Can you confidently raise your FX-8320's speed to 4.0GhZ without risking damage?
Can you confidently raise your FX-8320's speed to 4.0GhZ without risking damage?
I've been thinking about boosting my 8320 to 4.0GhZ, as some sources suggest it can match the performance of an 8350. Before making the change, I want to make sure my setup is suitable for this upgrade. Here are my details:
GPU: AMD Sapphire Pulse RX 560 4GB
CPU: AMD FX-8320 with boost from 3.5GhZ to 4.0GhZ
MOBO: GIGABYTE 970A-DS3P rev. 1
RAM: 20GB DDR3 (estimated 1600Mhz), two 8GB modules, one 4GB module (extra RAM available)
PSU: Thermaltake TR2 700W Bronze
OS: Windows 10 (Creator's Update) 64-bit
I’ve watched some videos and learned a few things:
- Enable CPU Unlock
- Turn off "Core Turbo Boost"
- Set CPU frequency to x20
I tried these steps recently, but after overclocking, my system took two attempts to boot. It’s unclear if the issue is with the power supply or the motherboard. I also heard that my motherboard may not be ideal for overclocking. Thanks in advance!
Overclocking will take you a lot of time, so choose a free day. Aim for 4.0ghz instead of raising the voltage in small steps until your system runs smoothly without crashes or freezes. Don’t worry about getting BSoD more than once while you find the right voltage—it’s okay if it happens a few times; the goal is stability. The best result should be around 1.4 to 1.45v, maybe up to 1.5, but not over 1.6v. Keep it low if your system stays stable. Also consider boosting memory and northbridge performance. I recommend this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdRUpaPfBpk), though it’s in Russian.
Check if there is an option to increase CPU core voltage in BIOS.
CPU Vcore is the CPU voltage setting. It should be adjusted accordingly.
Yes, gradually raise the voltage, observe the current reading, and add 0.05 each time, restarting until it boots. Use AIDA64/real bench/prime 95 to push the system and check for stability. If issues persist, slowly increase the voltage further and try again. It may take some time, so good luck!
The voltage is currently set to auto, and I prefer not to adjust it since I'm unfamiliar with overclocking. I also attempted to increase it to 3.8Ghz with CPB disabled and Unlock enabled, but the PC still needs two tries to boot. Could you share the base voltage for the FX-8320? That would help me try overclocking safely.
If you prefer not to interact with the voltages, then reaching 4.0 GHz isn't possible without additional power. When done carefully and gradually, you won't damage anything, provided you stay within the limits—such as 1.45 V or 1.5 V depending on cooling conditions. As long as you remain under those thresholds, you should avoid any issues. Overclocking takes time; be patient and monitor voltage and temperatures closely for best results.