Overclocking AMD FX-6300
Overclocking AMD FX-6300
Hello All,
I’m just starting out with overclocking and this forum.
I recently managed to boost my processor to 4.3GHz successfully. I believe I did it right by gradually increasing the CPU multiplier and voltage for a successful PRIME95 stress test.
My worry is that I had to raise the voltage all the way up to 1.4925V in order to achieve a stable 4.3GHz...
I’ve read that it should be fine as long as the voltage stays under 1.5V, but I’m right at the limit.
Are there any other BIOS adjustments I could try to keep the speed at 4.3GHz but at a lower voltage?
Thanks in advance, Paul
Reading indicates 1.55V is the upper limit for FX-6300, considering safe operating temperatures for VRM and LLC load line calibration. Setting it to 1.5V requires maintaining close proximity to the chosen voltage, which is advised. Temperatures for the FX typically reach around 70°C, and it's usually recommended to keep them below that threshold.
Well I also recently purchased a gift for my friend, an FX-4100 and M5A78 LX3. From what I understand, the voltage should not exceed 1.5V. From what I've learned about my chip, I was able to run at 4.5GHz without adjusting the voltage at all using AMD overdrive software (1.42V) and it stays cool even under 60°C with the stock copper cooler. Always what I do is start with the default settings, lower the voltage until the system begins to fail, then increase the clock speed without changing the voltage until it stops working properly, after that I reduce the clock by 100MHz from the last unstable overclock, test for stability, if stable I add 100mV and repeat the process until it boots up or it doesn't. If it remains unstable I add another 100mV and retest. I repeated this until I got close to 1.5V and kept it under. I didn’t have time to go through that, but I hope it helps you.
Hello All,
I’m new to overclocking and this forum. I recently managed to boost my processor to 4.3GHz successfully. I believe I did it right by gradually increasing the CPU multiplier and voltage during a PRIME95 stress test.
My worry is that I had to raise the voltage all the way up to 1.4925V just to achieve stability at 4.3GHz... I’ve read that it’s acceptable as long as it doesn’t exceed 1.5V, but I’m right at the boundary.
Are there any other BIOS tweaks I could try to keep the speed at 4.3GHz while using a lower voltage? Thanks in advance,
Paul
The setup seems quite high for these numbers. Consider using an LLC with a different offset voltage instead of manual voltage. Aim for the lowest possible LLC setting to reduce overshoot when the load is removed. It largely depends on the VRM's strength in your motherboard. I had a 6300 at 1.46V, 4.4G on a less reliable VRM with an M5a88M. Are your stability problems linked to processor overheating? A hot CPU needs more voltage to stabilize, so improved cooling might let you use a lower voltage. Don't focus too much on P95 stability since it's not a typical load pattern you'll encounter. You can safely reduce the voltage once you confirm stability at the higher P95 level. Then test with real-world loads like long video encoding or CineBench runs. If successful, temperatures should remain manageable.
zonian :
drea.drechsler :
A 6300 at 4.3G with a 6300 does seem quite high. You might consider using an LLC with a different offset voltage instead of manual voltage. Aim for the lowest possible LLC setting to reduce overshoot when the load is removed.
This largely depends on the strength of your VRM on the motherboard. For example, I used a 6300 at 1.46V, 4.4G on a board with a weak VRM and an M5a88M.
Are your stability problems linked to processor overheating? A hot CPU needs more voltage to stabilize, so improved cooling could let you use a lower voltage.
Don’t focus too much on P95 stability—it’s not a typical load profile your system will encounter. It’s not just a 'power virus' by any means. Feel free to reduce the voltage once you confirm stability at the higher P95 level. Then test with real-world loads, such as long video encoding with Handbrake or several CineBench passes. If it works under those conditions and temperatures stay under control, you should be fine.
DD
I was attempting to share a temperature graph but couldn’t post it...
Anyway, my CPU runs at 55°C during the P95 test at 4.3GHz/1.4925V. My GPU is at 44°C. I’m using a liquid cooler.
For LLC, it’s currently set to "AUTO". The only BIOS options left are "Extreme" and "Regular"—which one should I choose?
Yes, I thought the P95 test might be too intense, but as a beginner in this tuning area, most guides suggest doing it...
I plan to lower the voltage slightly and run a more practical test using real loads like video encoding with Handbrake or several CineBench passes. If that succeeds and temperatures stay stable, then it should work.
Extreme should be fine—it usually triggers more often. But keep in mind that on less powerful boards, LLC can behave unpredictably, so experimentation is key. Also, consider whether offset voltage adjustments are better than manual voltage tweaks if possible.
55°C under P95 is reasonable, but the GPU temperature doesn’t matter much since I don’t know what it’s tracking. It could simply be a faulty sensor line on the monitoring chip giving incorrect readings. Ideally, it should point to the VRM section, but with 44°C under load that’s hard to ignore.
drea.drechsler :
55C under P95 certainly sounds good, the MB temp means nothing since I have no idea what it's monitoring. It could just as easily be an unterminated sensor line on the monitoring chip and reporting nonsense. Ideally, it should be the VRM section but 44C under load there is simply to great to be real.
Yeah, not really sure either what the MB temp sensor is actually measuring ...when I installed the liquid cooling system I took the old CPU fan and placed it right over the AMD 760G heatsink on the MB though...figured it can't hurt.
zonian :
...when I installed the liquid cooling system I took the old CPU fan and placed it right over the AMD 760G heatsink on the MB though...figured it can't hurt.
I'd locate it to blow on the VRM section since that's where I've always had the biggest problems. Since you're liquid cooling there's very little air movement back there now.
I did that on my old AM3 (an M5a88m with 6300) and I'm doing it on my Ryzen board (B350M Mortar with 1700.)