Trying to overclock my AMD FX8350

[Sinplex]

Lets start off with my PC specs:
*I use AMD Overdrive to OC*

AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor
Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard
Patriot Viper 3 Low Profile Red 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Corsair CSM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card

Currently, I have been able to overclock my computer from 4.0GHz to 4.4GHz at 1.3875 V (CPU VID) and then I kept my NB VID at 1.1625. This has been stable and has run great; however, I would like to overclock my processor even further. Whenever I try to go past 4.4GHz my screen freezes during a stability test and then I must restart my computer. I would like some advice on how to further my processor to around 4.8GHz and please fully explain how to keep it as safe as possible! Also I don't understand the difference between CPU VID and NB VID so any info on that could give me some benefit.

 

[CountMike]

CPU VID and NB VID are starting voltages for respective parts. For higher OC than 4.4 you may need higher voltage.
AOD doesn't let you go past what it considers safe so if you want real OC you have to do it thru BIOS, not SW. It's advisable to turn off all power saving and turbo modes while OCing and testing so it doesn't go on changing settings.

 

[burgessanthony]

Yep^

And it's not guaranteed you'll hit 4.8. All silicon different. You may have hit the max

 

[Sinplex]

CPU VID and NB VID are starting voltages for respective parts. For higher OC than 4.4 you may need higher voltage.
AOD doesn't let you go past what it considers safe so if you want real OC you have to do it thru BIOS, not SW. It's advisable to turn off all power saving and turbo modes while OCing and testing so it doesn't go on changing settings.

Alright, I'll give BIOS a try. Do you know of any certain tutorial that is most fit for my circumstance? Also I was able to fine tune my OC in AOD fairly easily by changing voltage and MHz and then run a stress test right after. If I were to use bios, is there a stress test right in the bios?

 

[Sinplex]

Yep^

And it's not guaranteed you'll hit 4.8. All silicon different. You may have hit the max

I have read that AMD FX 8350 can hit points farther than 5.0 GHz whether that is in a controlled environment, I am not sure, but what do you mean all silicon is different? I have heard that all cpu's are different even with the exact same specs, is that what you mean?

 

[burgessanthony]

Yes. no overclocking is guaranteed.

 

[Sinplex]

Yes. no overclocking is guaranteed.

Luckily I just was able to run a OC that is at 4.7GHz at low temps. Im going to run stress tests now!

 

[Sinplex]

CPU VID and NB VID are starting voltages for respective parts. For higher OC than 4.4 you may need higher voltage.
AOD doesn't let you go past what it considers safe so if you want real OC you have to do it thru BIOS, not SW. It's advisable to turn off all power saving and turbo modes while OCing and testing so it doesn't go on changing settings.

I went through BIOS and OC my cpu to a 4.7ghz that is stable. If I were to run into any temp issues (which I doubt because I have water cooled system) how would I handle those temp issues? Immediately turn off my computer?

 

[CountMike]

It's very likely it will throttle down or shut down before any terminally critical temperature is reached. Just go in small steps and check all the parameters during testing.
As for "Silicone lottery" you have to know how chips are graded.
Whole of FX 83xxx series are same architecture and made on same machines and of same materials but because of production tolerances don't come out identical. Even before core element (the real chip) is placed into package (whole processor with pins and everything) they are tested and by results of that testing they are microcoded for it's final designation. That's how it ends up being just plain 8300 or 8320, 8350 or 8370 for instance or maybe even 9xxx. Even within each group there's finer graduation and it's reflected by it's "Stepping number" with "C0" being best of the batch and with most OC potential.