Overclocking FX-6300

[The_Crawfish]

Hi everyone!

 

I have decided that I would like to try and overclock my computer finally, but I do not know what I am doing.  First off, I want to know if my motherboard, Asus M5A97 R2.0, is safe to overclock on.  If it is okay, I need help with what to do.  I understand that you have to go into the BIOS, go to advanced mode, then into Ai tweaker.  However, once I get to Ai tweaker I am lost.

 

So, fellow members of Linus Tech Tips, can you help me?

[Bluejay0]

1. Yes it is safe to overclock on.

2. Go to youtube. It' a great place to start if you want to have a full step by step guide on overclocking.

[The_Crawfish]

I've been on YouTube for nearly all day looking for what to do.  I haven't found a good video yet, so I thought I'd try my luck here.

[asusfan]

Yes that board is pretty good, i used to have that same one until i got a even newer board this time last year. (now 990fx)

 

If you can use Asus AI suite II it might of come on a cd with the board or you can download it from Asus website in the support section.

 

Its easy to use and you don't need to go into the Bios, its interface is easy to use in the programme when installed onto Windows.

 

That's what i use and its easy. so try downloading AI Suite II

[PC_Master99]

Go look at some of the LinusTechTips videos on overclocking, great in depth tutuorials!

[The_Crawfish]

Okay, so I did find a video that helped me out a lot!  Did as it said and got it to 4.01 gHz, and it seems to be stable after around 4 hours of Prime95(my mom won't let me run it overnight).  I tried to get it to 4.3gHz, but it BSOD as soon as I tested with Prime95.

 

I'm wondering if I have to change anything, like the voltage, to obtain a stable overclock, or if that's too high for my motherboard.

[TechFan@ic]

Okay, so I did find a video that helped me out a lot!  Did as it said and got it to 4.01 gHz, and it seems to be stable after around 4 hours of Prime95(my mom won't let me run it overnight).  I tried to get it to 4.3gHz, but it BSOD as soon as I tested with Prime95.

 

I'm wondering if I have to change anything, like the voltage, to obtain a stable overclock, or if that's too high for my motherboard.

Using CPU-Z, monitor the voltage under Prime95 small FFT, write down the highest reading you see.

Go to the BIOS again, AI tweaker, change the CPU voltage from auto to manual, now put that reading you saw + 0.25v and now try for 4.1Ghz, if it's stable run again at 4.2Ghz and so on, until it's unstable again, then raise the voltage again by 0.25v.

Do this routine until your CPU starts hitting 62C on the core in Prime95 after 30 minutes, that's the highest clock that's safe for your CPU & cooling.

[The_Crawfish]

Using CPU-Z, monitor the voltage under Prime95 small FFT, write down the highest reading you see.

Go to the BIOS again, AI tweaker, change the CPU voltage from auto to manual, now put that reading you saw + 0.25v and now try for 4.1Ghz, if it's stable run again at 4.2Ghz and so on, until it's unstable again, then raise the voltage again by 0.25v.

Do this routine until your CPU starts hitting 62C on the core in Prime95 after 30 minutes, that's the highest clock that's safe for your CPU & cooling.

Thanks for the help, I got it up to 4.4gHz, and it's running at 50°C.  Should I try and go for 4.5, or would that be a little too hot?

 

In case you're wondering I have a Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO.

[Jumper118]

Thanks for the help, I got it up to 4.4gHz, and it's running at 50°C.  Should I try and go for 4.5, or would that be a little too hot?

 

In case you're wondering I have a Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO.

50c is fine you can keep going until it gets to 62c. try 4.5ghz and see how it goes.

[TechFan@ic]

Thanks for the help, I got it up to 4.4gHz, and it's running at 50°C.  Should I try and go for 4.5, or would that be a little too hot?

 

In case you're wondering I have a Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO.

Test both Prime95 small FFTs and Prime95 mixed, the latter will make sure your memory is stable as well.

As the integrated memory controller can lead to instability if not enough voltage is supplied.

Keep going until you're satisfied with your overclock or you run out of thermal headroom.

[The_Crawfish]

50c is fine you can keep going until it gets to 62c. try 4.5ghz and see how it goes.

Okay, I'll try that out right now.

 

 

Test both Prime95 small FFTs and Prime95 mixed, the latter will make sure your memory is stable as well.

As the integrated memory controller can lead to instability if not enough voltage is supplied.

Keep going until you're satisfied with your overclock or you run out of thermal headroom.

I tested mixed for about half an hour without any problems.  

[Jumper118]

Okay, I'll try that out right now.

 

 

I tested mixed for about half an hour without any problems.  

if you want to make it faster only run it for 10 mins for each 100mhz you go up, then when you get to 62c then test it for longer.

[The_Crawfish]

if you want to make it faster only run it for 10 mins for each 100mhz you go up, then when you get to 62c then test it for longer.

I'm at 60°C at 4.5, so run it for a while, then switch to blend?

[Jumper118]

I'm at 60°C at 4.5, so run it for a while, then switch to blend?

yeah that sounds like the right clock to stick at now. i wouldn't go any higher if your at 60c that way you have 2c extra in case your ambient changes

[The_Crawfish]

yeah that sounds like the right clock to stick at now. i wouldn't go any higher if your at 60c that way you have 2c extra in case your ambient changes

That's what I'm going to do, until I get my new case and cooler after Christmas.

 

Thank you everyone for your help, I really appreciated it!

[Jumper118]

That's what I'm going to do, until I get my new case and cooler after Christmas.

 

Thank you everyone for your help, I really appreciated it!

what cooler are you thinking of getting?

[The_Crawfish]

I haven't really decided yet, I just thought about it as I was overclocking.  Do you have any recommendations?

[TechFan@ic]

I haven't really decided yet, I just though about it as I was overclocking.  Do you have any recommendations?

NZXT Havik 140, Noctua NH-D14, Thermalright Silver Arrow.

All good for 4.8Ghz+. Left to right in order of good to best.

[The_Crawfish]

NZXT Havik 140, Noctua NH-D14, Thermalright Silver Arrow.

All good for 4.8Ghz+. Left to right in order of good to best.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

 

Would a water cooler be a good idea, or is that over kill?  Just want to check so I don't waste money on something that I don't need.

[TechFan@ic]

Thanks, I'll check them out.

 

Would a water cooler be a good idea, or is that over kill?  Just want to check so I don't waste money on something that I don't need.

The NZXT Havik 140 and Noctua NH-D14 are as efficient as a Corsair H80i but quite cheaper and in the Noctua's case quieter as well.

The Thermalright Silverarrow is on par with a Corsair H100i .

[The_Crawfish]

The NZXT Havik 140 and Noctua NH-D14 are as efficient as a Corsair H80i but quite cheaper and in the Noctua's case quieter as well.

The Thermalright Silverarrow is on par with a Corsair H100i .

That's pretty interesting.  If I was going for the quietest that I can get, which would be better then?

[TechFan@ic]

That's pretty interesting.  If I was going for the quietest that I can get, which would be better then?

The Noctua is the quietest.

[The_Crawfish]

So would it be better to get a beefy air cooler than lets say a h80i? Even if I put on some quieter fans?