Overclocking R5 1500x with a stock cooler achieved success.
Overclocking R5 1500x with a stock cooler achieved success.
I still use my reliable 1500x, which I stabilized at 3.85ghz @1.35v on a stock Wraith Spire. The main issue is it struggles to maintain 3.9ghz at 1.4v. Anyone else had similar experiences?
1.4 represents a significant voltage level for today's chips, and it makes sense the CPU struggles without the standard cooler.
Your readings are in, you might want to adjust the Load Line Level.
Running at idle 40°C and load 61°C with AIDA64. Tested 3.9GHz @1.35v and 1.38v, but nothing worked. Planning to purchase an EK AIO or Arctic II AIO soon, though stock is scarce. Intending to upgrade to a 3700x as my B350M-A can't run the AMD 5000 series (likely won't). Just testing algorithms before the next upgrade, haha.
The clock speed seems acceptable, likely just the maximum your CPU and motherboard can handle. The B350 won't be compatible with Zen 3; opt for a 3000 Series instead, as it offers better value.
Initial generation 1.4 seems reasonable if it matches 1.4v. 1.45 is usually considered a safe range for the first gen. Of course, opinions vary—I won't exceed 1.4v. Still, some sources, like Gamersnexus, suggest what appears to be 1.4v might actually be higher. Check his video "how to kill your cpu with safe voltages." I'm running my 1600 AE at 3.9ghz with 1.38v. Achieving perfect stability at 4ghz isn't possible with my current setup, so it's just the upper limit of what I can test. Most first gen chips peak around 3.9-4ghz, with memory near 2933mhz. You can push to 4ghz+ and faster memory speeds, but stability remains limited. A 3.85ghz performance on the 1500x would be solid, even though its silicon quality is lower than top-end chips from that era. They often struggle to reach 4ghz consistently. Moving to a third generation would offer significant gains—about a 30% increase in IPC plus higher frequencies—and a better core count will help. Upgrading to a higher core model would be a smart move.