Overclocking a FX-8320E on a GA-970A-DS3P motherboard

[RedTeam]

Hi,

I heard and read that the motherboard is not good at all for overclocking, which I'm a novice at and never done before. I would like to know if I can still do a little bit overclocking anyway, mostly for gaming improvement. Here are my PC specs:

CPU = FX 8320e (on stock cooler)
MB = Gigabyte 970a ds3p (rev.2.0) (Bios version=FC Date=06/01/2015)
RAM = Kingston 16GB DDR3 1866mhz (dual channel) (part number=KHX1866C10D3/8G)
GPU = Powercolor Red Dragon RX 460 2GB
PSU = Cooler Master Elite V2 550W
FANS = 5 intake, 3 exhaust

I also have a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO that's new on the box unopened that I can use, but maybe I should just sell it if this PC won't be able to overclock that much anyway.

What do you think? if I can do it, am I going to gain some noticeable FPS on games? or, should I just forget about overclocking the CPU and sell my EVO 212?

Thanks, regards.

 

[Johan45]

You're right your board is way under powered for an 8 core FX to go all out. You might be able to get in the 4.0 range though add a fan to the VRM and the back of the motherboard and if you stand any chanc at all you'll want to use the 212 to help keep the temps down

 

[wingman99]

What is the temp limit on the FX-8320E?

 

[Mr.Scott]

What is the temp limit on the FX-8320E?

Same as the other FX's. 62c core 70c socket. 55c or less being the sweet spot.

 

[wingman99]

Will the FX-8320E throttle down if you go over 62c?

 

[Mr.Scott]

They all will.

 

[WhitehawkEQ]

With the FX-8320E being a 95W CPU, that MB may handle a small OC but not sure, as for the 212 EVO, use it any way, it's a better cooler that the stock cooler that came with the CPU.

 

[RedTeam]

Thanks everyone, first I would like to try a light OC with the stock cooler to see if I gain any increase in my FPS. I have downloaded AMD Overdrive but I don't know how to use it yet.

 

[Johan45]

Do your overclocking from the BIOS. There's a guide in my sig