"FX6 SPEC OPS" AMD FX-6 6300 Bundle - Overclocking for long renders

Jamieoz · 22 Feb 2013 at 12:19

Hi there, i'm kind of new here but have lurked for a while.

I bought the "FX6 SPEC OPS" AMD FX-6 6300 overclocked bundle just before Christmas because my previous potato-based setup was stopping me from getting work completed (and the occasional gaming session in between). I am looking to overclock the processor more if possible for overnight 3d rendering which is the only feasible way to get my work done. At the moment here's what's going on:

-AMD Bulldozer FX-6 6300 Black Edition 3.50GHz with OverClockers OC running at 4.40GHz
-Temperatures after 12 hours of rendering (constant full system load)
CPU: 58
MB: 34
VCores: 50-55
All the rest below 40

I am only using the cooling that came with the bundle; the Alpenfohn K2 Mount Doom CPU Cooler and 4 case fans. I am hoping to squeeze some more power out of the CPU but after my last dabble in overclocking 4 years ago ending in disaster i have been living under a rock concerning overclocking. I've read a few threads but whether its my lack of smarts or repressed memories of my old rig dying i am struggling to know where to begin.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[edit] Forgot to add, my main concern in doing this myself with the research i have done is because i am confused about voltages and if any other hardware needs overclocking to work in conjunction with the CPU; RAM for instance.

Jamieoz · 22 Feb 2013 at 14:09

Hey nkata thanks for the response. I thought as much. I have looked around the BIOS to set fan speeds, but is there a way to set CPU fan speeds from the desktop so i could adjust them on the fly? i think that would allow me to to tweak them more efficiently.

Hi 8pack, the Vcore voltage is 1.356 and the CPU NB is 1.300. I haven't adjusted these so i presume they are the standard for OC overclock profile?

[EDIT] I've never had a MB with so meany features before like TurboCore (turned off by default) and Core C6 State (turned on by default) so i keep thinking i am missing out on some small benefits because i haven't clicked a button. I am going to get on the research after work tonight so i will hope to be a bit more up to date

Jamieoz · 22 Feb 2013 at 14:46

A quick followup to nkata!
I have adjusted my fans to a higher RPM at a lower temp and will see what the peak temperatures are after a 3 hour render tonight. They were set to turbo but i decided to customise them to run full RPM during renders. I know they will die sooner this way but if they can significantly reduce CPU temps during overnight renders then its a price i'm willing to pay, thanks for your help on that!

Jamieoz · 22 Feb 2013 at 14:55

I've got 16GB GeIL Black Dragon (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel. when you say higher multi with the volts, does that mean upping the CPU volts? or upping the CPU multiplier whilst keeping the same voltage?

Jamieoz · 22 Feb 2013 at 16:28

Thanks for the assistance guys.

8pack, i tried increasing the multiplier by 1, from 20 to 21. This caused blue screens between Press Del for BIOS and loading windows, i'm not sure how i blundered that one. I then tried adjusting the bus clock from 216 and only managed to get it up to 218 before windows was failing to load... Is this system instability or is there something i have been missing?

Thanks for your time gents.

Jamieoz · 22 Feb 2013 at 16:46

Nice one! system starts up okay, i'll do a 3 hour render session and see if it remains stable and within a safe temp zone. I'll also look into better cooling before i play with the volts.

Should i try small increases in a particular area until instability again? or just play it safe and be grateful for the current OC?

[EDIT] Using new fan settings after the 3 hour render session the cpu temp stabalised at 52 and the V-cores at 51 and 53... is this enough headroom to consider upping voltages?