Question regarding AMD FX 8350 4GHz OC'd to 4.4GHz

[Tschrom]

I have an 8350 that I recently started overclocking to 4.4GHz from it's base 4, and my voltage increased to 1.35V from the Stock/auto voltage (I can't remember exactly what it is, but I think it was hovering around 1.32-1.33V). The OC is based on CPU Bus Frequency increase, not CPU Ratio as it seems to be wholly unstable whenever I adjust the Ratio for some reason I can't figure out. I do have a Hyper 212 Evo cooler (due to budget constraints) with a push/pull setup on the radiator. So I'm not on the stock cooler.

At idle, my CPU temp gets down to ~28-30C, after running Unigine Heaven for about an hour, my temps seem to hover ~50C. (Considering there's no water cooling, that doesn't seem terrible). I have this setup installed on an ASUS M5A99FX Pro R2.0 Mobo, and most power reducing and sound reducing settings shut off in the UEFI BIOS since based on research these setting tend to destabilize CPU overclocks.

Now running Prime95, unsurprisingly on Air Cooling, runs my temps up REALLY quick to the shutoff point (80C on my board). And the Physics test on Fire Strike only pushed it up to ~57C. Obviously, setting the voltage back to auto will probably help a bit with temps since more volts equals more heat, but I have a few questions.

1. Do you (whoever has input) think this would this be stable if I lower the CPU voltage back to the stock/auto voltage? Everything is stable now, and I don't want to take a chance on making this unstable by providing improper voltages, but I do want to maintain good temps.

2. If I leave it at this, is the Prime95 test a good indication of how this would behave in a CPU heavy game? I know games are nowhere near as CPU intensive as Prime95 torturing your system, but I want to be reasonably sure and not burn out my CPU.

3. Would the Unigine Heaven benchmark or the Fire Strike Physics/CPU benchmark be a better indicator of how my CPU will work with games? If not, is there a good benchmark for CPU game performance that isn't an absolute torture test like Prime95 is?

 

[MeanMachine41]

Hi Tschrom

I can give you settings to try for your OC if you want however it means clearing CMOS back to default as I don't know what changes you have made in Bios. OCing using the CPU Ratio multiplier is best.
4.4GHz on Air Cooling is about the limit for your FX-8350.

Your quite correct, Prime95 will torture your CPU and still it may crash as no subsystem tests are available for RAM or GPU.. I only use it for a 10min initial test using small FFT. You should use a real world tester like ROG Realbench and if you can pass the test in Realbench then your Stable.

 

[Tschrom]

Hi Tschrom

I can give you settings to try for your OC if you want however it means clearing CMOS back to default as I don't know what changes you have made in Bios. OCing using the CPU Ratio multiplier is best.
4.4GHz on Air Cooling is about the limit for your FX-8350.

Your quite correct, Prime95 will torture your CPU and still it may crash as no subsystem tests are available for RAM or GPU.. I only use it for a 10min initial test using small FFT. You should use a real world tester like ROG Realbench and if you can pass the test in Realbench then your Stable.

I'm very much open to suggestions of overclocking using CPU Ratio that's stable. My Mobo seems to hate and often fails in applying any Ratio OCs other than what I can make it automatically do by setting the OC Tuner or Setting the Mobo to Performance mode in the EZ Mode Screen on the BIOS. (And I think one of those uses the Bus not the Ratio.)

I will also give the RealBench a try. Hopefully that gives me a more real world benchmark than Prime95. I'm not trying to do rendering while editing videos and creating video games. I shouldn't stress the CPU anywhere near as much as Prime95s Small FFTs test. Holy hell that thing is like putting your CPU on an open fire while tied to a stake and whipping the thing to go faster.

I have my current OC setting saved, as my Mobo allows you to save overclock settings on the CMOS on about 10 different slots for later use and I'm only using 2 slots, so I can set it back to default for testing and just load up my old setting if it doesn't work. (At least, I'm pretty sure that's how that works.)

 

[MeanMachine41]

Ok its best to update your Bios to latest version 2501 if not already done so for better system stability and to addres some new USB devices.
Clear CMOS prior to update and you can use a USB stick in the rear IO panel for Bios flash. Should be in your MB Manual for instructions.

Go into Bios >Advanced menu>Ai overclock tuner. Set this to D.O.C.P and it will auto set parameters for CPU and bus ratio in conjunction with the DIMMs you are using then boot into Windows.

This is not an OC but we need to establish a base line stress test at stock frequency.

Download HWMonitor and AIDA64 and put them on your desktop side by side.
Go to the Tools menu in AIDA64 and run the stress test for 10mins on CPU, FPU and Cache.
Take screen shots at the 10min mark and stop the test if temps go above 80C.

Please report MAX core temps and Rail Voltages from HWMonitor during the test.

Once we know this info we can OC in steps.If everything checks OK then try for a 4.6GHz OC.

Go into your Bios again,>Ai Overclock Tuner> set to manual.
Try for 4.6GHz OC.>CPU Ratio>use the + or - keys to adjust to 23. Base clock is 200 set to 23 = 200x23=4600MHz.
Disable AMD turbo core technology.
Set CPU Core voltage to 1.375V.
Next disable Cool and Quiet.>Advanced menu>CPU config.
Go back to Ai Overclock Tuner.
Check that your RAM is set to your XMP profile and it matches your DIMMs frequency.
Next enable CPU LLC. Not sure what settings you have.? This will help the CPU at the higher OCs to prevent voltage droop.
It may be in % or a number or just have it set to enable. Go high but not too high.
Leave the rest on Auto for now, Save and exit then reboot the system.

Typical OC settings:

Overclock Tuner - Manual
AMD Turbo CORE Technology - Disabled
DRAM 1600Mhz @ 1.5v
CPU/NB Frequency - 2200Mhz
HT Link Speed - 2600Mhz
CPU & NB Voltage - Manual Mode
CPU/NB Manual Voltage - Set between 1.25v-1.3v (Increases stability for high overclocks)
CPU LLC - Ultra High (75%)
CPU/NB LLC - Auto
CPU Current Capability - 130%
CPU/NB Current Capability - 130%
DRAM Current Capability 130%
Cool'n'Quiet - Disabled
C1E - Disabled
SVM - Disabled unless running Virtual Machines
Core C6 State - Disabled
Do not disable (APM) Application Power Management, and don't enable HPC Mode.

 

[Tschrom]

Ok its best to update your Bios to latest version 2501 if not already done so for better system stability and to addres some new USB devices.
Clear CMOS prior to update and you can use a USB stick in the rear IO panel for Bios flash. Should be in your MB Manual for instructions.

Go into Bios >Advanced menu>Ai overclock tuner. Set this to D.O.C.P and it will auto set parameters for CPU and bus ratio in conjunction with the DIMMs you are using then boot into Windows.

This is not an OC but we need to establish a base line stress test at stock frequency.

Download HWMonitor and AIDA64 and put them on your desktop side by side.
Go to the Tools menu in AIDA64 and run the stress test for 10mins on CPU, FPU and Cache.
Take screen shots at the 10min mark and stop the test if temps go above 80C.

Please report MAX core temps and Rail Voltages from HWMonitor during the test.

Once we know this info we can OC in steps.If everything checks OK then try for a 4.6GHz OC.

Go into your Bios again,>Ai Overclock Tuner> set to manual.
Try for 4.6GHz OC.>CPU Ratio>use the + or - keys to adjust to 23. Base clock is 200 set to 23 = 200x23=4600MHz.
Disable AMD turbo core technology.
Set CPU Core voltage to 1.375V.
Next disable Cool and Quiet.>Advanced menu>CPU config.
Go back to Ai Overclock Tuner.
Check that your RAM is set to your XMP profile and it matches your DIMMs frequency.
Next enable CPU LLC. Not sure what settings you have.? This will help the CPU at the higher OCs to prevent voltage droop.
It may be in % or a number or just have it set to enable. Go high but not too high.
Leave the rest on Auto for now, Save and exit then reboot the system.

Typical OC settings:

Overclock Tuner - Manual
AMD Turbo CORE Technology - Disabled
DRAM 1600Mhz @ 1.5v
CPU/NB Frequency - 2200Mhz
HT Link Speed - 2600Mhz
CPU & NB Voltage - Manual Mode
CPU/NB Manual Voltage - Set between 1.25v-1.3v (Increases stability for high overclocks)
CPU LLC - Ultra High (75%)
CPU/NB LLC - Auto
CPU Current Capability - 130%
CPU/NB Current Capability - 130%
DRAM Current Capability 130%
Cool'n'Quiet - Disabled
C1E - Disabled
SVM - Disabled unless running Virtual Machines
Core C6 State - Disabled
Do not disable (APM) Application Power Management, and don't enable HPC Mode.

Testing now, will post results momentarily.

 

[Tschrom]

Ok its best to update your Bios to latest version 2501 if not already done so for better system stability and to addres some new USB devices.
Clear CMOS prior to update and you can use a USB stick in the rear IO panel for Bios flash. Should be in your MB Manual for instructions.

Go into Bios >Advanced menu>Ai overclock tuner. Set this to D.O.C.P and it will auto set parameters for CPU and bus ratio in conjunction with the DIMMs you are using then boot into Windows.

This is not an OC but we need to establish a base line stress test at stock frequency.

Download HWMonitor and AIDA64 and put them on your desktop side by side.
Go to the Tools menu in AIDA64 and run the stress test for 10mins on CPU, FPU and Cache.
Take screen shots at the 10min mark and stop the test if temps go above 80C.

Please report MAX core temps and Rail Voltages from HWMonitor during the test.

Once we know this info we can OC in steps.If everything checks OK then try for a 4.6GHz OC.

Go into your Bios again,>Ai Overclock Tuner> set to manual.
Try for 4.6GHz OC.>CPU Ratio>use the + or - keys to adjust to 23. Base clock is 200 set to 23 = 200x23=4600MHz.
Disable AMD turbo core technology.
Set CPU Core voltage to 1.375V.
Next disable Cool and Quiet.>Advanced menu>CPU config.
Go back to Ai Overclock Tuner.
Check that your RAM is set to your XMP profile and it matches your DIMMs frequency.
Next enable CPU LLC. Not sure what settings you have.? This will help the CPU at the higher OCs to prevent voltage droop.
It may be in % or a number or just have it set to enable. Go high but not too high.
Leave the rest on Auto for now, Save and exit then reboot the system.

Typical OC settings:

Overclock Tuner - Manual
AMD Turbo CORE Technology - Disabled
DRAM 1600Mhz @ 1.5v
CPU/NB Frequency - 2200Mhz
HT Link Speed - 2600Mhz
CPU & NB Voltage - Manual Mode
CPU/NB Manual Voltage - Set between 1.25v-1.3v (Increases stability for high overclocks)
CPU LLC - Ultra High (75%)
CPU/NB LLC - Auto
CPU Current Capability - 130%
CPU/NB Current Capability - 130%
DRAM Current Capability 130%
Cool'n'Quiet - Disabled
C1E - Disabled
SVM - Disabled unless running Virtual Machines
Core C6 State - Disabled
Do not disable (APM) Application Power Management, and don't enable HPC Mode.

Here are the results after 12 minutes:

As what seems usual, the AMD Direct CPU Temp sensors are completely out of wack, but the Mobo Temp Settings are probably closer to realistic.

 

[Tschrom]

Per instructions, I set my OC to 4.6 and everything seemed to load just fine and my idle temps stand at ~30C. Should I run the stability test again?

**Edit: Scratch that, at 4.6GHz my idle temps stand at 26C.

Testing with stability test on AIDA64, will post results at 4.6GHz momentarily. (Keep in mind, I keep the room this PC is in at probably 60-70F give or take, 75F at most.)

Here are the results at 4.6 (seems my system is more stable that I thought and I'm just a moron in terms of overclocking...):

Retesting at my comfortable clock of 4.4GHz using Ratio and the Typical settings. I appreciate the assistance in this.

I will let you know if my system remains stable using 4.4 GHz with the Typical Settings you've provided.


***** Edit again: Actually, my system seems to not have much trouble with 4.6GHz based on tests. Can I leave it at 4.6 with my results? Or should I back it down a bit to the 4.4 I was using?

Also, just FYI, you aren't seeing my Chassis Fan PMW because I have them setup through my case's (Corsair Carbide Series Spec-ALPHA) front panel speed controller, which is setup directly to the PSU.

 

[MeanMachine41]

OK your OC is fine after 10mins at 4.6GHz although temps did not level out. Extend the test for 30mins to be sure.

Ideal temperatures are 10-15C above ambient room temperature and 60-65C under load. Your not likely to ever load the system to the MAX as you have with AIDA64.

I like your results except for a slight under-voltage on the 3.3V rail. Just bear this in mind should the system become unstable.
Now drop your Core Voltage in small increments. Try around 1.28V which should drop temps a little.
If the 4.6GHz OC fails then raise Core voltage slowly until it succeeds. That will be your MAX safe OC.

Save a profile in Bios at 4.6GHz and another at 4.4GHz. It will now depend on weather conditions. I keep a lower profile for summer conditions as it can climb to 36C ambient where I am.

 

[Tschrom]

OK your OC is fine after 10mins at 4.6GHz although temps did not level out. Extend the test for 30mins to be sure.

Ideal temperatures are 10-15C above ambient room temperature and 60-65C under load. Your not likely to ever load the system to the MAX as you have with AIDA64.

I like your results except for a slight under-voltage on the 3.3V rail. Just bear this in mind should the system become unstable.
Now drop your Core Voltage in small increments. Try around 1.28V which should drop temps a little.
If the 4.6GHz OC fails then raise Core voltage slowly until it succeeds. That will be your MAX safe OC.

Save a profile in Bios at 4.6GHz and another at 4.4GHz. It will now depend on weather conditions. I keep a lower profile for summer conditions as it can climb to 36C ambient where I am.

Alright, so 1.28V wasn't stable, AIDA failed in about 30 seconds. Raised voltage to 1.3V and we'll test there next. Also, my voltage on the +3.3V Rail show 3.216V on AIDA, higher than HWMonitor but still a little low. However I would think that this may be the Mobo sensors getting bad readings. From what I understand, the Mobo doesn't always read voltages well and the best way to test is with a multimeter directly from the PSU. (Fortunately, I have a backup PSU if I need it.)

WIll post results of 1.3V test soon, standby.

***EDIT: The 1.3V setting survived for 15 minutes and never got above 54C, but it ended up failing. Upped the voltage to 1.325V and will test again and post results if my CPU makes it without any hardware failures.

*****EDIT again: So I ran AIDA64 Stability test for a little over an hour at 4.6GHz and 1.325V without any hardware failures and temps never even hit 60C. Results are below. Seems I may have found a good, stable 4.6GHz OC with Air Cooling.

Mind you, it is winter and the room is kept quite cool, but still, I think I like the results.

 

[MeanMachine41]

OK your OC is fine after 10mins at 4.6GHz although temps did not level out. Extend the test for 30mins to be sure.

Ideal temperatures are 10-15C above ambient room temperature and 60-65C under load. Your not likely to ever load the system to the MAX as you have with AIDA64.

I like your results except for a slight under-voltage on the 3.3V rail. Just bear this in mind should the system become unstable.
Now drop your Core Voltage in small increments. Try around 1.28V which should drop temps a little.
If the 4.6GHz OC fails then raise Core voltage slowly until it succeeds. That will be your MAX safe OC.

Save a profile in Bios at 4.6GHz and another at 4.4GHz. It will now depend on weather conditions. I keep a lower profile for summer conditions as it can climb to 36C ambient where I am.

Alright, so 1.28V wasn't stable, AIDA failed in about 30 seconds. Raised voltage to 1.3V and we'll test there next. Also, my voltage on the +3.3V Rail show 3.216V on AIDA, higher than HWMonitor but still a little low. However I would think that this may be the Mobo sensors getting bad readings. From what I understand, the Mobo doesn't always read voltages well and the best way to test is with a multimeter directly from the PSU. (Fortunately, I have a backup PSU if I need it.)

WIll post results of 1.3V test soon, standby.

***EDIT: The 1.3V setting survived for 15 minutes and never got above 54C, but it ended up failing. Upped the voltage to 1.325V and will test again and post results if my CPU makes it without any hardware failures.

*****EDIT again: So I ran AIDA64 Stability test for a little over an hour at 4.6GHz and 1.325V without any hardware failures and temps never even hit 60C. Results are below. Seems I may have found a good, stable 4.6GHz OC with Air Cooling.

Mind you, it is winter and the room is kept quite cool, but still, I think I like the results.

You have a good OC Tschrom at 4.6GHz and tested for over 1hr that's an excellent result with temps under control. Congrats and enjoy.

 

[Tschrom]

OK your OC is fine after 10mins at 4.6GHz although temps did not level out. Extend the test for 30mins to be sure.

Ideal temperatures are 10-15C above ambient room temperature and 60-65C under load. Your not likely to ever load the system to the MAX as you have with AIDA64.

I like your results except for a slight under-voltage on the 3.3V rail. Just bear this in mind should the system become unstable.
Now drop your Core Voltage in small increments. Try around 1.28V which should drop temps a little.
If the 4.6GHz OC fails then raise Core voltage slowly until it succeeds. That will be your MAX safe OC.

Save a profile in Bios at 4.6GHz and another at 4.4GHz. It will now depend on weather conditions. I keep a lower profile for summer conditions as it can climb to 36C ambient where I am.

Alright, so 1.28V wasn't stable, AIDA failed in about 30 seconds. Raised voltage to 1.3V and we'll test there next. Also, my voltage on the +3.3V Rail show 3.216V on AIDA, higher than HWMonitor but still a little low. However I would think that this may be the Mobo sensors getting bad readings. From what I understand, the Mobo doesn't always read voltages well and the best way to test is with a multimeter directly from the PSU. (Fortunately, I have a backup PSU if I need it.)

WIll post results of 1.3V test soon, standby.

***EDIT: The 1.3V setting survived for 15 minutes and never got above 54C, but it ended up failing. Upped the voltage to 1.325V and will test again and post results if my CPU makes it without any hardware failures.

*****EDIT again: So I ran AIDA64 Stability test for a little over an hour at 4.6GHz and 1.325V without any hardware failures and temps never even hit 60C. Results are below. Seems I may have found a good, stable 4.6GHz OC with Air Cooling.

Mind you, it is winter and the room is kept quite cool, but still, I think I like the results.

You have a good OC Tschrom at 4.6GHz and tested for over 1hr that's an excellent result with temps under control. Congrats and enjoy.

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[MeanMachine41]

Your Welcome Tschrom