Should I OC my FX-8350

[MART3R]

So I just recently upgraded to the AMD FX-8350 and I even have a 212 EVO to cool it. My question is: Is it worth overclocking? Will overclocking it decrease it's life span?
If so, what should I overclock it to without being too extreme?

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

FXs have unlocked multipliers so yes, overclock it. It will lower the lifespan and its a long process, but you get better performance.
How long do you intend to not get a new CPU for? It will probably last 7-8 years OCed.

 

[Hlsgsz]

So I just recently upgraded to the AMD FX-8350 and I even have a 212 EVO to cool it. My question is: Is it worth overclocking? Will overclocking it decrease it's life span?
If so, what should I overclock it to without being too extreme?

IF your MB can handle it, sure. One woudl think it obvious that you should state atleast your MB when asking aobut OC, no?

 

[amtseung]

The CPU can overclock. The CPU cooler is half decent. Theoretically, you should be able to squeeze a bit from that processor.

The real question is, do you have a motherboard good enough to handle the additional power requirement from overclocking? Which motherboard do you have? What power supply do you have? What else do you have in your system?

Storytime: I had an FX8320. Being a total novice at the time, I brazenly tried to overclock it on an inferior 970 chipset-based motherboard with 4phase power delivery. Within an hour, I had lit my motherboard on fire, and thankfully, had a CO2 fire extinguisher in the room next door. I still have my old charred PC case as a reminder not to do stupid things like that ever again.

 

[Arkstar]

Yes, overclocking is worth it. You will probably get a 5-10% increase in performance. And also yes, pumping higher clock rates and voltage through a CPU will decrease the lifespan. But no considerably. Instead of 10 years you may get only 8. Just make sure you have enough cooling for that hot chip and go for it!

 

[MART3R]

I want to have my CPU and MOBO (ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970) last for at least 5 years, I heared OCing can also affect your motherboard. Will my motherboard's lifespan be affected more than my CPU? Is there a recommended speed I can overclock it to without putting too much stress on everything?
I also have a 500 W 80+ WHITE PSU from EVGA and a Asus 960 strix.
And thanks for the patience, as you can probably tell I have little to no experience in overclocking.

 

[dudeman509]

Don't overclock on that motherboard. The VRM's barely support that chip at stock speeds as-is, and they are poorly cooled.

You'll probably end up getting an overclock for a short while before it throttles back speeds under any kind of load, defeating the entire purpose.

 

[Arkstar]

Your mobo will last 5 years. Overclocking doesn't shorten parts as much as people think it does. Also long as you're not trying to set any world records for overclocking, you board will last plenty long.

 

[amtseung]

ASUS m5a97? That's exactly the motherboard I lit on fire. Don't overclock on that motherboard, unless you also want to light your computer on fire.

That power supply would be adequate for a moderate~ish overclock. If you've overclocked that GTX960, you have even less overclocking headroom. Just keep in mind, you need exponentially more power for an increase in clock speed.

 

[Hlsgsz]

I want to have my CPU and MOBO (ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970) last for at least 5 years, I heared OCing can also affect your motherboard. Will my motherboard's lifespan be affected more than my CPU? Is there a recommended speed I can overclock it to without putting too much stress on everything?
I also have a 500 W 80+ WHITE PSU from EVGA and a Asus 960 strix.
And thanks for the patience, as you can probably tell I have little to no experience in overclocking.

It's like i suspected. Forget about overclockign on that MB. See the more above poster's rant about his own experience.