H60 FX 8320 overclocking
H60 FX 8320 overclocking
Redneck5439 : The EVO performs slightly under a H100, above H60 and H80. It stands out as the top budget cooler, even surpassing pricier options. Adding a second fan in push-pull mode boosts its performance further.
On Saturday (boxing day) I bought a cooler and found it sold out, so I compared the hyper T4, H60, and more expensive models with extra features. The H60 was $20 cheaper than others. You can still overclock reasonably well with the H60, likely reaching 4.2 to 4.4Ghz depending on your setup, and possibly up to 4.5Ghz with better hardware.
I’m wondering what limits your system’s overclock potential—do you think the power supply or motherboard is the main bottleneck?
It's difficult to determine the limits of an overclock. I know your motherboard isn't ideal for overclocking, and for boosting FX 8 core CPUs, I prefer a minimum 800W 80+ Gold power supply (since you never know when someone will add a R9 390 on top of an overclocked FX 8 core processor). Does that suggest you should immediately purchase a new motherboard? Not necessarily. You might still achieve a 4.4Ghz boost on your system, and if I connected it to my rig, I could discover that the maximum is around 4.5Ghz (with a 1000W 80+ Gold PSU and Sabertooth 990FX). The outcome really depends on the chip selection. Most FX 8320s currently overclock between 4.2 and 4.5Ghz, though some perform better. On average, this is what you can expect because higher-binned chips were pushed into the FX 8350+ lineup. Once you reach the limits, no matter how good your hardware is, you won't surpass it.
Your PSU and motherboard aren't particularly strong overclockers, but even with a premium motherboard (like the Asus Sabertooth 990FX) and a 1000W 80+ Gold unit, you might only gain an extra 100 to 200 MHz (depending on the chip selection). That amount would likely not justify the additional cost of just about 200Mhz. If you had an FX 8370 or similar, I'd recommend upgrading both components, as it would allow you to exceed 5Ghz, but with an FX 8320, your overclock performance is largely determined by the chip selection.
CPUs are generally unique devices, and Asus conducted some intriguing tests recently. The next step would involve the motherboard, but it’s advisable to stick with a PSU that fits; you already have a solid one, and even with a 390, an EVGA 600 would suffice. An 800 is unnecessary and overkill. The cooler should work fine—better or more affordable options are recommended.
Tradesman1 shares insights on CPU and power supply considerations, mentioning Asus testing and the importance of matching components. They discuss using a good PSU, noting that 800W is sufficient for many builds, especially with modern processors. The advice emphasizes avoiding underpowered setups and suggests higher-end options when needed.