[Rajang]

Hello, I just recently built a rig and I've been struggling to get it to anywhere between 4.0~4.2 Ghz.
I saw on another site with the same mobo, stablizing at lower voltages than I. Mine cannot even boot on 4.0 with having around 1.4 CPU voltage. Usually when I run prime95, my 4th core is fails a lot. And then when I find the correct voltage where it doesn't crash. I open up something like Guild Wars 2 while I have Skype running. As soon as the game loads the map, it freezes, kills Skype, and stuff becomes pixelated. However, there is no BSOD. Any help?

My rig:
MSI 970A-G46 motherboard
Phenom II X4 965 BE 125W, C3 Stepping
2x Ripjaws X 4GB 1600 mhz - 2T-9-9-9-24
Hyper Evo 212+ CPU fan
MSI 660 TI Twin Frozr 3GB
Rosewill Capstone 750W

 

[PCCstudent]

Concluding the suitability of your motherboard for high overclocks exists. If you want to go high with the Phenom II line you need volts and you need to control temps.Not really a 4.0+MHz daily driver

 

[Rajang]

I had seen a compiled list of suitable motherboards somewhere on these forums. It said mine was good for overclocking only with a note that it would throttle the FX series. I'm really thinking about getting a Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3, ASUS M5A99X Evo, or that 990 Sabertooth in hopes to alleviate this problem if it is the motherboard. But I'm trying to see what I can do with this one first.

 

[tomhrxbfg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajang

I had seen a compiled list of suitable motherboards somewhere on these forums. It said mine was good for overclocking only with a note that it would throttle the FX series. I'm really thinking about getting a Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3, ASUS M5A99X Evo, or that 990 Sabertooth in hopes to alleviate this problem if it is the motherboard. But I'm trying to see what I can do with this one first.

Don't forget the asrock 990fx pro or the extreme9, both are 12+2 phases, and I reached 4.1Ghz (965) with stock voltage just by upping multiplier.

 

[Grmadness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomhrxbfg

Don't forget the asrock 990fx pro or the extreme9, both are 12+2 phases, and I reached 4.1Ghz (965) with stock voltage just by upping multiplier.

Have you stress tested your CPU?

 

[Grmadness]

Can't edit my post
http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database

 

[LuckySe7ens]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajang

I had seen a compiled list of suitable motherboards somewhere on these forums. It said mine was good for overclocking only with a note that it would throttle the FX series. I'm really thinking about getting a Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3, ASUS M5A99X Evo, or that 990 Sabertooth in hopes to alleviate this problem if it is the motherboard. But I'm trying to see what I can do with this one first.

That list says this:

VRM protection added w/BIOS 7693v14; will THROTTLE with FX 8-core

On my motherboard, when I go past the VRM limit it drops one core in Prime. (~3.6ghz on my AM2 board)

I suspsect that this is your problem as well.

The MSI AM3 boards are pretty well known for having poor power delivery.

 

[Rajang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomhrxbfg

Don't forget the asrock 990fx pro or the extreme9, both are 12+2 phases, and I reached 4.1Ghz (965) with stock voltage just by upping multiplier.

Those boards just look like they can push past 4.0. Cannot decide on with one. Leaning more towards the 990FX Pro. Thanks!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckySe7ens

That list says this:

VRM protection added w/BIOS 7693v14; will THROTTLE with FX 8-core

On my motherboard, when I go past the VRM limit it drops one core in Prime. (~3.6ghz on my AM2 board)

I suspsect that this is your problem as well.

The MSI AM3 boards are pretty well known for having poor power delivery.

I see. I'm happy with their GPU at least, but they can have their board back. Never buying again, haha. Sitting at 3.6 ghz right now as well, since I know better not to go for the clock.

 

[FlashFir]

www.overclock.net/t/943109/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-125w-tdp-processors/0_100
www.overclock.net/amd-motherboards/946407-amd-motherboard-power-phase-list.html

mine took 1.424-1.44vcore (1.4 is stock) to get to 4ghz. 3.8 is doable on stock sometimes. had a 970a-ud3 which has a solid setup.

MSI 970a-g45/g46 are dangerous bombs which can't even run some processors at stock.

 

[Grmadness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlashFir

www.overclock.net/t/943109/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-125w-tdp-processors/0_100
www.overclock.net/amd-motherboards/946407-amd-motherboard-power-phase-list.html

mine took 1.424-1.44vcore (1.4 is stock) to get to 4ghz. 3.8 is doable on stock sometimes. had a 970a-ud3 which has a solid setup.

MSI 970a-g45/g46 are dangerous bombs which can't even run some processors at stock.

Agreed! MSI's last solid boards were with the 790FX chipset imo.

 

[LuckySe7ens]

On the cheap, any of these is fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138348

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131873

after those is the ud3, m5a99, etc

 

[FlashFir]

the m5a97 EVO is recommended the non evo isn't as strong as the UD3 since

UD3 ~ M5A97 EVO
M5A97 is underneath both... Biostar is solid as well. I'd prefer the 970a-ud3 phase count though

 

[VitalShot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlashFir

www.overclock.net/t/943109/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-125w-tdp-processors/0_100
www.overclock.net/amd-motherboards/946407-amd-motherboard-power-phase-list.html

mine took 1.424-1.44vcore (1.4 is stock) to get to 4ghz. 3.8 is doable on stock sometimes. had a 970a-ud3 which has a solid setup.

MSI 970a-g45/g46 are dangerous bombs which can't even run some processors at stock.

What cooler did you use to get it that high? I have a C3 that's stock voltage is 1.475V. And it can only hit 3.8 with that voltage for me.

 

[rogha189]

The highest I ever got my 965BE on that same mobo/cooler configuration was 4.0 GHz. I had stability and heating issues past that level. I ran it @ 4.0 ghz 24/7 for about 9 months without a single problem (discontinued current use because i dropped in an 8350).

 

[FlashFir]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitalShot

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlashFir

www.overclock.net/t/943109/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-125w-tdp-processors/0_100
www.overclock.net/amd-motherboards/946407-amd-motherboard-power-phase-list.html

mine took 1.424-1.44vcore (1.4 is stock) to get to 4ghz. 3.8 is doable on stock sometimes. had a 970a-ud3 which has a solid setup.

MSI 970a-g45/g46 are dangerous bombs which can't even run some processors at stock.

What cooler did you use to get it that high? I have a C3 that's stock voltage is 1.475V. And it can only hit 3.8 with that voltage for me.

955 c3 @ 70F ambients
212+

upgraded to d14 but didn't push it any higher.

 

[VitalShot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlashFir

955 c3 @ 70F ambients
212+

upgraded to d14 but didn't push it any higher.

lol lucky, I guess I shouldn't even be trying to overclock my CPU because it's stock VID is 1.475. It runs fine at stock clocks at 1.375 I haven't tried to go lower, but even 3.8 like I said takes me every bit of my stock VID. 3.9 is my max at 1.5 volts. I got a really crappy chip, I honestly have yet to see anyone with a worse Phenom II X4.

 

[Grmadness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitalShot

lol lucky, I guess I shouldn't even be trying to overclock my CPU because it's stock VID is 1.475. It runs fine at stock clocks at 1.375 I haven't tried to go lower, but even 3.8 like I said takes me every bit of my stock VID. 3.9 is my max at 1.5 volts. I got a really crappy chip, I honestly have yet to see anyone with a worse Phenom II X4.

Have you tried to raise the FSB? It usually gives better results to have it raised and using lower multipliers.

 

[VitalShot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grmadness

Have you tried to raise the FSB? It usually gives better results to have it raised and using lower multipliers.

Tried it, system didn't boot after 205 lol. I know something probably needed it's multiplier/timings changed (RAM I'm looking at you) but I didn't have time to play around with it. Besides I have a Black Edition CPU, I might as well take advantage of that. As far as I know using the FSB won't get my CPU any higher though, it will just increase the speed of my NB and RAM as well.

 

[FlashFir]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grmadness

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitalShot

lol lucky, I guess I shouldn't even be trying to overclock my CPU because it's stock VID is 1.475. It runs fine at stock clocks at 1.375 I haven't tried to go lower, but even 3.8 like I said takes me every bit of my stock VID. 3.9 is my max at 1.5 volts. I got a really crappy chip, I honestly have yet to see anyone with a worse Phenom II X4.

Have you tried to raise the FSB? It usually gives better results to have it raised and using lower multipliers.

No... you are ignoring his problem of flipping the multiplier and windows not booting.
Quote:

Originally Posted by VitalShot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grmadness

Have you tried to raise the FSB? It usually gives better results to have it raised and using lower multipliers.

Tried it, system didn't boot after 205 lol. I know something probably needed it's multiplier/timings changed (RAM I'm looking at you) but I didn't have time to play around with it. Besides I have a Black Edition CPU, I might as well take advantage of that. As far as I know using the FSB won't get my CPU any higher though, it will just increase the speed of my NB and RAM as well.

OP. I'd bet $20 on the fact that you don't have a broken CPU and something else is the problem. What is your VCORE when you flip up the multiplier? Is it set to auto?

 

[Grmadness]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitalShot

Tried it, system didn't boot after 205 lol. I know something probably needed it's multiplier/timings changed (RAM I'm looking at you) but I didn't have time to play around with it. Besides I have a Black Edition CPU, I might as well take advantage of that. As far as I know using the FSB won't get my CPU any higher though, it will just increase the speed of my NB and RAM as well.

Then just use a lower multi for your NB to keep it as close to stock as possible, lower your RAM divider and you have more headroom to raise the FSB. And if that helps (it will) try raising the CPU/NB voltage one step,it helps with IMC stability.