What are power phases and what are their effects on oc´ing

[AABK]

Hey ive been looking at two different mobos the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P (8+2 phase) and Asus M5A99X Evo R2.0 (6+2 phase) what does this meen ive been told its got an effect on oc´ing but no why. Im planning on ocíng an AMD 8350 with a noctua NH d14.

 

[SirRoderick]

They basically constitute a little power supply on the motherboard, and they convert the 12V supplied by the PSU to the voltage required by the CPU.

More power phases is a good thing because then the load on each power phase is reduced. That means they generate less heat, and that's great because heat makes them less efficient and stable. And in the worst case scenario, the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) can even overheat and be damaged (in extreme cases).

 

So if you're wanting to push a component, it's always good to have more power phases.

[Luke]

Probably a question best asked to the almighty Google. It looks like Sir Roderick knows his stuff though so i won't bother with my half-ass explanation.

[jscho]

It really doesn't matter with modern boards. Usually, it's just a marketing strategy if a board has more power phases (though in some cases, it actually is better). A power phase, put simply, is part of the power control on the motherboard to ensure that the CPU gets, clean, uninterrupted power to ensure maximum efficiency, especially at high clocks where power regulation is paramount. The Gigabyte has 10 (8+2) and the Asus has 8 (6+2), Asus say that their phases are strong, and high quality, as pretty much all of their M-ATX and larger boards have 8 phases. The number doesn't matter, it's the quality of the phases. At basic OC levels (~4.5Ghz or less), it really has zero effect on the performance and stability of the CPU. It might affect motherboard and CPU longevity, but the difference would be minute.

[Wauthar]

Probably a question best asked to the almighty Google. It looks like Sir Roderick knows his stuff though so i won't bother with my half-ass explanation.

What would be the point of the forum if everything would be better off asked to Google?

 

But @SirRoderick is right, the more power phases you have, the less stress there will be on each phase, thus resulting in more stable overclocks.

[Luke]

What would be the point of the forum if everything would be better off asked to Google?

 

But @SirRoderick is right, the more power phases you have, the less stress there will be on each phase, thus resulting in more stable overclocks.

 

Not everything is. 

[AABK]

They basically constitute a little power supply on the motherboard, and they convert the 12V supplied by the PSU to the voltage required by the CPU.

More power phases is a good thing because then the load on each power phase is reduced. That means they generate less heat, and that's great because heat makes them less efficient and stable. And in the worst case scenario, the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) can even overheat and be damaged (in extreme cases).

 

So if you're wanting to push a component, it's always good to have more power phases.

Ok so your saying that the Gigabyte is better for overclocking but cheaper at the same time SPLENDID WUHU thanks for the awnser i really like this forum it seems to have alot of active users

 

The only thing that confused me is that asus website said that it had a 6+2+2 power phase is this just a typo?

[AABK]

Hey guys i was looking at some mobos and i found this asus mobo wich seemed to have a 6+2+2 power phase wich seems wierd do you guys think this is just a typo?

 

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M5A99FX_PRO_R20

 

 

Mobo: M5A99FX PRO R.20

[Leonard]

Ok so your saying that the Gigabyte is better for overclocking but cheaper at the same time SPLENDID WUHU thanks for the awnser i really like this forum it seems to have alot of active users

 

The only thing that confused me is that asus website said that it had a 6+2+2 power phase is this just a typo?

It is not a typo and Gigabyte is not better for OCing. The 6+2+2 power phase that ASUS claims is for the CPU, iGPU, RAM. My motherboard has 16 power phases, 12 for the CPU, 4 for the iGPU and a separate 2 for the RAM. OCing is easier on it and 5Ghz is not a problem. @SirRoderick explanation about the heat is a half true. While more power phases cut the stress or current load on each power phase the heat is relatively increased as there are more of them. For example a motherboard with a power phase design of 4+1+1 will produce less heat then a motherboard that has a power design of 6+2+2 or of higher power phase design combinations. The ability to OC your CPU however does not only rely on your motherboard but the whole build and more so your OC ability, know how, cooling solution and patience. I would recommend the ASUS motherboard as their build quality is better and OCing is easier but that is not to say the Gigabyte is terrible or not as good. The Noctua NH-D14 is a very good air cooler but make sure your case can close with it installed and that you won't get problems with the RAM clearance.

[Bluejay0]

It's real alright. I believe it goes something like 6 for CPU, 2 for RAM, and two for PCI?

 

 

and two for PCI?

This I'm not sure of.

[Titanicium]

I don't actually think so… In the case of it actually being a real one it is at lest not something you would find on normal mobs/GPUs.

[Leonard]

It is not a typo and check your other post about this.

[AABK]

It is not a typo and Gigabyte is not better for OCing. The 6+2+2 power phase that ASUS claims is for the CPU, iGPU, RAM. My motherboard has 16 power phases, 12 for the CPU, 4 for the iGPU and a separate 2 for the RAM. OCing is easier on it and 5Ghz is not a problem. @SirRoderick explanation about the heat is a half true. While more power phases cut the stress or current load on each power phase the heat is relatively increased as there are more of them. For example a motherboard with a power phase design of 4+1+1 will produce less heat then a motherboard that has a power design of 6+2+2 or of higher power phase design combinations. The ability to OC your CPU however does not only rely on your motherboard but the whole build and more so your OC ability, know how, cooling solution and patience. I would recommend the ASUS motherboard as their build quality is better and OCing is easier but that is not to say the Gigabyte is terrible or not as good. The Noctua NH-D14 is a very good air cooler but make sure your case can close with it installed and that you won't get problems with the RAM clearance.

Hey thanks for your awnser dident see it there when i posted again, it was very helpfull. I definetly going for the asus board as you reccomended i hope my build goes well

[Leonard]

Hey thanks for your awnser dident see it there when i posted again, it was very helpfull. I definetly going for the asus board as you reccomended i hope my build goes well

I hope it does go well for you too.