Overclocking my AMD Piledriver FX-8350

stanny2k

stanny2k

stanny2k

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Morning guys,

So, as the post title states, I'm looking to overclock my AMD Piledriver FX-8350.

I've seen it's possible to safely go up to around 4.0-4.2Ghz.

PC Specs:
CPU: AMD Piledriver FX-8350
Mobo: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 990FX
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz
Heatsink: Noctua NH-D14
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5870
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus

I've heard the motherboard isn't the easiest to overclock, but I'm guessing most of the settings are pretty much the same.

I guess what I'm asking for is if anyone would be able to help me with overclocking? I've had very little experience in the past with it, but I'm aware of the basic things you need to do after Overclocking like running an a couple of hour of Prime95 to check temps/stability.

Just looking for a bit more information around how to start increasing my CPU Ghz safely & slowly.

I'm also looking to be purchasing the Antec Kuhler H2O 920 or the highly anticipated Swiftech H220 CPU coolers by the end of the month.

Hope someone can help.
Thank you. Ryan
 
By default the 8350 runs at 4.0 and turbo's up to 4.2 :)

You should safely hit 4.6-4.7 with the NH-D14, it's on a par with the 920 (and better in most scenarios), from the reviews I have read the only time a 920 pulls ahead is under extreme conditions, and only then by a couple of degrees.

For ease of over clocking I would focus on multiplier over clocking, as for what to change I recommend reading reviews, a lot of people say disable C states, up vcore etc, personally I do things the opposite way around. Find the maximum stability on auto settings, then manually dial things in from there.

Chris.
 
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Chrisoldinho said:
By default the 8350 runs at 4.0 and turbo's up to 4.2 :)
Click to expand...

Oh yes of course. I've just changed from the 3.6 so getting confused here.

Chrisoldinho said:
You should safely hit 4.6-4.7 with the NH-D14, it's on a par with the 920 (and better in most scenarios), from the reviews I have read the only time a 920 pulls ahead is under extreme conditions, and only then by a couple of degrees.
Click to expand...

Oh really?

Do you have any tips on where I'd start? I've not really done an overclock before.

Thanks
 
Ok, so after reading a few guides I've decided to give it a slow steady bash.

Start CPU Voltage > 1.3375v
Start CPU Multip > x20.0 4000Mhz

Increase 1 (11:47-11:57) - Failed after 10 minutes

1.3500v
x20.5 4100Mhz

Increase 2 (12:02-12:35) - Passed

1.3625v
x20.5 4100Mhz

Increase 3 (12:40 - 12:41) - Failed pretty much straight away.

1.3625
x21.0 4200Mhz

Increase 4 (12:45 - 12:48) - Failed

1.3750
x21.0 4200Mhz

As you can see, it seems to be failing at pretty low increases, not exactly sure why?

This is the error I'm seeing in Prime95:
ERROR: ILLEGAL SUMOUT
Possible hardware failure, consult readme.txt file, restarting test.

I've not touched my HB Multiplier as I don't really know much about this. Although what I have read it's more of a tweaker once you've found a stable overclock...... Not sure how right I am there mind...
 
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I have the extreme 4

If you go into the bios and where the over clocking bit is
Change it to OC MODE
There a drop down box will appear with pre determined overclock values up to 50% :)
 
audi-matt said:
I have the extreme 4

If you go into the bios and where the over clocking bit is
Change it to OC MODE
There a drop down box will appear with pre determined overclock values up to 50% :)
Click to expand...

And you've used those auto settings to overclock? Did you not do it manually with the multiplier?

With those OCMode settings, are you required to increase the CPU Voltage? Or is that part of the OCMode?

Is there any other settings you changed to help? I've been told turning the power savings/cool n quiet etc. settings off as well.
 
Turn off cool n quiet etc
And just set the oc mode to 5% then 10% so on
Just set it then stress test it then move it up 5% more

I have a fx4100 3.6ghz clocked to 4.1 on stock cooling but mine is a htpc and never runs more than 50% CPU usage

Didn't adjust multiplyer or voltage as oc mode automatically does it for ya
 
audi-matt said:
Turn off cool n quiet etc
And just set the oc mode to 5% then 10% so on
Just set it then stress test it then move it up 5% more

I have a fx4100 3.6ghz clocked to 4.1 on stock cooling but mine is a htpc and never runs more than 50% CPU usage

Didn't adjust multiplyer or voltage as oc mode automatically does it for ya
Click to expand...

Done all of this.

It's failing at 5% (4.2Ghz)... The first increase..
Jesus. This is really starting to get on my nerves. I can't understand why it's not working..
 
stanny2k said:
Excellent.

Simply excellent.

Thanks for saving me punching it mate. Cause that was the next step ;-)
Click to expand...

I've had mine @ 4.6 but after about 30 seconds it drops to half speed as the VRM's overheat.

I have spent hours multiple different ways to get it higher but it always hits a brick wall.

You won't see much gain from 4.2 to 4.6 anyway really
 
passey89 said:
I've had mine @ 4.6 but after about 30 seconds it drops to half speed as the VRM's overheat.

I have spent hours multiple different ways to get it higher but it always hits a brick wall.

You won't see much gain from 4.2 to 4.6 anyway really
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying mate. You saved my major headache! :D
 
Fyi I had the antec 620 water cooler and unless your low on space its no better than a high end air cooler.

My advice would be save up and get a custom water loop
 
Yeh I've been looking at the custom water loop!

My next two buys are GPU (Feb) and then I'm going to look at CPU cooling... But if I'm honest, if I can't overclock then I dont see much point...

My system idles at 7* (average) at the moment.
And it runs at 45* (max) from 12 hours on Prime95

So as you can see, cooling isnt really an issue to be honest. Just looking for an excuse to spend money lol
 
With my cpu @ 4.2 and gpu overlooked my cpu hits about 35c whilst gaming and gpu goes to 45c max.

Its good as all my fans are running at their lowest speed so its quieter
 
I just swapped out my FX8150 to a FX8350 today and this is what i have managed so far and its stable:

2659361.png


Tried to go for 4.8Ghz i'd have to push the voltage a fair bit higher than im comfortable with, i'm going to try go for 4.7 at some point but not right now.
 
MNA24 said:
I just swapped out my FX8150 to a FX8350 today and this is what i have managed so far and its stable:

2659361.png


Tried to go for 4.8Ghz i'd have to push the voltage a fair bit higher than im comfortable with, i'm going to try go for 4.7 at some point but not right now.
Click to expand...

is that prime stable?
 
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