[Advice] Recieving poor results with FX-8150 Overclocking

[Galactimus]

I'm having some trouble Overclocking. This is my first PC which I got custom built and thus the first time I've ever overclocked as well (specs in my profile). However I came into this prepared. I've watched tons of step-by-step videos. I've read a detailed guide on how to use the Sabertooth 990FX BIOS. I've been to troubleshooting forums where other 8150 users had problems. I even printed off an in-depth Overclocking guide for beginners.


First I turned off all of my power saving features in the BIOS as well as Turbo. Next, for a basic starting point I increased my multiplier to 20 (3.6GHz increased to 4.0GHz) and I increased my stock voltage from 1.33 to 1.4 and saved my settings. Windows started just fine so I ran Prime95 for 8 hours with not a single hiccup. A nice performance increase on my benchmarks as well. Success! But I can't seem to go further then this. Below is the table I created while I was Overclocking:


Speed | CPU Voltage | Stable | CPU Temperature (at load) | Time Tested

3,600 | 1.3300 | Yes | 32.8 | (Default)

4,000 | 1.4000 | Yes | 48.0 | 8 hours

4,100 | 1.4000 | No

4,100 | 1.4180 | No

4,100 | 1.4375 | No | 56.0 | 4 hours (After torture testing this a second time it failed)

4,200 | 1.4375 | No

4,200 | 1.4500 | No

4,200 | 1.4750 | No

4,200 | 1.5000 | No


While I'm happy I've achieved at least some basic overclocking I'm not very happy with the results considering the FX-8150's biggest selling point is its overclocking ability. And I'm not limited in anyway by my motherboard as a youtube video showed someone going to 5,000 with the Sabertooth 990FX. The research I did prior to overclocking showed most people were achieving 4,400 - 4,500 speeds using just air with the FX-8150 and up to 5,000 using H100 Corsair liquid cooling (which I'm using.) Yet, with a similar set up to them I can't seem to hit 4,200. And even at 4,100 my temperatures are already nearing the temperature cut off point of 61 degrees (56.0).


Thoughts? (^_^ ;; )

[killjoyjim]

WELCOME TO PURE OC

[Doctor_Death]

Welcome to Pure OC, we have a great bunch of guys here, always willing to help out. Can you please tell us what you have the v core set at ? When we reviewed the FX 8150, we had to go over 1.5v to hit 5GHz.
Try raising your v core to 1.4 or 1.45v and see if you can reach 4GHz - 4.5GHz

Thanks

[Galactimus]

Right now I'm set at 4.1GHz at a Vcore of 1.4375. In my chart: CPU Voltage = Vcore. I bumped Vcore from 1.4375 to 1.45 to 1.475 and 1.5 but I'm still failing almost immediately in Prime95 at 4,200. I've also tried 4,300 at 1.5 vcore just for fun and still no luck.

[Doctor_Death]

What kind of memory are youn using, and what the specs ? 1333MHz, 1600MHz, 1866MHz, or 2133MHz and what's voltage set at ?

[Doctor_Death]

It would also help if you could post some screenshots or photos of your Bio Settings, this way my AMD reviewer can take a look and possibly help you get a stable OC.

Thanks

[Solara2xb]

What is your CPU/NB set at?? Default is normally at 1.1volts, you need to bump it up to 1.35volts for anything above 4.2ghz, otherwise it will throttle down and fail or get tons of VDroop.

Also when it comes to temps, it really depends on each persons set-up. While some can achieve better temps using the same cooler you also have to look at the environment you are in and also what your case temps are and your air flow.. Not every case can give good temps and setting everything up properly will certainly help.

[Galactimus]

What kind of memory are you using, and what the specs? 1333MHz, 1600MHz, 1866MHz, or 2133MHz and what's voltage set at ?

Memory Type: DDR3
Installed Memory: 16384 MBytes
Channels: Dual
Memory Frequency: Manually set it to 1600 Mhz
Voltage: Not sure where to check that but I included screenshots of every page.

What is your CPU/NB set at?? Default is normally at 1.1volts, you need to bump it up to 1.35volts for anything above 4.2ghz, otherwise it will throttle down and fail or get tons of VDroop.

I just checked the BIOS and I think its AUTO settings were at 1.2 volts. I just increased it to 1.35 volts as you suggested and saved my settings. I'll try and aim for 4,200GHz with this new setting in a little while. Included in the screenshots coming up.

[Galactimus]

Screenshots of BIOS:

1. http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/t...1213135437.png

2. http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/t...1213135543.png

3. http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/t...1213135613.png

4. http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/t...1213135732.png

5. http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/t...1213135752.png

Thanks for your feedback guys (^_^)v


Edit: After changing the CPU/NB voltage from 1.2 to 1.35 I tried Prime95 at 4,200 and 1.4375v (CPU) and failed. Tried again and 4,200 and 1.44 CPU Voltage and failed. Fails after about 20 seconds instead of immediately. 4,100GHz at 1.4375v is still perfectly stabilized after 4 hours of torture testing.

[Solara2xb]

You still may need a little more vcore, Also what is your LLC set at??? You should be able to make some adjustment to LLC (Load Line Calibration) to help with the VRM stability. Most boards have it set at Auto, but you can change it to High or Very high (some boards will say Extreme). This will help with Vdroop in your OC.

My rule of thumb with AMD chips is Vcore @ 1.48volts, CPU/NB at 1.35volts sometimes it may need a little more like 1.40volts. But starting at 1.35v is always best.

Ram, don't manually set just yet. Leave it at auto and if your ram is rated at 1600mhz, it should be set to that.
Leave everything else on Auto, Turn off ALL power saving features and start with upping the Mulitplier. at x20 it should be 4.0, try x21 should be 4.2ghz and run prime for 2 hours and see if it fails or not... if not bump it up until you start to fail immediately. That should at least you started.

On my FX8120 - (down clocked 8150) I had mine at 1.51 volts with CPU/NB at 1.35volts and was able to hit 4.8ghz stable with prime for 24 hours.
Using a gigabyte 990FX-UD5 Rev.1 board. LLC set at high all under custom water cooling. Temps under 58c the entire time.

[SamCR3]

Kenny said it all. that has been my experience with the FX-8120 as well.

[Galactimus]

I just tried again at your recommended settings:

4,200GHz
CPU: 1.48v
CP/NB: 1.35v

Windows starts up absolutely fine (like always) but these settings failed 5 minutes into Prime95. I have no idea why I can't get past 4,100GHz with this brand new system. I would have bought a Sandybridge if I knew I wouldn't be able to overclock the 8150 to 4,500 - 5,000GHz. Still trying to troubleshoot this problem.


Edit: Now I just tried going back to my safe settings:

4,100GHz
CPU: 1.4375
CP/NB: 1.2v

And now I failed 5 min into Prime95. By the gods. Now I'm all the way back to 4,000 @ 1.40v. This doesn't make any sense to me as I've followed guides and your recommendations exactly. (^_^ ;; )

[Doctor_Death]

Who makes the memory your using ? By the way Kenny [ Solara2xb ] is Pure OC's motherboard reviewer, for both AMD & Intel.
Did you turn off all power saving features ?

[SamCR3]

Overclocking takes a lot of patience. As Stan said, I suspect this is a memory issue but when I'm not on the way out the door to work I will take a closer look at your screen shots and help you sort this out. Both Kenny and I have a fair amount of experience with AMD systems so you came to the right place.

[Doctor_Death]

Like Sam said, It could very well be a memory problem, which is why I asked you which company makes your memory. We also need to know if you disabled the power saving features ?


Thanks

[Solara2xb]

just looked at your last SS, Disable APM Mode... and run it again...
thats a power saving feature and can hinder OC if not disabled .

Like Sam and Stan said, sometimes memory can affect your OC... but if its set at Auto you should be ok, unless you have a faulty stick... Also what mode are you running Prime in???
Run small FFTs.. this way you can take ram out of the equation during prime.. Blend mode puts stress on the memory, so if its the memory that can cause it to fail and sometimes not the actual OC of the processor..