Advice on Overclocking AMD FX-8320 (plus new case/cooling system help)

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LunarUmbra

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Hello all, I need some advice on overclocking my amd FX-8320 (stock cooler). Here are some of my specs.

No aftermarket coolers.
Case:Sirius 206 http://www.azzatek.com/m/2010-1307-126179.php?Lang=en
PSU: 650 xfx ts edition (bronze) https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014
CPU: Amd fx 8320 black edition 3.5 ghz (4.0 ghz turbo)
Motherboard: Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 (Rev 4.0)
GPU: Asus GTX 660 2gb

I studied how overclocking works quite a bit and used that Bulldozer guide that I see used everywhere. I'm thinking of switching to ryzen soon, or intel, but I have never overclocked before and thought I might as well try now.

I seem to be able to get around 4.2ghz while overclocking, but I think the issue might be my temperatures as I see them get relatively high (I think I was read that 70 C and above while under load is too high, but I wasn't sure). This is most likely because I don't have an after market cooler. Also because the front fan on my case isn't working, but I can't figure out why as it's not a common case, and google didn't help much.

Since I was upgrading anyways I might as well get my new case and cooling system anyways. I was thinking of getting this case for my current rig until I replace everything for my new rig. https://pcpartpicker.com/product/xjZ2FT/phanteks-case-phec416pbk

I believe this case is probably my best bet, unless I could find something on sale, or cheaper with about the same efficiency. If I also need a cooler, then could someone recommend me something relatively cheap that will work for now?

Lastly some random questions I couldn't find answers to. I know with Bios settings you should disable features like cool & quiet, AMD turbo, etc. Do I enable those features again once I figure out my optimal overclock settings, or leave them off? If I am supposed to re enable some of them which ones am I supposed to? Finally is that when I went to make sure my bios was up to date I used msinfo32 to check and it had reads as BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. F2, 7/15/2013. When I go to check the version and update do I have to download the one that has F2 as its version, or am I just supposed to download the newest one that is version F3 for me?

Thanks for any help you can provide me, and have a nice day.
 
Solution
Rhinofart
3rd party software may not have the proper interraction with the hardware that a manufacturer's software may have. You may be trying to do just a 5% bump in speed, but end up trying to put out 10% or 15% which can cause damage. Just kooky things like that.
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Supahos

Supahos

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Don't throw a $70 case at a old build. Just buy a fan they're cheap.

Do not try and actually oc that processor on the stock cooler. They call it a stock cooler because it'll keep it below meltdown temps at stock speeds, not because it has lots of oc headroom. I wouldn't spend any money on that build personally, but if you must, get a case fan to replace the dead one and a CPU cooler that can be used in a future build
 
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Rhinofart

Rhinofart

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Don't EVER overclock with stock cooler. Get your system in order first before starting the OC journey.
Make sure your case fans are all working properly in the correct order. Front case fans pulling cool air into the case, and top / rear case fans exhausting out of the case. Get a good aftermarket cooler, and some Thermal Paste. Clean off the stock thermal paste, put the new stuff on according to proper methods for your paste, install your aftermarket cooler, and start the long journey of Overclocking.
The best / most stable overclocks are made with Babysteps, a crapload of testing for stability, and then taking a few more baby steps.
As for your Random questions. Leave Speedstep Cool&Quiet, and stuff like that disabled.
Only update to versions that are specific to your Motherboard. If you accidentally flash a wrong BIOS you can brick your system.
 
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LunarUmbra

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I am getting that case as it supports my current set up, and I will use it for my new set up once I get that. I have that part figured out already. I wouldn't buy a 60-70 dollar case for this rig, but it will work with my new rig I am getting as well, so I was more debating if I should get this case now, or see if something more cost effective came along.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/g3G76X My new rig will be something like this.

The case does fit my current set up and will fit my new one which is why I picked it. I'm actually not quite sure how after market coolers translate to different builds. I thought after market coolers worked for both of my rigs, but does the motherboard/processor affect the aftermarket cooler? I am just making sure.
 
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Rhinofart

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Yes, you have to make sure you get an aftermarket cooler to fit the socket you are using. AM3+, 1151, 2011v3, etc are all just examples. A lot of aftermarket coolers come with mounting hardware to fit multiple socket types.
 
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LunarUmbra

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I have done most of what you said (except I don't have an after market cooler yet), but I will probably just get my new case since it fits my old rig, as well as my new one. Does that mean after market coolers are affected by your processor, and your motherboard. I thought it was just a space and location issue for the most part. Thanks for the help though.
 
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Rhinofart

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The space and size constraints are only part of the equation. How the cooler attaches to the motherboard / processor is the MOST important. You need the right base on the cooler to attach to the mounting system on the motherboard. Simply put, you can't put a square peg in a round hole without either wrecking the peg, the hole, or both. ;)
The height of the cooler is also important to know. The height of the cooler must fit within the area between the top of the CPU package, and the inside of the case wall.
 
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LunarUmbra

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Okay, that makes sense. The one I linked early fits both I believe, but I think I am going to get a cheaper motherboard as I don't think a 170 dollar motherboard is necessary for me, so I will keep that in mind. The coolers I linked seem to be perfect, but might be a bit too expensive. I guess my biggest issue at this point would be deciding on ryzen, or intel since that can drastically alter my build. I kinda just wanted a case/cooler system that supports my old rig, then when the time comes it will support my new rig as well.
 
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FvGa83

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I'm also trying to get the max out of my 8320 with a evo 212 on a asus m5a97 r2.0, so far left everything as is just changed the multiplier to get to 4200mhz. Getting max 59C in prime95 after 1 hour indle 33C.
 
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Rhinofart

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That's not too bad of a temp at all.
Now, if it's stable, you can "fiddle" around with your settings to see if you can get a little bit more out of it. But keep in mind, your temps are only going to go up from here. It might not be worth trying to squeeze any more out of it.
 
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LunarUmbra

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Just some testing and I did find I was able to overclock with stable performance without after market coolers and kept my temperatures below 60. I think I was underclocked when I turned off amd turbo and all of the other features. Unless there is something I am missing as long as the temperature isn't high, and my computer functions normally I should be safe right?
 
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FvGa83

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That fiddling ended very fast unfortunately, I bumped it up to 4400mhz (still everything on auto) and got blue screen within 10 min of running prime95 cpu was around 50C. I'm now back to a stable 4200mhz. Guess now I have to dive deeper in the settings which are alot.
 
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LunarUmbra

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If anyone is still helping, just another random question. What makes 3rd party cpu overclock software bad? I don't use it because I was warned not to, but was just curious. Say for exampleI wanted to lower my cpu voltage very slightly because I forgot in bios to save me the trouble of restarting every time.
 
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Rhinofart

Rhinofart

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3rd party software may not have the proper interraction with the hardware that a manufacturer's software may have. You may be trying to do just a 5% bump in speed, but end up trying to put out 10% or 15% which can cause damage. Just kooky things like that.
 
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