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Which AMD upgrade?

nitr0uk

nitr0uk

nitr0uk

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Joined
9 Feb 2009
Posts
516
Location
Essex
Hey guys, I have a Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P motherboard AMD AM3 socket system with a Phenom II X3 720 CPU and was considering an upgrade. However I'm not sure what would be the best choice?

Any help is appreciated.
 
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No I haven't tried actually, I've never tried to overclock a CPU before and wouldn't know how

EDIT
After a quick read on how to unlock the 4th core and changing EC firmware to 'Hybrid' and ACC to 'Auto' in the BIOS my CPU is now showing up as Phenom II X4 20 (Deneb)

No clue on how I would overclock though, and am running the CPU on the stock heatsink
 
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Downloaded LinX as you said, tried to change problem size to 20000 and says "Not enough physical memory! Values corrected." and changes itself to 18725.
 
Mr Krugga said:
Is that the max it gets to under load before it crashes?

I will check voltages on my other rig in a minute and let you know what you should set them to as a starting point.
Click to expand...

I just opened LinX and checked CPU-Z to see the v core change to 1.328v, I didn't run until the error appeared again.

Computer doesn't crash or freeze, LinX just stops upon an error
 
Sorry for late reply. Thanks for all your help its really appreciated.

I was thinking about a X4 955 and my budget is around the price of that CPU but the general consensus is to unlock and overclock the X3 720 will give this a go.

Will try upping the vcore voltage, is 1.4V what I should be changing to?
 
I had a look in BIOS and it showed Normal CPU Vcore as 1.325V and I changed "CPU Voltage Control" to 1.4V.

Ran LinX for a few mins and PC shut itself off with no warning or anything, I'm guessing this is overheating?
 
nuttyprot said:
Most likely overheating

Don't overclock on phenom stock coolers they are crap. tbh I would just unlock the 4th core and wait for bulldozer to arrive next month. Then take another look at yer options as other amd cpus are likely to drop in price more.
Click to expand...

Would it be worth me purchasing a new cooler to at least try and run the 4th core stable as it keeps showing errors in LinX on default voltage and changing to 1.4V just shut down.

Could anybody recommended a decent cooler? preferebly without the need to fit a bracket as I don't fancy removing the motherboard.
 
Will definately get a new cooler then. If I have to remove the motherboard to fit the backplate then I will.

I'm considering the Cooler Master 212 Plus?
 
I went for the Titan Fenrir Evo in the end and fitted it today.

All seems to be running ok, back to 3 cores at the moment and showing around 25C idle in CoreTemp.

HWMonitor showing cores as around 25C and CPU 33C
 
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I tried LinX again with errors still appearing. I assume now I will need to up the vcore, would 1.4V be the number to try?
 
Changed vcore to 1.4V in BIOS with 4th core unlocked (shown as 1.392V in CPU-Z).

Ran LinX again and had the longest run i've had with the 4th core unlocked, however stopped with an error after 9 runs
 
mrfun1981 said:
Iv got the same CPU & cooler as you have an got mine running at 3.3ghz on stock settings, but mine dont unlock to 4 cores :mad: but the temp readings im getting are the roughly the same I roughly get same temps as you as I get around 26c while im idle & up to 40ish while gaming. - using HW Monitor

So I think the readings you are getting are fine. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks, good to know my temps seem okay.

I see your running yours at 3.3Ghz, could you tell me how did you did this, was it just by upping the miltiplier or changing the vcore aswell?
 
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