ASRock 970M Pro3 with FX8350 overclocking guide
ASRock 970M Pro3 with FX8350 overclocking guide
After putting in a lot of work, I've chosen to skip modifying this motherboard. The highest speed I achieved was 4.4GHZ at 1.45V, though it was stable. The VRM throttling really took it over. I was expecting a noticeable boost, but I'm content with the standard performance and don't believe it's necessary to push the 4+1 VRM too far.
I create tailored computer setups as an extra venture. My private machine is in my possession. I possess every component easily affordable, so building an i5 or i7 would be simple. The issue remains even for my own business—costs must cover parts when it's personal use or when the wife reviews the accounts. I don't wish to rest in the barn, care for my horses, or feel inclined to skip work with them.
I've improved my system around five times, starting from a mediocre Gigabyte board that couldn't handle my then Phenom II 965BE, up to the current rig. I intend to keep my present machine running for at least three to four more years before moving to a new motherboard with DDR4 RAM (whether AMD Zen or Intel Kaby Lake, though the...
What kind of processor do you possess? For overclocking, a quad-core or six-core chip works well. If your system has eight cores and isn't an "E" model, you might achieve a modest boost by adjusting to turbo core settings, though the board may not be ideal for serious overclocking and overclocking isn't suggested. Although your motherboard supports AM3+ FX 8-core configurations, an FX 8-core processor should ideally have at least 8+2 power phases to perform optimally.
If you're using an FX 8-core chip (non-E), it's best to keep it at its default settings—overclocking isn't recommended. For processors like the FX 8320E or FX 8370E, which are 95W TDP, a slight increase in performance is possible, and they should handle turbo core adjustments effectively.
Redneck5439:
What kind of processor do you have? If it's a quad-core or six-core chip, you should be okay with overclocking. For an eight-core processor that isn't an "E" model, you might be able to push a minor overclock—such as adjusting to turbo core settings—but your board isn't really designed for serious overclocking, so it's not recommended. Although your motherboard supports "AM3+ FX 8-core ready," a genuine FX 8-core chip should ideally have at least 8+2 power phases to perform well.
If you're using an FX 8-core processor (non-E), I suggest sticking to stock performance rather than overclocking. For the FX 8320E or FX 8370E, which are 95W TDP, a slight overclock is possible, possibly reaching turbo core settings, but it might not be safe.
Also, I should mention that I added a small case fan to my north bridge VRM heatsink; it cut my temperatures by about 10 degrees. Also, with the 212 EVO and stock 95W at full load, my core temps rarely go above 40 under stress, so I'm happy with that setup.
Thanks for your response!
What kind of processor are you using? If your system has a quad-core or six-core chip, it should work well for overclocking. However, if you have an eight-core processor that isn't an "E" model, you might be able to achieve a minor boost—such as adjusting the turbo core settings—but your setup isn't ideal for serious overclocking. While your motherboard supports AM3+ FX 8-core, a processor with an 8-core should ideally have at least 8+2 power phases to perform optimally.
If you're running an FX 8-core processor (non-E), it's best to stick with stock performance as overclocking isn't recommended. For FX 8320E or FX 8370E models, which are 95W TDP, a slight increase in overclocking is possible, though it remains risky. The FX 8350 is a specific model you mentioned; it should handle turbo core settings up to around 4.2GHz if you push it carefully.
Keep in mind that your motherboard features 4+1 power phases and was built for quad-core chips, but an 8-core processor really needs the 8+2 phase. I wouldn't suggest overclocking the FX 8350 on a board with only 4+1 phases. It might be possible to reach turbo settings, but it's not safe.
Your best choices would be to keep things at stock performance or upgrade your motherboard to something like the 970 gaming board with VRM cooling and an 8+2 power phase. This would allow you to overclock to around 4.8GHz and improve performance further. If you wait until the end of the year, you could consider upgrading to AMD Zen or Intel Skylake Kaby Lake next year, or plan for a future upgrade to Skylake with an optional Kaby Lake extension.
Redneck5439:
What kind of processor do you own? If you possess a quad-core or six-core chip, you should be okay for overclocking. However, if your board has an eight-core and isn't an "E" model, you might manage a minor boost (such as adjusting to turbo core settings), but it's not ideal for serious overclocking. Although your motherboard supports the AM3+ FX 8-core configuration, a processor with eight cores should ideally have at least eight plus two power phases to perform well.
If you're using an FX 8-core chip (non-E), it's best to stick to stock performance—overclocking isn't recommended. For FX 8320E or FX 8370E models, which are 95W TDP, a slight increase in overclocking is possible, though caution is advised.
As a note, I omitted mentioning the FX8350. Additionally, I added a small case fan over my north bridge heatsink, which helped lower my temperatures by about ten degrees. Using the 212 EVO cooler also kept core temps under control, usually staying below 40°C even during heavy load in Prime 95 at stock settings.
Thanks for your reply! I should have noted that the FX8350 is involved. Overall, I think upgrading to a board with VRM cooling and an 8+2 power phase would be the safest path. If you wait until later this year or next, you could consider moving to AMD Zen or Intel Skylake/Kaby Lake, which offer better future potential.
If you decided to stay now, your current setup still works for your needs, and I remain optimistic about the processor's performance as software evolves. While it might be tempting to replace the board, the extra cost would likely be around a couple hundred dollars, and I'm planning to keep it as it is for now.
Appreciate the help!
I work on creating tailored computer setups as an extra venture. My personal machine lives in my home, and I possess every component I could easily afford to assemble myself—an i5 or i7. The issue remains even for my own company: covering the expenses when it comes to my personal use and when the wife reviews the financials.
I haven’t stopped improving my system roughly five times, starting with a mediocre Gigabyte board that couldn’t even run my then Phenom II 965BE. Now I’m running a much more advanced rig. My goal is to keep my current setup functional for at least three to four more years before moving on to the next upgrade—possibly switching to a motherboard with DDR4 RAM (whether it’s AMD Zen or Intel Kaby Lake, though I suspect Zen pricing might be steep).
I’m prepared to wait another three to four years for two main reasons. First, I love gaming on my machine, and I understand that games will become more restricted by their need to run smoothly on console platforms (Xbox One and PS4). I know my setup is significantly stronger than either console and will be able to handle higher resolutions and settings throughout the life of those devices. Second, I rely heavily on my rig for video editing and rendering. These tasks can easily ruin more expensive i5 systems; since my processor cost $150 when purchased, it’s essentially half the price of an i7—making it a good option for my wife to consider.
I believe my current configuration will remain useful for at least three to four years by then, thanks to the upcoming release of Zen processors and the potential for better alternatives in the high-end CPU market, which should help reduce prices. My FX 8350, though not the fastest on the market, is still capable of delivering solid performance for the next three to four years. I’d suggest upgrading my motherboard and keeping a strong system ready for the next phase—likely with the MSI 970 Gaming or GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P (rev. 1.0).
The MSI 970 Gaming supports crossfire/SLI, while the GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P (rev. 1.0) offers LLC support, which will enhance overclocking potential. Both feature excellent VRM cooling and 8+2 power phases, making them top choices for maximizing performance from high-end processors. They’re among the best budget options available if you want to squeeze out the most from your FX 8 core chips.
With either board, you’ll be able to push your processor to its limits, maintain stability, and pair it with a good GPU (like GTX 960 or R9 280X+) for smoother gaming at higher settings than consoles allow. This setup should keep you competitive for the next three to four years, especially as Zen enters its second generation and alternatives emerge in the premium CPU space.
Thank you for your replies! I almost bought the ASRock 990FX fatal1ty mobo because it's on sale at newegg, but the reviews made me delay the purchase. I think I'll go with the MSI board or possibly the crosshair v from asus later, but I'm holding off to really consider upgrading.
On another note, my VRM temperatures are excellent, and I replaced my small 70mm fan with the larger 80mm fan from my original heatsink (thanks to its PWM controls). For now, I'm fairly satisfied with my setup.