Can't get a stable clock even at 3.5GHz (fx-8320)

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DazleFrazle

DazleFrazle

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Oct 7, 2013
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Hey all. I'm not sure if there something that I'm doing horribly wrong but heres my story and of course my machine. I've ran plenty of tests. By the way, this is my first overclock.

CPU: FX-8320
FAN: Zalman CNPS12X
Mobo: GA-970A-UD3
PSU: EVGA 600w Bronze
GPU: Gigabyte R9 270X
RAM: Adata 2600MHz 2x4gb

My settings:
Hypertransport: 2400Mhz (default)
Northbridge: 2200MHz (default)
core boost: disabled
CPU unlock: enabled
c&q: disabled
C1E: disabled
SVM: disabled
core C6 state: disabled

I left vcore to default settings which happened to be auto.

What occured was enough though my frequencies were set to 3.5ghz, or 4.0ghz, My frequencies drop between the set freq and a multiplier of 14.5.

After thinking it was a vcore issue. I change all my voltage from "auto" to the default setting. Nothing changed. Then I gave a bit more vcore +0.25. I also tried puting the LLC to normal, then extreme. Still nothing changed.

The ONLY thing that worked to keep stable was the HPC setting enabled. Though I'm not certain what this does. I was also afraid that it might be my VRM getting too hot that's been throttling my CPU. So I left my window open during the night with the PC off. To let the VRM heatsink get real cold. Then started the computer and tested at cold temps. Didn't change anything.

Should I be enabling the HPC setting? Or is this risking damaging another component thats getting too hot?

I also read that for my CPU the default HT-Link was 2600MHz, could this be why? I'm afraid to turn it up to 2600MHz as I'm not sure if my motherboard supports it (my motherboard manual isn't great in explaining that.


I would greatly appreciate thoughts from experience overclockers.
 
Solution
ldewitt



Yes that typical that means its not blazing hot where as soon as you touch it you have to pull away from it burning you.
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ldewitt

ldewitt

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HPC is High Performance Computing. So i imagine that should be left on. What happens if you keep the stock voltages and change your multiplier to 20.0? I'm not sure if the 8320 is similar to the 8120, but i have the 8120(stock 3.1) and all i had to change was the multiplier to 20.0 and i get a stable 4.1ghz, that its been at for the past 6 months. NO issues whats so ever i play mw3 (all high settings) and Counter Strike Global Offensive(All high settings) and i've prime95'd it for 12 hours all cores 100% and 7 of my 8GB 100% no issues at all........but i can say one difference is i have a Liquid cooler on my cpu(antec khuler 920).
 
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menetlaus

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Jul 19, 2007
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Are you sure there is a problem?

While it seems strange that the CPU is going into a lower frequency mode with C&Q/C1E modes disabled... but other than that the CPU is doing what it is (usually) supposed to - save power at idle.

Try running something that makes a CPU load (any CPU benchmark software will do) and report what the frequencies do under load. Also wouldn't hurt to get some monitoring software that can report on CPU (and ideally more) temps.

If temps are <70C and frequency stays up under load... your C&Q/C1E/other setting in bios are broken and always on.
 
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DazleFrazle

DazleFrazle

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Oh I forgot to mention I guess. When it's Idle my frequencies are where I had set them. When it's under large loads (intel burn test) that's when it throttles down. When I do a blend test with p95 it occurs much less often, when I do a large data set with p95 it throttles down again.

My CPU temps are always fine. My northbridge reaches 45C. My CPU temps are below 50C at full load.

The only thing that works to keep it stable is the HPC setting. Though I just want to double check whether this is normal, and that there is nothing malfunctioning in terms of my mobo. I fear the problem is my VRM heatsink that is getting too hot.
 
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menetlaus

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If willing to risk a minor burn... load up the system and (gently) touch the VRM/heatsinks.

If there is a heatsink on the VRM's it might not hurt to pull it off - replace the thermal pads/paste and re-attach... as poor/no contact somewhere between the heatsink and VRM could cause one to overheat.

Alternatively try undervolting (and underclocking if needed) as the PSU might not be able to power an overvolted/overclocked FX-8320 and R9 270X. If it runs fine like this - either the temps being reported are incorrect or the issue is in power delivery.
 
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ldewitt

ldewitt

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Im pretty sure 600w is plenty for his setup
 
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DazleFrazle

DazleFrazle

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Woops! I didn't mean to select the solution. I tried to select quotes! Is there a way to change this?!

When I touch the VRM heatsink at full load @ 4.0 I can touch it for around 6 seconds before it starts to feel as though I need to take my fingers off. Is this typical?

And yes, 600w seems more than enough for this setup.
 
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COLGeek

COLGeek

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Done! Good luck!
 
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ldewitt

ldewitt

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Yes that typical that means its not blazing hot where as soon as you touch it you have to pull away from it burning you.
 
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Solution
DazleFrazle

DazleFrazle

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Oct 7, 2013
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So I am guessing my throttling wasn't due to my VRM because it was occuring at 3.5ghz. So I decided to enable HPC as the solution and monitoring closely the MOSFET (this is the VRM heatsink correct?).

I am wondering whether this is okay. Right now I am running intelburntest on very high. I can briefly touch the heatsink without getting burned but I wouldn't leave my finger on there for longer than a brief second. Is this typical?

As you pointed out idewitt, it only becomes a problem if it isn't blazing hot where as soon as you touch it you have to pull away from it burning you? Could anyone else back this up? I have roughly 1 second buffer from that.
 
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skippio77

skippio77

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Nov 30, 2013
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have you checked your ram if you have ram that is not supported you may have to enter the ram figures manually in bios . piledrivers can have problems with ram over 1866 so try playing with that first . get the ram setting from manufacturers website and manually enter the timings . . my piledriver did the same thing when I first got it b4 I found out they can have issures with ram .
 
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