Boosting performance with AMD A8-6600K/GTX970
Boosting performance with AMD A8-6600K/GTX970
Hello everyone,
I currently own a machine with the following specifications:
Case: Advance X11 Gamer PC Case (includes 2 side case fans, one at the back and one at the front, all stock)
RAM: 16GB 1600Mhz
CPU: A8-6600k
Motherboard: FM2 (exact model not confirmed at work)
CPU Cooler: Stock
Graphics Card: GTX 970 FTW+ 2.0 ACX
PSU: 780w Generic
I’ve been using this setup for games that didn’t demand much graphical detail before. Recently, my boss gifted me the graphics card as a bonus or gift.
I’m aware that the CPU is limiting my performance in terms of FPS during gameplay. I usually maintain around 60 FPS in Fallout 4 indoors, but it drops to 40 and occasionally falls to 30 in town environments—this is noticeable.
With limited funds, I’d prefer not to invest in a new board or CPU right now.
My question is: Would upgrading the CPU cooler and attempting overclocking be worthwhile? (I’ve never overclocked before but work in IT, so I’m hoping it’s manageable.)
If yes, what kind of improvement can I expect in games?
Thank you for your help.
They won't work with those side fans mate — that's certain.
Deepcool s40, hyper 103, raijintek aidos are all around £18 on Amazon — they’ll all fit and perform adequately.
Consider trying to boost the CPU performance even with the standard cooler. If the results don’t show a significant gain, opt for the Cooler Master 212 EVO. For better gains, you might need to switch boards to Intel or AM3+ models. Upgrading and overclocking would likely provide a clear improvement, though it may not be enough alone if the board is FM2 rather than FM2+. You could also attempt GPU overclocking using tools like MSI Afterburner or EVGA PrecisionX. If the board is FM2, consider an A10-5800k or 6800k (around $100-$130). For FM2+, an Athlon ii x4 860k would be a good choice, matching the performance of an A10-7870k for about $75. Neither option offers a massive jump, but they are the best available and can still see substantial overclocking potential to ease bottlenecks.
Try boosting the CPU even with the stock cooler. If you notice no performance gains from what you can achieve on the stock cooler, consider getting the Cooler Master 212 EVO. Otherwise, a CPU upgrade would be necessary. Without switching boards to Intel or AM3+, your choices are limited. Upgrading and overclocking could provide a clear boost, though it may not be enough alone if the board is FM2 instead of FM2+. You might also try overclocking the GPU, which could increase speed by a few MHz and frames. Use MSI Afterburner or EVGA PrecisionX for this. If your board is FM2, you'd likely need an A10-5800k or 6800k (around $100 to $130). For FM2+, an Athlon ii x4 860k would be a good alternative, similar to the A10-7870k for about $75. Neither option offers a huge jump, but they’re the best you can get. You could still overclock them significantly to ease bottlenecks. The stock cooler should handle a minor overclock. Thanks for your advice, Coltor. I plan to start with CPU overclocking and explore more options. Would you suggest using AMD Overdrive or relying on the BIOS? I remember you used Overclock Genie II for the APU a while ago—do you have any guides for this process?
AngelOfDarkness is unsure if a standard power supply would suffice for a GTX 970 and an overclocked processor. They suggest upgrading soon. The link provided points to a specific PSU model. They clarify they didn’t use the term "generic" too loosely and confirm the unit has worked well before.
Nah, you were right. It's still a generic PSU no matter how much they promote it. You'd want at least 40A in 12V, a solid 650W 80p certified model would be ideal. Brands I'd suggest are Seasonic, XFX, Superflower, Evga, Corsair, Silverstone and Sentey. Look around for what fits your budget and check reviews before deciding, JohnyGuru is the go-to expert for PSUs, so follow his advice if you want.
They appear to be a rebranded FSP unit, but the issue is that FSP markets them as a 500w PSU instead of what you need. I wouldn't consider using one with a full stop, though. Even with a 4.2/4.3ghz clock—where you're likely to reach around 700w—it's still going to draw an additional 15-20w. The choice is yours, though.
The situation looks similar before – they’re a rebranded FSP unit. The issue is that FSP sells it as a 500w PSU, but it’s not really 700w+. I wouldn’t use it unless absolutely necessary. Even with a 4.2/4.3ghz clock (which is likely your max), it’ll only draw another 15-20w. The decision is yours.
I considered the advertised 780w, but thought it was too good to be true. I bought it a few years ago after my PSU wouldn’t support a 560Ti. It’s worked fine since then. My CPU is listed at 3.9ghz, but its turbo caps at 4.2ghz. I’ve set this in AMD Overdrive so it stays steady at 4.2ghz, which is the limit I’ve reached with overclocking.
I changed the base multiplier to x42 and got a stable 4.3ghz. Using Overdrive’s built-in stability tool caused a blue screen. I didn’t change the voltage, just reset the clock back to base. Did I make a mistake there?
Quick question: the card reduces the multiplier by 19 if overclocking fails – is that a safety feature?
Overdrive is a poor method for overclocking—it forces an excessive amount of voltage through the chip. The BIOS is the better option; since you’re not relying on built-in graphics, you can likely both overclock and undervolt effectively. Also, make sure the turbo core is fully turned off—it only adjusts to turbo speed on one or two cores, which is harmful for games that use multiple threads.