Will I have to change my motherboard If I upgrade my cpu?

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

My current cpu is a fx 6300 and its bottle necking my gtx 1060 6gb.I want to upgrade to a fx 8350 for now and then when I can get a job I will upgrade to a ddr4 platform.My motherboard has an am3 + socket.So will I be able to keep the same motherboard but just swap out my cpu?Thanks.

SkyNetRising · Aug 20, 2017

Upgrade from fx 6300 to fx 8350 usually doesn't require motherboard change.
But you should consult cpu compatibility list for your motherboard. It is available at support site of your motherboard manufacturer.

Anyway - i'd skip Fx 8350 upgrade and upgrade directly to DDR4 platform (this involves changing cpu, motherboard and ram).
Fx 8350 will not give you that much of improvement over Fx 6300.

Dunlop0078 · Aug 20, 2017

I would personally just start saving up for a switch to ryzen or a modern intel platform and skip the 8350 upgrade, it does not perfom all that much better than the 6300 in games especially if they are at the same clock speed.

If you have a decent motherboard and cooler I would consider overclocking the 6300, the 6300 generally has quite a bit of headroom for overclocking.

The Paladin · Aug 20, 2017

I agree spending any kind of money into the FX series is just setting yourself to be another upgrade later on to a full ryzen system save and do it right the first time and not "waste" monies on FX

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

SkyNetRising :

Yes I know what you are saying I really want to upgrade but i'm only 13.I'm going to get this cpu and then my ddr3 setup will be complete.Then when I am 16 I can get a part time job to upgrade to a ddr4 platform.It says that the fx 8350 IS compatible with my motherboard.Does this mean that I can take out the fx 6300 and put in the 8350 without getting a new motherboard?Thanks.

GhislainG · Aug 20, 2017

Are you overclocking the FX-6300? Your motherboard has the required socket to support the FX-8350, but that doesn't mean it can fully support it, particularly if you overclock it to achieve optimal performance. What motherboard do you have?

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

GhislainG :

Yes it can fully support it (I think) Look here https://www.gigabyte.com/Ajax/SupportFunction/GetCpuList/?Value=4305&Type=Product

GhislainG · Aug 20, 2017

You could try to overclock your 95W FX-6300, but overclocking a 125W FX-8350 may cause the VRM to get too hot and throttle the CPU (the frequency drops to 1.4 GHz).

You should read threads like http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2931583/8350-stability-concerns-78lmt-usb3-motherboard.html

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

GhislainG :

What if I don't overclock the fx 8350?

Dunlop0078 · Aug 20, 2017

Mongrel :

In my opinion getting an 8350 would be a waste of money regardless of if you overclock it or not.

GhislainG · Aug 20, 2017

Then the performance improvement may not be worth it. Why don't you overclock the FX-6300? Since a lot of games like higher IPC, that may be an inexpensive solution. Read threads like http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/749817-Piledriver-FX-6300-on-Gigabyte-GA-78LMT-USB3 (google to find more). Even though you are convinced you have a good motherboard, overclocking a FX-6300 may be somewhat challenging: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3331373/fx6300-overclocking-gigabyte-78lmt-usb3.html

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

Dunlop0078 :

Yes you don't have to keep saying it's the best option for me.QWith this Ill be able to play bf1 all ultra at a constant 60 fps.My brother has a gtx 1060 (same as me) and an fx 8350 and he can play basically ALL games at 60 fps ultra.

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

GhislainG :

I just want a simple answer.Can I take out my fx 6300 and put an fx 8350 in?Or will I have to get a new motherboard?

SkyNetRising · Aug 20, 2017

Mongrel :

Yes you can. But unless you're getting FX 8350 for free, I wouldn't invest money into such upgrade.

Dunlop0078 · Aug 20, 2017

Well it's your decision if you want to disregard everyone on here that's up to you. You motherboard has a 4 phase VRM, it will get quite hot with a 125watt TDP chip. Try it out the VRM may be adequate to handle an 8350, if it starts to throttle try rigging up a fan to blow air down onto the VRM.

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

Dunlop0078 :

Well i'm 13.I don't have enough money to upgrade to a ddr4 platform.It would cost around £400.

The Paladin · Aug 20, 2017

will the FX 8350 run on your motherboard, sure make sure F3 bios is on it before you swap CPUS

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

The Paladin :

It says it can here: https://www.gigabyte.com/Ajax/SupportFunction/GetCpuList/?Value=4305&Type=Product

Dunlop0078 · Aug 20, 2017

Mongrel :

Well if you subtract the 130 pounds or whatever the 8350 cost's then its only 270 pounds. Save up, I would hate to hear that at 13 as well, but I really think it's the best decision. But do what you want, that mobo will support an 8350 but keep an eye on temps and clocks, if the clocks drop unexpectedly under load the VRM is likely overheating

sizzling · Aug 20, 2017

Although supported that motherboards weak VRM's struggle with 125w CPU's. Under prolonged high usage (gaming) the VRM's are known to overheat and throttle the cpu giving unstable performance. The performance gain of a 8350 is small over your 6300 in games and means spending money on obsolete hardware. My advice is stick with your current setup until you can do an upgrade to a modern platform that will give decent gains.

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

Dunlop0078 :

Mongrel :

Well if you subtract the 130 pounds or whatever the 8350 cost's then its only 270 pounds. Save up, I would hate to hear that at 13 as well, but I really think it's the best decision. But do what you want, that mobo will support an 8350 but keep an eye on temps and clocks, if the clocks drop unexpectedly under load the VRM is likely overheating

Being 13 sucks :{

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

Dunlop0078 :

I'm gonna do what you said.I don't want to waste anymore money into ddr3.I mean I already have 16 gbs of ram in an old platform.I don't know how but hopefully in a couple of years i'll be able to upgrade to a ddr4 platform.

GhislainG · Aug 20, 2017

Mongrel :

Dunlop0078 :

Being 13 sucks :{

Most 13 years old can't afford a computer; even though you don't have the best computer, consider yourself very lucky.

Mongrel · Aug 20, 2017

GhislainG :

Mongrel :

Most 13 years old can't afford a computer; even though you don't have the best computer, consider yourself very lucky.

My friend has the exact same specs as me but he has an i7 7700 k and he gets like 30 - 40 fps more than me.I really don't know how i'm gonna get to the ddr4 platform.Im curious,what are your specs?

SkyNetRising · Aug 20, 2017

Mongrel :

That's very far from same specs. i7-7700k costs ~ 5x more than your Fx-6300.

Will I have to change my motherboard If I upgrade my cpu?

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