FX-8120 Gigabyte GA990FXA-UD3 rev.1.2 [OC help needed]

[Thumper']

Hey mates,

I have the following hardware:

• Gigabyte GA990FXA UD3 rev.1.2 (latest beta bios)
• AMD FX-8120
• Arctic Freezer xtreme Rev 2.0
• AMD HD7970
• 16 GB G.Skill RipJawsZ C3-14900U CL9-10-9-28 1866MHz
• be quiet! PURE POWER CM BQT L8-CM-730W
• Lian Li PC 7FN
• Win 8.1

My first attempt if OC was via the AMD Overdrive in Cataclyst, but thats not the best as i heard so i switched back to stock values.
The second attempt was via BIOS. I bumped the Multiplier to 20 (4GHz) and tried a Stresstest in Prime95. That runned nice for ~20 min, so i decided to start Furmark aswell to check the max. heat generation. But ~20 seconds after the start of Furmark my screen turned black and the pc went off. Pushing the restart button wont boot it up, until i unplugged/plugged the AC-plug. It that normal?


So now i need help how to get the best out of my system for 24/7 use.

Which further information do you need ?


The best helper will get a beer. Paypal only.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

The issue with the black screen was pulling too much on the 12V rail of the PSU and hitting OCP.
Or the computer shutting off to protect from overheating.

Also, let's see the CPU, Memory, and SPD tabs of CPUz.

 

[RGone]

This guide even uses a Giga Mobo.


Bulldozer OC Guide!
Everything you need to overclock bulldozer properly.

 

[Thumper']

Do you want screenshots when the system is in idle or under max. load ?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Do you want screenshots when the system is in idle or under max. load ?

Idle for now.

 

[Thumper']

Idle for now.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

First let's get your RAM set correctly. Write down the settings in the third column of the SPD tab (the one with Command Rate 2T) and set those in your BIOS.

 

[Thumper']

And afterwards?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Afterward run Prime95 Blend for 15 minutes with HWMonitor open.
Post a screenshot of those two programs.

 

[RGone]

Probably before getting too concerned about ram, find out why the cpu is only showing as a four core and not 8 core processor.
RGone...

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Probably before getting too concerned about ram, find out why the cpu is only showing as a four core and not 8 core processor.
RGone...

Good catch RGone, didn't even see that.

 

[Thumper']

Good catch RGone, didn't even see that.

Well, because I set this in bios. Shall I change it to 8 threads?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

I would change it back, yes.

 

[Thumper']

Okay, running since 15 mins with changes RAM settings in bios.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

I wouldn't try overclocking at all with your current cooler. You're almost at the limit of your thermal ceiling already.

 

[Mandrake4565]

I wouldn't try overclocking at all with your current cooler. You're almost at the limit of your thermal ceiling already.

Agreed, very little headroom.

 

[Thumper']

Ok.
So i should consider a upgrade of the cpu cooler or should i install this cooler for 3 5,25" slots?
Because my GPU blocks most of the cool air from the front vent.

 

[Mandrake4565]

In order for a Air heatsink to cool well it needs good case airflow. You can try taking the case side panel off and if the temps drop then you need more airflow through the case.

 

[Thumper']

With open case its like:

Again same time Prime95 Blend test but Multi @ x16 > 3,2GHz.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Very little difference. Seems to me that the cooler just can't keep up with an 8-core FX.