Problem when overclocking a FX-8320E

[matheusspach]

I'm trying to push my CPU to the limit. I'm currently running stable at 4.5GHz @ 1.4v with LLC on Medium in the bios.
The motherboard I have is a GA-970A-UD3P.
The problem I have is that when I try to push the multiplier higher than 22x my PC won't boot and I'll have a screen telling me that "some hardware settings are incompatible with your system" or something like that.
I'm currently running with 205MHz BCLK with a 22x multiplier to reach 4.5GHz, the problem is: I can reach higher CPU clocks by increasing the BCLK and the NB Voltage as well the CPU Vcore, but my RAM become quickly unstable when I get past 1450MHz with 9-9-9-24 or even higher timings and a higher RAM voltage.
My temps are stable, I'm using a Zalman CNPS10X Performa and getting a max of 55°C on AIDA64 running for 1 hour and a max of 60°C on the VRM.
I've already tried to update the bios, to reset the CMOS, everything I can think of I already tried and I can't raise the multiplier higher than 22x and this is driving me crazy.
Full system:
MB: GA-970A-UD3P
CPU: FX-8320E
RAM: HyperX Fury 8GB 1333MHz
PSU: Corsair TX750M
GPU: R9 270X

 

[Durvelle27]

Don’t raise the BLCK, just keep it at 200 and raise the multiplier

If you use the BLCK you will be essentially overclocking the RAM which would require you to change the voltage and timings.

 

[matheusspach]

Don’t raise the BLCK, just keep it at 200 and raise the multiplier

If you use the BLCK you will be essentially overclocking the RAM which would require you to change the voltage and timings.

I can't raise the multiplier any higher than 22x.
22.5x or anything else the PC won't boot and I'll get a message saying "some hardware settings are incompatible with your system" and then I'm forced to reset the bios to optimized defaults

 

[Durvelle27]

I can't raise the multiplier any higher than 22x.
22.5x or anything else the PC won't boot and I'll get a message saying "some hardware settings are incompatible with your system" and then I'm forced to reset the bios to optimized defaults

Is that with or without the Raised BLCK

 

[matheusspach]

Is that with or without the Raised BLCK

Without the raised BCLK, using stock 200mhz

 

[Durvelle27]

What other voltages have you also tried

I found on Vishera 8 after about 4.5GHz the voltage requirements sky rocket. My old 8320 needed 1.5V to break 4.6

 

[matheusspach]

What other voltages have you also tried

I found on Vishera 8 after about 4.5GHz the voltage requirements sky rocket. My old 8320 needed 1.5V to break 4.6

I've tried using 1.5v with 22.5x and 200mhz BCLK and got the same message, think I'll leave on 4.5ghz for now

 

[eidairaman1]

You are on a 3+1 VRM board is why. If you want a Serious overclock get a GA 990FX UD3/5 or an Asus Sabertooth R2.0/3.0 or Crosshair 5.

 

[matheusspach]

You are on a 3+1 VRM board is why. If you want a Serious overclock get a GA 990FX UD3/5 or an Asus Sabertooth R2.0/3.0 or Crosshair 5.

From what I know the UD3P(rev 2.0) have 8+2 phase

 

[Johan45]

Yes it is. is there anything in your BIOS about TDP or a wattage setting. I'm not familiar with Giga AM3+ boards/BIOS
Also check for APM in there and disable that

 

[lexluthermiester]

You are on a 3+1 VRM board is why.

I was thinking that as well until I plugged the model number into google. Seems we were both thinking of one of the lower end boards.

From what I know the UD3P(rev 2.0) have 8+2 phase

You're right it does. You might just be limited by silicon lottery on that one. 4.5ghz@1.4volts is a decent OC and should be fairly solid. I'd say call it good and enjoy it until you feel the need to upgrade.

When you do decide to upgrade, go Ryzen if you want to stick with AMD. A Ryzen 5 1500 at stock smokes the FX series entirely and will OC like a champ. I've been building them since release and never fialed to get one to 4ghz, and for those series of CPU's is a damn decent OC. If you want to maintain 8 cores, then a Ryzen 7 1700 will give you excellent bang for buck once the second gen Ryzen's hit retail. It's a very exciting time in the CPU marketplace!

 

[Vya Domus]

I've tried using 1.5v with 22.5x and 200mhz BCLK and got the same message, think I'll leave on 4.5ghz for now

Then that might just be it , 8320E wasn't really known for being a very good overclocker.

 

[eidairaman1]

Then that might just be it , 8320E wasn't really known for being a very good overclocker.

It still boils down to yield too. I never thought my 8350 would go this far.

I also question the quality of vrm used on that board because typically the board revisions are lower quality as time goes on for GA.

 

[newtekie1]

It still boils down to yield too. I never thought my 8350 would go this far.

I also question the quality of vrm used on that board because typically the board revisions are lower quality as time goes on for GA.

It is also kind of telling that the CPU support list doesn't list the higher TDP FX9000 processors. Just because it has 8+2 doesn't mean it is a good 8+2.

 

[Durvelle27]

It still boils down to yield too. I never thought my 8350 would go this far.

I also question the quality of vrm used on that board because typically the board revisions are lower quality as time goes on for GA.

I never thought my 8350 could break 5GHz but it did 5.7GHz easily

But you are correct, it comes down to yield and the quality of the board.

I’ve had man FX CPUs but not all could surpass 5GHz. My 8320 rapped out at 4.8GHz@1.55V, first 8350 did 4.7GHz@1.48V, last 8350 did 5.7GHz@1.57V, and last 8320 did 4.6GHz@1.45V

Your mileage may vary

 

[eidairaman1]

I never thought my 8350 could break 5GHz but it did 5.7GHz easily

But you are correct, it comes down to yield and the quality of the board.

I’ve had man FX CPUs but not all could surpass 5GHz. My 8320 rapped out at 4.8GHz@1.55V, first 8350 did 4.7GHz@1.48V, last 8350 did 5.7GHz@1.57V, and last 8320 did 4.6GHz@1.45V

Your mileage may vary

Air or water lol. Mine is air only

 

[Durvelle27]

Air or water lol. Mine is air only

8350s water
8320 water and air

Board was a ASUS M5A97 EVO

 

[Flyordie]

Then that might just be it , 8320E wasn't really known for being a very good overclocker.

The 8320E isn't a good overclocker. Its got REALLY low leakage. So its very efficient at low clocks but won't clock high cause the leakage is low.

It still boils down to yield too. I never thought my 8350 would go this far.

I also question the quality of vrm used on that board because typically the board revisions are lower quality as time goes on for GA.

Its got a decent VRM. I can hold 5.2Ghz on my 8320 with 1.48V (across all 4 modules). Its a 8+2 (4+1 Doubled up with (It doesn't like heat though, even at 4.0Ghz @ 1.294V if I don't have airflow on the VRMs it easily hits 70C. 5.2Ghz 100% load and with a fan blowing air on the back side of the mainboard over the VRMs.. They barely crack 60C.

The VRM is of the same design as the FX boards. The UD3P was a $119 board. So it was a premium mid-range board.

Thats the CPU VRM on the 970A-UD3P.