PC Compatibility Problems.

[Jaytino]

I am in a situation where I don't know if it's my Motherboard or PSU or even both that is causing a problem with my CPU. Please keep in mind that I am kinda new to building computers.

My PC consists of:
CPU: FX 9370 8-core 4.4GHz
GPU: GeForce GTX 960 4GB
Motherboard: ASRock 960GM/U3S3 FX
PSU: ThermalTake 500W

I understand that the CPU that I picked is pretty powerful for my setup and would like to know if which part I should upgrade first because I am on a very tight budget right now and can only upgrade one part as of now.

 

[junkeymonkey]

is that chip even supported on that board ?? don't think so did you even check that first ??

http://asrock.com/mb/AMD/960GMU3S3%20FX/?cat=CPU

there are veary few boards that truly support the 220w chips [some claim to but really don't ]

[example ]

like beware of asus as well like from here

from specs '' Supports CPU up to 140 W ''
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/CROSSHAIR_V_FORMULA...

but shows 200w chips in the cpu list ??

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/CROSSHAIR_V_FORMULA...

hmmmmm........ don't be fooled as a lot are and end up with a mess [ I bet that baby gets to smoking at full load for any amount of time , cooling nightmare ]

good luck

 

[bob0011]

I ould need to know the problem your CPU is having to have a shot at knowing/finding out what my be the problem.

 

[junkeymonkey]

ya, its not supported on his board to start with

 

[Jaytino]

I ould need to know the problem your CPU is having to have a shot at knowing/finding out what my be the problem.

The only problem is that my computer seems a bit laggy and slow.

For example: When playing games, my FPS drops like crazy every 5-10 seconds.

Other than that, no other problems.

 

[junkeymonkey]

dude that board to start with I would not even exceed a 95w chip on it - all cpu's require bios support and why theres a ''supported cpu list'' for the board from asrock -- your lucky it even boots at all .. and a wonder it don't burn something up trying to feed that 220w to it that its not meant to do to start with

but you do as you feel is best

good luck

 

[bob0011]

Then it is probably as Junkeymonkey said that the board does not support the cpu and is struggling to give the CPU the amount of power required, thus causing the drops in FPS.

 

[RCFProd]

I'm suprised that the FX-9370 hasn't completely burned out your motherboard yet. This is dangerous and won't last you long. Immidiate replacement in either motherboard or processor recommended, or deal with the consequences.

 

[junkeymonkey]

I guess my ''explained'' answers that covered this were not goo enough ?? go figure

 

[Jaytino]

Now that I've made myself look like an idiot, I still need to know if I were to get a compatible motherboard (which I have already found) would my PSU be an issue considering it's 500w? I know it most likely is but just need to know for future references.

 

[RCFProd]

That's another thing, AMD recommends a power supply of 1000 watts for that CPU. Yours is half of that. I imagine you'd be fine with a quality 850 watts or better, but anything below that will also result in poor performance and not meant to used with such a power heavy CPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-9370 4.4GHz 8-Core OEM/Tray Processor (Purchased For $0.00)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $219.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-25 20:26 EST-0500

AMD recommended PSU:

Power Supply: EVGA 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $119.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-02-25 20:27 EST-0500

 

[g-unit1111]

is that chip even supported on that board ?? don't think so did you even check that first ??

http://asrock.com/mb/AMD/960GMU3S3%20FX/?cat=CPU

there are veary few boards that truly support the 220w chips [some claim to but really don't ]

[example ]

like beware of asus as well like from here

from specs '' Supports CPU up to 140 W ''
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/CROSSHAIR_V_FORMULA...

but shows 200w chips in the cpu list ??

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/CROSSHAIR_V_FORMULA...

hmmmmm........ don't be fooled as a lot are and end up with a mess [ I bet that baby gets to smoking at full load for any amount of time , cooling nightmare ]

good luck

One of the biggest problems with the 9370 as was stated is that it is a factory overclocked 8350. Any time you add voltage to a CPU, you will consume more power. That's overclocking 101. But this is where it gets tricky in that the 9370 is already overclocked and you're putting it on a motherboard that isn't rated for that purpose. But without knowing more about the particular system in question my personal feeling is the same as RCFProd is that I think the power supply might be the culprit more than anything. You're running a 220W CPU and a 120W GPU on a low quality 500W power supply. But this is also one of those rare cases where buying a new $120 PSU like the EVGA G2 may not be the solution. Or at least the most obvious solution. I'll check with the mod team and see what they say.

 

[Jaytino]

Since I understand that the motherboard is a huge factor with my problem, I am trying to spend the least amount of money possible. I was wondering what the lowest possible PSU I could use without having problems? I have been trying to do some research and I have seen a lot of people say that the AMD recommended 1000w is overkill and not necessary and would recommend at least a 600w but that seems pretty low. I also do not plan on trying to OC.

 

[g-unit1111]

Since I understand that the motherboard is a huge factor with my problem, I am trying to spend the least amount of money possible. I was wondering what the lowest possible PSU I could use without having problems? I have been trying to do some research and I have seen a lot of people say that the AMD recommended 1000w is overkill and not necessary and would recommend at least a 600w but that seems pretty low. I also do not plan on trying to OC.

Yeah 1000W is major overkill. Running a 9370 on a 760T isn't necessarily the best idea either because of the wattage rating of the CPU socket. I would look at getting a new motherboard first like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128859&cm_re=990fx-_-13-128-859-_-Product

Once you do that then you can determine whether or not to upgrade the power supply.

 

[junkeymonkey]

thanks for above

anyway you know if you look around just like here at toms you will see a lot of guys with them 220w chips and have nothing but issues even if they got the ''fully'' supported board for them

think why AMD went more watts standard watts on intel is around 85w and with all the energy savings /power is what they should be shooting for [more powerful part on less energy ]

to me the 220w chips were a novelty item only and not for any real everyday use - I mean really what was AMD thinking with that ?? [cooling seems the biggest thing next to stability ]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/all.html?refine=fx+9370

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/all.html?refine=fx+9590

for your asrock board this may be a good bet to use to me I think it would be a good fit on it [opinion]

''FX 8370E is only 95W so it will run cooler, it has great overclocking capabilities, the newest performance tweaks and the best binning AMD has to offer''

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-fx-8370e-cpu,3929-8.html

OUCH, there proud of it and priced to show they are -OUCH-

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd837ewmhkbox

maybe a 8320-E ? looks more in line

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd832ewmhkbox

and all supported under your boards cpu list under bios P1.40

good luck