Overclocking on an ASUS M5A78L-M with USB3 and AMD FX 8350
Overclocking on an ASUS M5A78L-M with USB3 and AMD FX 8350
Hello
I'm curious about the maximum performance I can achieve with this configuration.
CPU cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
RAM: Team Elite Plus 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
GPU: GTX 970
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular
Can my PSU and motherboard support the overclocking? If yes, how much can I push it without risking any issues?
This is the top budget overclocking board I've found for the 8 core FX CPUs.
PCPartPicker part list
/
Cost breakdown by seller
Mainboard:
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Board
($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Overall:
$74.98
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker 2014-11-20 11:42 EST-0500
Your PSU is in good shape, a solid unit. With the 212 EVO cooler and a board that only supports 4+1 power phases, plus the tower cooler reducing VRM cooling compared to a downwind model, I wouldn’t even consider pushing it overclock much. Most attempts have led to inconsistent and unstable performance.
The VRMs tend to get too hot, causing instability, especially without extra cooling like a downward airflow CPU cooler. Using a tower cooler significantly diminishes the chances of keeping the VRMs cool during overclocking. I’d suggest another board if you really want to push the 8350 beyond its default speed. Otherwise, just keep Turbo on and Cool N Quiet enabled—perfect for everyday use. It can reach around 4.2Ghz naturally, but prolonged high voltage operation might cause it to throttle.
This board is suitable for general use but isn’t really built for serious overclocking.
Darkbreeze provided feedback on your PSU and board setup. They noted the unit is solid, but suggest it may not be ideal for heavy overclocking due to limited cooling options and potential instability from VRMs. They recommend considering a different board if you plan to push the 8350 beyond stock speeds, otherwise leaving Turbo and Cool N Quiet on could suffice. They also mentioned the board is suitable for everyday use but not optimized for aggressive overclocking.
This is the top budget overclocking board I've found for the 8 core FX CPUs.
PCPartPicker part list
/
Cost breakdown by seller
Mainboard:
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Board
($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Overall:
$74.98
Shipping, taxes, and available discounts are included
Created by PCPartPicker 2014-11-20 11:42 EST-0500
Darkbreeze :
This is the top budget overclocking board I've found for the 8 core FX CPUs.
PCPartPicker part list
/
Price breakdown by merchant
Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard
($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $74.98
Includes shipping, taxes, and available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker 2014-11-20 11:42 EST-0500
Appreciate the assistance, but I have another question if it's okay.
Should I invest in an AMD processor instead of overclocking, or should I go with an i5?
It mainly depends on how much you are willing to invest. The i5-4690k performs better than the FX-8320 in single-threaded tasks, though they are similar in multi-threaded scenarios. When you boost the 8350’s speed compared to its standard performance, the FX starts matching or surpassing the i5 in single-threaded tasks, depending on the boost level. If both CPUs are boosted equally, the i5 remains superior in all situations. If you don’t plan to overclock either model, the i5 offers better value but is pricier at $209 versus the current $129 price of the 8350 on Amazon, making it $80 more expensive.
Darkbreeze :
It really depends on your budget. The i5-4690k performs better in single-threaded tasks compared to the FX-8320, though they’re similar in multi-threaded scenarios. When you overclock the 8350 versus the stock i5, the FX can match or exceed the i5 in single-thread performance, depending on the settings. If both are overclocked equally, the i5 tends to win.
If you don’t plan to overclock either CPU, the i5 is a stronger option but costs more—$209 versus $129 for the 8350 on Amazon. That’s an $80 difference.
I own a water cooler H100i v2 and use a M5A78L-M/USB3 motherboard; some say I won’t reach stock speeds, and I might need to adjust things if I go for the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ($74.98 at OutletPC).
For testing, you could try running your board with your CPU to see if upgrades are necessary before deciding.