Upgrading an AMD based system help

jojothecat99 · Jun 29, 2015

Hi, I build a AMD based gaming system about 5 years ago now. I'm starting to see some frame rate drops in some games.
I have only done one major upgrade since first buying, I got a 780ti for the system, around this time last year.

My current parts: (the ones that actually matter)

ASRock 990FX Extreme3
AMD Athlon II X4 645 Processor
780ti (reference card)

Anyway, moving on to the question.
Is buying the AMD FX8350 Black Edition the best thing to upgrade my system.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009O7YUF6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
I think that it is compatable with my motherboard but if it is not. please tell me :na:

Another thing to add is that cooling is not an issue. I have a full tower case, water cooled CPU and good quality fans.

Thanks!

holyprof · Jun 29, 2015

As you can see here http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/990FX%20Extreme3/?cat=CPU
that motherboard supports the FX-8350 since BIOS version P1.50. Just make sure you have that BIOS or later verion on it.
Also i guess you should make sure your power supply is good enough to cope with the increased power draw from the CPU.

Tell us if it worked and happy gaming!

JQB45 · Jun 29, 2015

According to the tomshardware motherboard tiers list the Extreme 3 is not recommended for the 8xxx series of processors.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2384008/motherboard-tier-list-990fx-chipset.html

holyprof · Jun 29, 2015

JQB45 :

Yes, you are probably right, they mention stability issues even without overclocking. And the water cooling will make things worse by not having the CPU fan cool the VRM mosfets.

Wisecracker · Jun 29, 2015

AMD 95w FX CPUs

The FX-8320E at £106 should work just dandy, but the FX-8370E is also supported.

It is simply a good practice when using water to engineer a small fan pointed at your VRMs ...

edit: I fergit ... :lol:

Here is the Gigabyte 970A-UD3P for £62 ... much more potent VRMs for OC'ing.

jojothecat99 · Jun 29, 2015

holyprof :

I have a 750w PSU. Would that be sufficient?
In terms of the CPU should I still go for it even with stability issues? I am gaming oriented so perhaps this CPU isn't actually the best option. Let me know your thoughts, thanks.

holyprof · Jun 29, 2015

In the Gaming CPUs performance chart, the 8350 is only 1 tier above your curent one, so the difference won't be big.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,review-32901-5.html

I think the stability issuses will only arise if you use synthetic loads like Prime 95 or similar programs that push all 8 cores to the max. I wouldn't spend money on such a small upgrade but if you decide to do it, follow wisecracker's advice and mount a fan pointed at the VRMs to cool the MOSFETs - see this thread for examples and tips: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/720295-Custom-VRM-VCORE-and-Motherboard-Cooling-is-it-worth-it

jojothecat99 · Jun 29, 2015

holyprof :

Okay. What CPU would you recommend me to get for gaming? My budget is around £130.
Should I even be upgrading my CPU? I am getting frame drops, and can no longer play alot of games on high settings. That why I was thinking of upgrading my CPU.

madmatt30 · Jun 29, 2015

Are you running your current chip at stock speeds??
If so look at an aftermarket cooler for starters.

Honestly on that board ,id probably go for a 6300 at most .
You'll see fairly significant gains at stock speeds & you could probably push 4.2ghz with a semi decent cooler.

jojothecat99 · Jun 29, 2015

madmatt30 :

I have a CPU water cooler at the moment. I'm a little bit scared to dive into overclocking, especially with the amount of power AMD chips use. However, I am willing to try it.
If I go for the 8350 for gaming, I don't think their will be stability issues, especially with the fact that I am not putting high loads on it. I'm not sure, whats your opinion?

madmatt30 · Jun 29, 2015

My opinion ??

8350 doesn't offer anything over a 6 core like the 6300 for gaming.
At 4.2ghz the 6300 will still be under the 125w tdp of a stock 8350,will draw less power & will run cooler.
It will also save you £60 or so.

Running a 6300 & a 8320 here ,both at 4.3 GHz.

While the 8320 benches higher than the 6300 in games its virtually identical at the same speed - the 6300 is my mainly used gaming rig now.

Don't be scared of overclocking,while the asrock extreme is hardly a high end board its entirely capable of overclocking a 95w 6300.

holyprof · Jun 29, 2015

Maybe a FX6300 should be the best choice. Overclocking is not that hard, water cooling helps a lot, just dont forget about the VRM fan. If you aren't sure how to overclock, i'm certain there are many posts about it here on toms forums and around th web.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1794837/6300-guide.html

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