Need a Am3+ Motherboard
Need a Am3+ Motherboard
For my recent Fx-8320 setup, I aim to push it to 5ghz. Should the Gigabyte GA970aud3p and Corsair CX600 suffice, or would I need an upgrade as well? Appreciate any advice.
I have the same motherboard but a slightly weaker CPU (FX 6350 overclocked to a very stable 4.3Ghz) and it causes no issues at all. I might be able to get it around 4.5-4.6 without any concerns, though I’m not confident about my cooling setup. For a tight budget, the Gigabyte 970A-UD3P seems like the top choice because of its VRM. If you have no budget limits, you can consider higher-end models. Running an FX 8320 at 5.0Ghz will generate a lot of heat—make sure you use a high-quality fan and heatsink with proper thermal paste.
Andrei-Florin Gogan shares his experience: he uses the same motherboard but a slightly weaker CPU (FX 6350 overclocked to a stable 4.3Ghz) without any issues. He believes it would work fine at around 4.5-4.6Ghz, though he isn’t confident about his cooling setup. For those on a tight budget, the Gigabyte 970A-UD3P seems like a solid choice because of its VRM. If you have more budget, you can upgrade to higher-end models. However, if you aim for 5.0Ghz, a FX 8320 is likely to generate excessive heat. Make sure you pair it with a top-tier fan and heatsink, along with proper thermal paste.
In terms of power consumption, 600W is sufficient unless you plan to add two high-end GPUs. The CX series from Corsair may not provide enough stability.
To the reader: remember that CPU overclocking varies widely. Some FX 8320s can reach 5Ghz, but only the top-tier models do so reliably. Most cannot. Even the FX 8350s rarely hit 5Ghz. To be certain, consider FX 8370 or FX 9370/9590. Avoid FX 9xxx unless you have compatible hardware—they’re extremely power-hungry (220W), requiring a motherboard like Sabertooth or better for the FX 9xxx line. The FX 8370 is your best option if you want a realistic chance of reaching 5Ghz. For AMD models, aim for at least 750W 80+ Gold power supply; 1000W would be ideal. This ensures stable power and extra capacity for both the GPU and cooling system, especially since water cooling is needed to approach 5Ghz levels.
For that type of setup you might be able to get it if you have the right silicon and water cooling. The MSI 970 Gaming is a decent motherboard offering the same power phase design but with SLI compatibility. Just make sure you pick one that fits your budget.