trying different things and i am @5GHZ with 4 cores disabled and i get core temps underload of about 50c and now socket temps of about 44c

 

[awesomenessreborn]

Im really curious about this heat sink you made! Looks nice! what material, size and what does it cover on the motherboard?
Where exactly does the first fan point to?
Benchmarks and temps would be amazing of the 5ghz with 4 cores

 

[Jaseb87]

Basically i was clearing out my gramps garage and he had lots and lots of different types of pc parts and i happened to find the green heatsink, not sure what it was for but it was about 7" long and 4" wide so i cut it with a hacksaw to fit over the VRM chips, now because i didn't have thermal pads i used artic mx-4 paste and a tiny tiny dab of superglue to hold in place 😉 The fan you can see facing the motherboard is there to blow air directly on the VRM heatsink and northbridge heatsink. I am still quite new to all this being as this is my first PC/RIG and i built it myself and first time overclocking, I can do benchmarks and temps but what program do i use...??

I normally use HW-monitor for temps but i don't have a bench mark program, i use P95 and OCCT to test for stability but to be honest i don't think there good programs from what i have read for FX series chips but i do not know.

 

[awesomenessreborn]

Oh okay that's a great idea! I will have to see if i can find some thermal paste or thermal pads for cheap.
Im just really curious about the single threaded performance since FX chips lack behind on that in comparison to intel solutions. Cinebench is a good place to start as it gives you a direct comparison and lets you pick between single thread and multitthread
Im wanting to overclock on my first gaming rig too 😛 If you check on the AMD site there is a "AMD FX Performance Tuning Guide" and it gives quite a good amount of detail about getting the most out of your CPU.
Without that fan could you get to 4.5ghz stable?

 

[Jaseb87]

yes you don't really need the fan i kust like to do what ever i can to keep temps down, i found that the vrm heatsink was enough on it's own but i found it fun modding so thats why i put a fan there and also on the backside of the motherboard to help with socket temps, i will have a look at cinebench and post results here shortly

 

[awesomenessreborn]

Yeah my socket temps can get quite high so i may need to ghetto mount a fan there but i will need to take a look at it. I don't really like the idea of drilling holes there.
Cinebench with max temps (cpu and socket) and voltage would be amazing!
I think if i up the cooling in my case overall i should be fine with only heatsinks of those areas.
Apologies in advance for scattered replies as different time zones 😛

 

[Jaseb87]

Well i ran cinebench not sure if these scores are good or not as never done this before but as it stands it says i am running 2 cores and 4 threads @5ghz here is results:

CPU = 398 temp hit 52c core and 48c socet voltage is 1.432 vcore
Single Thread= 119 48c core and 44c socket

Also i havent changed any of the bus speed, NB frequency or ht link speeds so i will need to look in to this more as perhaps that can gain us more speed..??

 

[awesomenessreborn]

Are you sure you have the right scores?
For reference here is a thread i found on cinebench scores that include the fx 8350
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/11/06/amd-fx-8350-review/3

Yes some of them well give larger gains and a finer tune for the overclock
http://sites.amd.com/us/documents/amd_fx_performance_tuning_guide.pdf

 

[Jaseb87]

I am not sure as i used cinebench r15..??

 

[Jaseb87]

ok i just used cinebench r11.5 like they showed and single core was 1.30

 

[awesomenessreborn]

Stock speeds the single score score is 1.1
Multicore is 6.9

I dont think 5ghz on 4 cores will benefit much because based on the architecture of the CPU, the cpu is actually 4 modules and 8 cores. so youre actually using 2 modules which is 4 cores (these cores share some cache or something) for not much better performance, higher heat output and power consumption.
Personally i would just overclock all the cpu cores to 4.5ghz and have them all run together.

 

[awesomenessreborn]

BTW what parts of the motherboard exactly did you heatsink?

 

[cjhudlin]

i dont know about you, but i have 970 pro3 r2 and i had stable clocks at 4.3ghz, for weeks, then i thought id give the auto tune a try. it stalled on 5ghz, and started falling at 4.9gig. so i set my clocks to 4.8, which it ran stable for a few days with no over heating. my vlotages were 1.475v on cpu. and had an fsb of 2.4gig. but just the other day i was about to play a game and it just stalled and shut off. i figured the bios had blown up, so id be careful

 

[Jaseb87]

Well i have been running 5ghz on 4 cores for a month now and temps don't exceed 47c while gaming playing BF4, i also lapped the cpu the other week and that helped slightly but i am happy where it is now so i am not gonna push it too much more until i get my custom loop sorted, was thinking of upgrading mobo to a asus 990fx board but we will see, i have also modded my case i now have a intake fan on side and still have exhaust on back of mobo, i also sprayed the case right up gotta love modding

 

[TheSmallCreeper]

Well, I also have 970 Pro3 r2.0 using a FX-8320 right now @stock@1.225 using a Hyper 420s (Hyper 212 more-less design)....
I used to overclock-undervoltage my CPU @4.0 Ghz @ 1.225 V using stock cooler....but after 3 weeks buying my new cooler and after about 16 hours of high CPU usage (Bf4,UE4...etc) my OC turned to unstable (2-4 min Prime95 Fatal Error), might due to poor VRM cooling....!!!

I am thinking of cutting my stock cooler(AMD one) in order to place small pieces over my VRMs to cool them using the air that comes out from my CPU cooler...

Dear Jaseb87, can you post a close pic of your homemade VRM heatsink..???

 

[Jaseb87]

Yeah i will try and do that for you

 

[TheSmallCreeper]

Yeah i will try and do that for you

Thank you..... To be more specific I would like to see the place where u have install them because there are some smaller like transistor chips next to them that I dont know if I have to cool them...

My case has perfect air-flow between the fan of my aftermarket cooler and thr rear fan but because there is no heatsink on VRM and the air goes over them without cooling them if I touch the left side of my case near to the CPU area I feel like VRMs are getting hotter then my CPU socket that according to my mobo sensor at full load goes up to 60 C (socket temp- not coretemp that goes up to 43 C)

 

[awesomenessreborn]

Well, I also have 970 Pro3 r2.0 using a FX-8320 right now @stock@1.225 using a Hyper 420s (Hyper 212 more-less design)....
I used to overclock-undervoltage my CPU @4.0 Ghz @ 1.225 V using stock cooler....but after 3 weeks buying my new cooler and after about 16 hours of high CPU usage (Bf4,UE4...etc) my OC turned to unstable (2-4 min Prime95 Fatal Error), might due to poor VRM cooling....!!!

I am thinking of cutting my stock cooler(AMD one) in order to place small pieces over my VRMs to cool them using the air that comes out from my CPU cooler...

Dear Jaseb87, can you post a close pic of your homemade VRM heatsink..???

Yeah i will try and do that for you

Thank you..... To be more specific I would like to see the place where u have install them because there are some smaller like transistor chips next to them that I dont know if I have to cool them...

My case has perfect air-flow between the fan of my aftermarket cooler and thr rear fan but because there is no heatsink on VRM and the air goes over them without cooling them if I touch the left side of my case near to the CPU area I feel like VRMs are getting hotter then my CPU socket that according to my mobo sensor at full load goes up to 60 C (socket temp- not coretemp that goes up to 43 C)

After some quick research asrock does not reccomend using anything but the stock cooler on this motherboard and pretty much any un-heatsinked vrm solution because of the lack of airflow.

These vrms get hot and actually benefit from the downward blowing air that the stock cooler supplies.

 

[TheSmallCreeper]

Yes .... I have also read that .... However, my goal is to install custom-homemade heatsinks over my VRM so my CPU cooler's fan (Hyper 412s) will be able to also help them stay cool.... What do you think???

 

[awesomenessreborn]

Personally i think a higher end motherboard is really sufficient for a stable overclock above 4.3ghz base clock. Putting these VRMs under more heat will just reduce the life time expectancy.

I know its sad news knowing that your motherboard isnt very overclocking friend but i know the feeling

 

[Okerlund Geneggren]

Personally i think a higher end motherboard is really sufficient for a stable overclock above 4.3ghz base clock. Putting these VRMs under more heat will just reduce the life time expectancy.

I know its sad news knowing that your motherboard isnt very overclocking friend but i know the feeling

http://xuanfei.cctv118.com/20081115/14.swf

 

[1051716]

There's a bit of a dilemma about the Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0, I have been told not to attempt any overclock with it (except for turning Turbo Core on which pushes it to 4.2 Ghz and Xboost).
Your motherboard is a M5A990FX as I can see from the signature and that's a 6+2 power phase motherboard, marginally better for overclocks.
The 970 pro3 has just 4+1 power phases and it's running an 8 core, so I wouldn't try anything higher than stock settings.

If anyone has more info about power phases/overclock on 970 chipset, please post your opinion.
I am interested about Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0 too as I am running an FX 8350 Stock settings - TX3 EVO Cooler.

I have the same board, and a 4gb r9 270x slightly oc'd. I'm running an fx 6300 that is stable at 4.6 Ghz. At idle, temps stay just under 30. Neither hyper pi nor prime 95 have brought temps past 58, and it only stays there momentarily then drops back and averages around 54. I wouldn't so much be worried about the power phase. It is important, but not as much for a small oc like you are proposing. I don't know the differences in power consumption between our gpu's, but I know your processor's TDP is 30 watts higher. If your gpu is a two 6 pin setup instead of one, I'd be more concerned with your psu being stressed and running hot. If it's just a 6 pin config you should be fine. Just keep your wiring clean so they don't obstruct your airflow circulation. Make sure you have adequate air flow, and run your stress tests. You should be able to obtain a much higher stable oc, just take your time.

 

[Tciceedude]

There's a bit of a dilemma about the Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0, I have been told not to attempt any overclock with it (except for turning Turbo Core on which pushes it to 4.2 Ghz and Xboost).
Your motherboard is a M5A990FX as I can see from the signature and that's a 6+2 power phase motherboard, marginally better for overclocks.
The 970 pro3 has just 4+1 power phases and it's running an 8 core, so I wouldn't try anything higher than stock settings.

If anyone has more info about power phases/overclock on 970 chipset, please post your opinion.
I am interested about Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0 too as I am running an FX 8350 Stock settings - TX3 EVO Cooler.

what is your motherboard??
and i am a noob but i don't understand this 6+2 or 4+1 power phase can yo please explain it to me?

I have the same motherboard you have, Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0 running an FX 8350.
Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0 is a 4+1 power phase motherboard.
The power phase thing is something I have been trying to understand from some weeks but still did not receive any detailed answers about.
Basically 8 cores cpu (for some reason) should be running on 6+2 (minimum) - 8+2 (suggested) power phase designed motherboard, and that is because of the amount of energy an 8 core consumes.
There is people saying that 4+1 power phases are not enough to run 8320 and 8350, even tough, if you look at the website: http://www.asrock.com/mb/cpu.asp?Model=970%20Pro3%20R2.0 you will notice that our board even if 4+1 supports officially both FX 8320 and 8350. Now the question is: does it support them in stock frequency or even with a little overclock? that I don't know. Unfortunatly.

The motherboard will run fine at stock speeds, my brothers pc that I set up has the same parts.

 

[cjhudlin]

There's a bit of a dilemma about the Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0, I have been told not to attempt any overclock with it (except for turning Turbo Core on which pushes it to 4.2 Ghz and Xboost).
Your motherboard is a M5A990FX as I can see from the signature and that's a 6+2 power phase motherboard, marginally better for overclocks.
The 970 pro3 has just 4+1 power phases and it's running an 8 core, so I wouldn't try anything higher than stock settings.

If anyone has more info about power phases/overclock on 970 chipset, please post your opinion.
I am interested about Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0 too as I am running an FX 8350 Stock settings - TX3 EVO Cooler.

what is your motherboard??
and i am a noob but i don't understand this 6+2 or 4+1 power phase can yo please explain it to me?

I have the same motherboard you have, Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0 running an FX 8350.
Asrock 970 pro3 r2.0 is a 4+1 power phase motherboard.
The power phase thing is something I have been trying to understand from some weeks but still did not receive any detailed answers about.
Basically 8 cores cpu (for some reason) should be running on 6+2 (minimum) - 8+2 (suggested) power phase designed motherboard, and that is because of the amount of energy an 8 core consumes.
There is people saying that 4+1 power phases are not enough to run 8320 and 8350, even tough, if you look at the website: http://www.asrock.com/mb/cpu.asp?Model=970%20Pro3%20R2.0 you will notice that our board even if 4+1 supports officially both FX 8320 and 8350. Now the question is: does it support them in stock frequency or even with a little overclock? that I don't know. Unfortunatly.

The motherboard will run fine at stock speeds, my brothers pc that I set up has the same parts.

stock clocks only

 

[Darkbreeze]

The fan you can see facing the motherboard is there to blow air directly on the VRM heatsink and northbridge heatsink.

I realize this thread is a few months old, but I came across it just today and after reading your notes it occurred to me that you ought to try your configuration with the VRM fan reversed. You want to pull the hot air off the heatsink which will allow fresh cool air to flow in, replacing the hot air you're pulling out with the fan. Just like a radiator on a car, you always want to suck the hot air out. Otherwise, all your doing is blowing hot air around and all over the place. You would probably notice a significant decrease in the temperature of your VRM and Northbridge. As another example, you never see a CPU fan that "blows" onto the cpu. They ALWAYS pull hot air off the heatsink. At least every single fan design that I've ever seen. The only time I've ever seen them blow on the heatsink is a push pull setup in which case you still have one fan drawing the heated air out of the equation.