Overclocking the FX-8350 is a fairly simple operation and can significantly increase the speed of a personal computer. The procedure for its implementation will be phased and detailed in the future as part of this review. In addition to this, general recommendations regarding the configuration of the PC will be given and the technical parameters of the microprocessor will be given.
Delivery list. PC package recommendations
The list of this CPU includes the following components:
- Chip packed in a protective box.
- Cooling system and thermal grease.
- Warranty card and quick start guide.
- A sticker with the logo of the CPU family.
The first important condition for overclocking a PC is its quality equipment. Therefore, it is better not to overclock the CPU with a standard heat sink system. With an advanced air cooler, this chip model is capable of delivering guaranteed 4.5-4.7 GHz. If you use liquid cooling, you can count on the conquest of the bar at 5.0-5.2 GHz. That is, a twenty percent increase in the speed of work. Also, the power supply must have a solid supply of power, the minimum value of which should be 800 watts. In addition to this, the graphics accelerator should be equipped with an improved cooling system and high-quality semiconductor elements. RAM, in turn, should allow you to increase the clock frequency and be equipped with radiators for cooling.
The motherboard must be at least ATX format. If smaller devices are used for these purposes, problems with overheating may occur. Therefore, overclocking the FX-8350 on the ASUS M5A78L, for example, is better not to carry out. Experience shows that the computer overheats in this case and may even break. This board is in MicroATX format and is designed to create ultra-compact PCs. But overclocking the FX-8350 on the Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P can and should be done. She has everything she needs for this. As a result, we can note that the choice of an improved motherboard is the key to quality overclocking.
CPU Specifications
Before overclocking the FX-8350 will be further detailed and phased, we will present its technical specifications. This CPU model is based on the architecture codenamed Vishera and is designed to be installed in the now obsolete AM3 + processor socket. Nominally, this chip includes eight blocks of code processing. But in fact, this modification of the microprocessor includes eight integer modules and four blocks for processing floating point numbers. Therefore, in the first case, this CPU shows a high speed and is even able to bypass the i5 from Intel of the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th generation in speed. And in the second, its performance is significantly reduced, and it can compete on equal terms with Core i3.
The base frequency of the chip is 4 GHz. But when Turbobust mode is turned on, it can increase to 4.4 GHz. That is, it is an automatic overclock of the microprocessor. This unit also has an unlocked multiplier. Therefore, you can increase its performance by simply increasing the value of the latter.
The chip is equipped with three levels of cache. The first of them allows you to place 384 KB of data and program code, and the second and third - 8 MB each.
The semiconductor base of the CPU is made using 32 nm technology. This is an outdated manufacturing process. Therefore, the chip has a high level of power consumption, which corresponds to 125 watts. The supply voltage range is 0.9 - 1.3 V. The area of the CPU crystal is 319 mm 2 , and the number of transistors is 1200 million.
The order of increasing speed
It is best to overclock the FX-8350 using a combination of software such as AMD Overdrive and AIDA64. This software is freely available on the Internet. It must first be downloaded and installed on the computer on which this operation is planned.
The next stage is the parallel launch of these programs. Then in AIDA64 go to the menu item "Computer" and open the subsection "Sensors". First of all, pay attention to the temperature of the processor. It should not exceed 80 - 85 about C.
Next, go to the Overdrive utility from AMD. In this program, open the Clock / Voltage menu item. Then set the Select All Core checkbox. After that, use the slider to change the value of the multiplier-factor. Its basic value is 20. When using an air cooling system, it can be increased to 22-23. This will allow you to achieve frequency values in the 4400 - 4600 MHz. If the computing system is stable, then in some cases it is possible to set 23.5. This will allow you to get 4.7 GHz. In the case of the air system, the multiplier can be set at 24.5 - 25. That is, you can count on 4900 - 5000 MHz. Save the changes by pressing the Apply softkey.
Now you need to switch to the AIDA64 program. Check the readings of the sensors. If the temperature is within acceptable limits, then exit this utility.
Checking the stability of the computer
After overclocking the AMD FX-8350 processor is complete, you need to check the stability of the PC. To do this, download programs such as PC Mark, for example, and CrystalMark from the Internet. Using each of them, we check 2-3 times the stability of the computer. If the PC is working correctly, then leave everything unchanged. Otherwise, you need to lower the clock frequency and re-check the computer for stable operation. You also need to periodically monitor the temperature of the chip.
Performance gain
The increase in the clock frequency of this chip is in the range of 15 to 20 percent. But an even more important factor that affects the increase in performance is software optimization. For example, if you run a test on archiving in WinRAR or in WinZip, you can get a 40 percent increase in speed. But in those programs that are poorly optimized for multithreaded mode, the increase in productivity will be from 5 to 7 percent. The last group consists mainly of toys.
Feasibility of performing this operation
Overclocking the FX-8350 processor, as previously noted, allows you to increase PC performance without any changes in the hardware configuration of the computer. With its help, you can get the level of performance of a computer system comparable to Core i5 of the 2nd or 3rd generation. Therefore, this operation is still relevant.
In addition, there are all prerequisites for its implementation. The CPU unlocks both the multiplier and the operating frequency of the system bus. This allows you to flexibly increase the speed of your PC. Moreover, a more convenient and practical way to increase performance is to increment the multiplier. But the frequency of the system bus is wrong to change for the reason that the operation of the graphics controller and RAM is tied to it. Therefore, this method of acceleration can affect the performance of the computer.
Reviews
Whatever the case, overclocking AMD FX-8350 can significantly improve the performance of a personal computer. Initially, the hero of this review in terms of speed is at best competing with I3 microprocessors. But after increasing the clock frequency, this chip can compete with I5 or even I7 without any problems. The only drawback of the hero of this short review is the excessive energy consumption. This microprocessor model has a declared heat package of 125 watts. But after overclocking, this chip can exceed this value.
Therefore, in combination with such a CPU, a high-quality cooling system is needed. In addition to this, you need a motherboard and a set of RAM modules. It is the use of such components that allows us to overclock this microprocessor model. And on this in the reviews, the owners of such a CPU focus attention.
Conclusion
This review shows the overclocking procedure of the FX-8350 and its specifications. Also given recommendations when selecting components for such a computer. Although this platform is outdated, it is still suitable for creating productive computers. At the same time, the cost of the final system is very, very democratic.