[RochXS]

Hi there.

A few days ago i managed to grab a FX-8350, my MoBo is an Asus M5A97 everything works fine but when i'm trying to do some OC and estabilize it (at 4.5Ghz) it just do it setting the vCore to 1.54v, wich i think is too much voltage for such frecuency (and you can imagine the high temps generated because of that). My PSU is a CM GX650. Additionally, in one occasion during the stability tests, the AI software (Asus) warning me about a voltage drop in the +3.3v rail, so i don't know if it is because of my PSU or simply my MoBo is not the proper one for OC things (even when my previous FX-6100 gets to 4.5Ghz stable in the past)?? probably my chip is not good for OC?.

The M5A97 have 6+2 power phases and the Sabertooth 8+2, i've read before that more power phases = better potential for OC so that i'm thinking in replace my MoBo buying a Sabertooth 990FX or replace my PSU for a Seasonic X650 (assuming that my actual PSU is the cause of the problem).

Finally, i know that both things will be great, but i dont have that money (at least in this moment) and i don't want to spend it in something that will not give an OC improvement, so i need your advise to choose well...

For which of the two things worth spending my money (favoring the one that will give me a better OC) MoBo or PSU?.

BTW i'm using a H100i cooler and the GPU (HD6950) is in stock settings.

 

[Heuchler]

Asus M5A97 Pro and Evo have 6+2 VRM
Asus M5A97 has 4+2 VRM

That could be the problem depending on what model you got.

 

[<({D34TH})>]

Do you have the Pro or normal model?

 

[RochXS]

Yep is the normal one, so i was wrong about the number of power phases =/.

 

[RochXS]

Bumping hehe... waiting for more replies.

 

[dixson01974]

What cpu cooler do you have?
Nevermind I saw you have a H100i.

EDIT
Asus Sabertooth is a great mobo.
Cool Master doesn't really build good PSU for ocing.

If your are looking to switch both PSU & mobo out at the same time. You may want to look at Biostar TA990FXE and Seasonic/Antec/Corsair 650w PSU.
Biostar TA990FXE is a good mobo.
Seasonic/Antec/Corsair are better built PSU then that CM GX650.

 

[RochXS]

Thanks i didn't know biostar build good MoBo's, here in mexico not sell that model. I need to choose one of both things MoBo or PSU and i would like to know wich one will give me noticeable improvement in OC?.

 

[dixson01974]

Mobo to look at.
ASRock 990FX Extreme4
ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX
ASRock 990FX Extreme9
GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD5 / UD7
ASUS SABERTOOTH R2.0
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z

All of them are great mobo. My favorite is the Asus Sabertooth.

 

[RochXS]

Just to know, in your opinion a better MoBo gives noticeable OC improvements than a better PSU?

The asus sabertooth r2.0 is at good price here and i can afford it, i think is the best option.

 

[Heuchler]

What version of the Cooler Master GX650 do you have ?

The Enhance made GX 650W V2 Bronze seem good (not great, but not bad).
The Seventeam built GX650 v1 seem bad (has the 80 Plus rated
while V2 has 80 Plus Bronze sticker.

If you have Version 2 I would get a new motherboard and enjoy overclocking
your FX-8350. If you have V1 you might need a new PSU. No need to harm
you system with a bad power supply. Either way you really shouldn't overclock
till you get either new PSU (if you have V1) or a new motherboard.

Cooler Master GX 650W V1 Review
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/11/22/cooler_master_gx_650w_power_supply_review/9#.USEWOqVZloQ

dixson motherboard list is sold. all great board.

add
GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3
ASUS M5A99X EVO
ASUS M5A97 PRO/EVO

 

[RochXS]

I have the 80 plus version, then maybe i'll buy a better PSU and wait a little more to get a new MoBo.