Can I Overclock to 4Ghz with this build?

gizmo j · Nov 5, 2013

Do I need a different cooler or motherboard? If so, please recommend something cheap because money is VERY tight and I want to spend as least as possible.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8120 3.1GHz 8-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar A960D+ Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Pipeline HD 500GB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.95 @ Mwave)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($163.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($22.97 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: HEC 585W ATX12V Power Supply ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $570.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-05 00:46 EST-0500)

tiny voices · Nov 5, 2013

You do not want that CPU. It is NOT good. get an 8320 for sure.

That PSu is complete junk and will probably fry the whole computer the second you turn it on. Get an XFX, antec, Corsair, Seasonic unit.

That motherboard will not really let you overclock at all.

HugoStiglitz · Nov 5, 2013

definatly get rid of that power supply.
don't know about that motherboard either, im sure @ $40 it hasn't got alot of features and it's VRM's will be sketchy.

gizmo j · Nov 5, 2013

tiny voices :

Are you sure about the CPU? because I heard that the 8000 series are all the same but just clocked differently...

As for the PSU would this one be ok?
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

tiny voices · Nov 5, 2013

Yes, the 8000 series are NOT the same. The 8320 and the 8350 are the same but they use a different architecture than the 81xx chips, which are junk. AMD even said this. Even an fx6300 would be a much better choice than that 8120.

Yes, that is a great PSU.

gizmo j · Nov 5, 2013

tiny voices :

Well....even if the 8120 isn't as good as the 8320 can i still overclock to 4Ghz with the 8120?

tiny voices · Nov 5, 2013

Probably, but it will not perform anywhere close to a stock 8320 though.

Honestly the 6300 is a way better CPU and would be better than a highly overclocked 8120.

gizmo j · Nov 5, 2013

tiny voices :

Could you please recommend a cheap heatsink and motherboard to overclock the 8120 to 4Ghz?

I might switch to 8320 if i have enough money...

tiny voices · Nov 5, 2013

Switch to the 6300 for less money. Why pay more for a worse CPU?

Also, if you want to overclock that far you will be spending $50+ on a heatsink and $80+ on a motherboard.

gizmo j · Nov 5, 2013

tiny voices :

I want an 8 core because the ps4 and xbox one will both have 8 cores.

And are you sure i need to spend that much on a heatsink and motherboard?

tiny voices · Nov 5, 2013

Yes I'm sure. Also, you are misunderstanding how a CPU fundamentally works.

An 8120 (8-core) will be stomped into the ground by an i5 (4-core). It is not about the number of cores. It is about the architecture. This is why the fx6300 will outperform the 8120 in ANY game. The 8120 is simply junk.

Wanting an 8 core because the consoles have one is pointless and not even remotely plausible. The games are not coded the same when they are released on PC and console the there is ZERO reason to want an 8-core. Most PC games use 2 cores and some use 4.

Once again, an fx-6300 is th clear and obvious choice.

gizmo j · Nov 5, 2013

tiny voices :

OK, you've convinced me.

I'll either get the 6350 or 4350, I'm leaning towards the 4350 because i wont have to spend extra money on a board/heatsink to get to 4Ghz.....what do you think?

tiny voices · Nov 5, 2013

The 6350 is the better CPU. Plain and simple.

Also, why do you want 4ghz so bad. You know it will do nothing to improve gaming performance right? Overclocking modern CPUs is a hobby. Don't expect to run games any better than stock clocks.

gizmo j · Nov 5, 2013

tiny voices :

Overclocking wont run games better then stock clocks???

What do you mean?

tiny voices · Nov 5, 2013

The CPU only does 15% of the work when gaming. The GPU does 85% of the work. The CPU simply has to 'Keep up' with the GPU. Overclocking the CPU will likely give no gaming improvement at all.

Ronaldspiers · Nov 5, 2013

gizmo j :

He means that overclocking the CPU will barely add to your gaming performance. You probably wont see any higher FPS in most games and if you do see higher FPS it will be a really small increment, only a few FPS.

If you overclock you need to spend more on a better CPU cooler and a better motherboard. Which in some cases adds up to a large price difference.

The price - performance ratio with overclocking is not worth it.

gizmo j · Nov 5, 2013

DAMN!

Now i don't know what kind of build to get

I'll have to do more research i guess....

tiny voices · Nov 5, 2013

You want a better GPU not a better CPU.

Your 7870XT is a good match for an fx6300.

sora · Nov 5, 2013

gizmo j :

Yeah, that PSU is a lot better.

gizmo j · Nov 6, 2013

Ive been doing some research on the importance of the CPU for gaming....and its not nearly as important as I though it was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIT9uLDjZcg

Now I'm thinking I want a CPU that is just as good as the ps4 or xbox one CPU, what do you guys think would be equivalent to the next gen consoles?

I was looking at the Athlon II X4 760K...

tiny voices · Nov 6, 2013

That CPU has no L3 cache which is important for gaming.

You should get an fx-6300. It is a VERY good CPU for the money.

Can I Overclock to 4Ghz with this build?

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