I made the switch to AMD and had my first time with overclocking.
I made the switch to AMD and had my first time with overclocking.
Initially, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who assisted me with my earlier inquiries. This website has truly been a lifesaver.
(If you prefer not to go through the entire content, my questions are at the bottom.)
GAMING ON A BUDGET
FACTORY SETTINGS
CPU: AMD A8-7650k 3.3ghz – paired with a stock cooler (I understand, consider getting an 212 Evo first)
APU/iGPU (built-in graphics) 1Gb of RAM – 720Mhz clock speed.
Memory: 16Gb (2x8Gb Dual Channel) Crucial RAM – CAS11 timings – 1600Mhz.
Motherboard: MSI A68HM-E33 V2 (SM07721)
Case is oversized for a compact motherboard, equipped with two Crucial 120mm fans (front and back) plus an additional Crucial fan on the side, directing airflow onto the CPU and stock cooler (positioned at a suitable distance to maintain proper airflow).
OVERCLOCKED SETTINGS (adjusted via MSI Bios Settings)
All adjustments were made through MSI Bios Settings.
I turned off AMD Cool & Quiet, enabled C6, and activated AMD Turbo Boost (CPU now at 3.6ghz).
RAM was overclocked to 1866Mhz (higher speeds aren’t stable).
APU settings were changed to (Dual Graphics) to free up one additional Gb from RAM for the iGPU, resulting in 2Gb instead of 1Gb.
Clock speed was raised from 720Mhz to 960Mhz (higher speeds cause instability).
These changes yield the following temperatures from factory defaults:
Idle: 32C–34C
Normal usage: 38C–45C
Gaming: 45C–48C
Overclocked: Idle 40C–42C, Normal usage 48C–52C
Temperatures remain unchanged without raising voltage (current setup seems optimal).
With fans and CPU temperatures set between 75%-100% as needed, the overall gaming performance has significantly improved.
I recently played Total War: Warhammer (released a month ago) at medium settings in 720p, achieving an average of 30FPS!
This was all for a budget PC build costing around £200, plus an additional £25 for an extra 8Gb RAM stick, £18 for the extra fan and connections. I already owned a keyboard (Razr Starcraft 2), mouse, and a 32" monitor.
In short, this investment has proven to be highly worthwhile.
The system runs on a 250W PSU, though upgrading it might be wise.
I have a few questions:
- Could the Northbridge frequency be increased? I left it on Auto (1800Mhz) but experimented with 2200Mhz without noticeable improvement.
- Would you explain more about the Northbridge/CPU interface?
- Is it pointless to push further without a more powerful PSU?
- What would you suggest as my next steps, or should I settle for this setup?
This is my first experience with AMD and attempting a full PC overclock. I understand why many are impressed, feeling a sense of control and power with each adjustment!
The Cooler Master TX3 is more affordable than the 212 and performs well, I've tried it myself. The PSU would come first on the list. Great post!
Happy you liked my update! ;-D
The Cooler Master TX3 seems reasonable at this price.
What temperatures are you seeing with your FX6300?
I'll share an update once I pick the right CPU cooler.
Thanks for your feedback.
Consider upgrading your power supply unit. Simply overclocking the Northbridge won't help much. AMD has also been reliable for overclocking in the past. I purchased an old Athlon X2 for $10 and managed to reach 3.5gHz with a $5 fan and cooler (it was originally 2.8gHz).
The Cooler Master TX3 is more affordable than the 212 and it performs well, I'm testing it myself.
But the PSU would definitely come first on the list. Awesome post!
The Cooler Master TX3 is more affordable than the 212 and performs well, I'm testing it myself.
The PSU would definitely come first on the list. Awesome post!
Happy you liked my update! ;-D
The Cooler Master TX3 seems reasonable and worth looking into at that price.
What temperatures are you seeing with your FX6300?
I'll share an update once I choose the best CPU cooler.
Thanks for your feedback.
ComputerSecurityGuy suggests starting with a PSU upgrade and focusing less on the Northbridge. They also mention AMD CPUs being more tolerant for overclocking based on their experience.
The Cooler Master TX3 is more affordable than the 212 and performs well, I've tried it myself. The PSU would come first on the list. Great post!
Happy you liked my update! ;-D
The Cooler Master TX3 seems reasonable at this price.
What temperatures are you seeing with your FX6300?
I'll share an update once I pick the right CPU cooler.
Thanks for your feedback.
SlotsAmore shared their experience with the Cooler Master TX3, noting it's more affordable than the 212 and performs well. They mentioned the PSU would be a top choice but appreciated the positive feedback. The post also included a personal update on CPU cooler selection and a detailed Prime95 test result.