Optimizing FX laptop performance
Optimizing FX laptop performance
I have a laptop motherboard (Asus fx550UI) that has an FX-9830p CPU, I use it for a bit of light gaming but the CPU really holds back the RX 560, usually the CPU sits in the high 90%s and the 560 rarely gets above 80% at any settings. Max clock is usually 3.5 ghz but sometimes it gets to 3.55 or so. But the rated max turbo is 3.7 on all 4 cores/threads. It's an unlocked processor, so I was wondering if there's a software I can use to OC it to 3.8 or 3.9 ghz - I know there's a software like that for Ryzen. The board is in a custom case with no airflow constraints - usually sits at <75c under load (good for an FX and RX 560 on same heatpipe). There's no OC option in the BIOS, and last thing I want to do is brick my board as I quite like it. Please let me know if there's a bigger risk of this happening than usual due to my... unique setup. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Did you increase the cooling? If not, you're likely limited by thermals.
Well, there literally is no case. It's bolted to some standoffs a couple inches off a wood board, and the fan it's got on it is OK enough, as it gets 100% airflow with no obstruction. It used to almost never turbo above its 3ghz base in its laptop form. Although, I wouldn't mind voiding the warranty even further, taking off the heatpipes, drilling some custom mounting holes in an AM2 stock cooler, and wiring that up... If you think it would help, I could try that.
Here’s a revised version of your notes:
The image shows only groove music and Edge, with minimal visual impact. The recording is at 3:42, current temperature is 55°C. During the 30-minute Cinebench test, the maximum clock speed reached 3.56 MHz for a few seconds at the beginning, then settled around 3.4 MHz for the rest. Peak temperatures hit 78°C. The main issue arises when the GPU gets hot, which also raises CPU temperatures since they share a heat pipe. Games that heavily use both components cause low 80s across both devices, while the GPU remains fully clocked but the CPU drops to around 3.3 MHz.
Yeah, you're limiting the thermals. You might want to use a blowiematron if you're okay with risking your fingers. Or look for another method to lower the CPU temperature. Share a clearer image of the board?
Board center around the VRMs houses the CPU. My main worry is that removing the cooler would require installing two additional ones—one for the GPU and one for the CPU—which would mean drilling numerous holes.