Studying the nuances of overclocking AMD Vishera processors. Processors Feasibility of performing this operation

AMD FX-8350 | Meet the Piledriver-based AMD FX processor line

As computer hardware reviewers, we are not very interested in the problems faced by hardware manufacturers. Many would agree that the past year has been a terrible one for AMD's processor division, starting with the gluttonous Bulldozer CPUs, which slowly dropped in price in twelve months in response to the arrival of third-generation Intel Core processors. Our laboratory in Southern California recently received new samples. End users shouldn't be too worried about talking about management flaws, layoffs and AMD's plagued past. So let's get down to business.

Sometimes it is possible to predict the ending of the article. If AMD sent us the FX-8170, which is 200 MHz faster than its predecessor, one would assume that the processor will show the same shortcomings in low-threaded applications, probably outperform the Core i5-2500K in more intensive tasks, but compared to the 77W chips. its power consumption will be just awful.

But instead we got a processor AMD FX-8350, which, by analogy with APU Trinity, introduced less than a month ago, is based on the Piledriver architecture. Experience tells us that Piledriver can outperform Bulldozer's design by 15% in performance per core and per clock cycle. It is also worth considering that AMD FX-8350 will run at least 400 MHz faster than FX-8150... By the way, the architecture provided a noticeably smaller increase in the speed of the Intel Core line of processors. Chances are good that today's comparison will be much more interesting than full blown FX-8150 in last year's review.

Meet the Piledriver FX Family

True to its tradition since Bulldozer, AMD has sent out to the press the fastest models in the new lineup, which will include eight, six and quad cores. Although they are all based on the Piledriver architecture, the chips themselves are called Vishera, and will continue to be marketed under the FX brand.

AMD Vishera Crystal

The Vishera processor measures 315 square millimeters and consists of 1.2 billion transistors. Exactly the same performance characterizes the previous generation Zambezi based on the AMD Bulldozer architecture.

2012 AMD FX processor line
	Number of cores / threads	Base frequency, GHz	Max Turbo Frequency, GHz	Northbridge frequency, MHz	TDP, W	Price, $	OPN
FX-8350	8/8	4	4,2	2200	125	195	FD8350FRW8KHK
FX-8320	8/8	3,5	4	2200	125	169	FD8320FRW8KHK
FX-6300	6/6	3,5	4,1	2000	95	132	FD6300WMW6KHK
FX-4300	4/4	3,8	4	2000	95	122	FD4300WMW4MHK

Two of the four processors use eight processing cores, or four Piledriver modules, as AMD calls them. The base frequency of the flagship model AMD FX-8350 is 4 GHz. In low-threaded applications, Turbo Core technology can increase this figure to 4.2 GHz, although the increase in chip speed will be more related to the base frequency. How much Turbo Core accelerates AMD FX-8350? Not much. In the single-threaded iTunes benchmark, the score improved by just three seconds.

The FX-8320 lowers the base frequency to 3.5 GHz, but as part of the allocated thermal package Turbo Core increases it to 4 GHz (the 500 MHz boost is more important for the FX-8320). Both eight-core models are equipped with 8 MB of L2 cache (divided into 2 MB for each module) and 8 MB of L3 cache (common for all four modules of the chip). Recommended price for AMD FX-8350 is $ 195, and the FX-8320 is $ 169.

The FX-6300 already has three active modules (six cores), and the price is reduced to $ 132. The 3.5 GHz frequency gives the architecture an edge in multi-threaded tasks, and the Turbo Core tries to compensate for the disadvantages in single-threaded applications by increasing the frequency to 4.1 GHz. Like the four-module chips, the FX-6300 uses 2 MB of L2 cache per module (6 MB in total) and a shared L3 cache of 8 MB. Fewer active resources, as well as a lower frequency of the northbridge (2 GHz) allow the FX-6300 to be within the thermal package of 95 W, which is noticeably different from the 125 W of the older FX-83x0 processors.

TDP of the dual-module processor FX-4300 also does not exceed 95 W. The base frequency of 3.8 GHz in low-bandwidth applications rises to 4 GHz, and the northbridge operates at 2 GHz like the FX-6300. However, the L3 cache capacity has been reduced to 4MB, and the price is only $ 10 lower than the three-module chip, which will encourage many buyers to spend an extra $ 10.

The AMD architecture does not feel a particular shortage of memory bandwidth; nevertheless, the dual-channel DDR3 controller officially supports the data transfer rate of 1866 MT / s. To reduce the total cost of the platform, we will use DDR3-1600 modules with low latency, all the more, according to the test results (except for Sandra 2013 Beta), it can be seen that spending more money on faster memory will not gain speed.

The entire FX line has an unlocked multiplier, making overclocking a breeze. Does Vishera have enough overclocking potential? What about the 5.125 GHz frequency supported by a closed-loop liquid cooling system?

AMD FX-8350 | Overclocking and platform compatibility

Overclocking

Although AMD's processors have not been ranked the fastest for several years, the company is trying to keep the attention of enthusiasts by providing features that are important to them. Software that lets you change configuration settings in Windows in real time, unlocked multipliers and platforms with more PCI Express slots are just a few of the key features that AMD offers to people who know how to use them to increase the performance of their systems.

The same overclockers who were disappointed in the scalability of FX Zambezi processors with a conventional cooling system will be very surprised this time, even though we are considering a very similar architecture on the same 32nm core.

With CPU and Northbridge voltages of 1.375 V and 1.175 V, respectively, we managed to achieve stable operation AMD FX-8350 at 4.8 GHz at full load. In the screenshot above, a single-threaded test is running to "spin up" the chip, but the highlighted maximum temperature corresponds to the peak load of the entire test package.

AMD FX-8350 could work even faster, but the key factor here is the voltage setting at which the temperature does not exceed 70 degrees Celsius. At this point, the temperature sensor causes the cores to underclock (the image above proves this), preventing the chip from overheating and negatively impacting performance. Without giving multi-threaded loads, we even managed to run tests at 5.125 GHz (for this, we need to set the voltage a to 1.4375 V for the CPU and 1.2 V for the north bridge).

Obviously, in most consumer systems, the bottleneck will be cooling. AMD's reference heatsink and fan are not enough, to put it mildly, and a powerful third-party solution will increase the cost of the platform with an FX processor. But solely for our tests, we used the closed loop liquid cooling system that AMD offered with the FX processors last year. It will cost you about $ 70. If so, you can consider $ 300 as an alternative. Fortunately, we have test results.

Overclocking to 4.8 GHz is enough to AMD FX-8350 overtook in a multi-threaded environment such as 3ds Max 2012, however it did not help AMD Piledriver architecture get around in a single threaded iTunes application. Of course, if you are willing to spend an extra $ 30 on and even more on a third-party cooler, then its base frequency can be relatively easily increased from 3.5 GHz to 4.5 GHz and will be able to compete with AMD FX overclocking.

Compatibility

Translation of the official instructions from ASUS ROG.

As you know, overclocking your processor instance may differ from the results of this article. The final result can also be affected by the cooling and the motherboard (if you are using an unspecified board).
If you have additional questions, you can ask them on the official forum (English) or in the official community on the Vkontakte social network.

Well, let's get started!
Installing a processor in a socket is quite simple and you cannot use any effort, otherwise you can damage the legs, and, accordingly, kill it:
-lift the clamp
-install the processor by aligning the golden triangle with the triangle mark on the socket
-low down the clamp

Apply a thin layer of thermal paste. It is very convenient to use something like a credit card if there was no special spatula in the kit.

Install cooling. Remember that overclocking the FX-8350 requires very good cooling! We use the Corsair H80i in our tutorial, but analogs are fine. It is best to use two-piece CBOs.
Installing RAM.

A little about the power supply of the system.
As you may have noticed, ASUS ROG Crosshair V Formula-Z is equipped with an additional 4-pin processor power connector. Connecting both cables (8-pin and 4-pin) can improve overclocking stability. But if your power supply only has one 8-pin cable, then don't worry - connecting the second is not necessary at all.

Before we go directly to overclocking, download the latest BIOS for your board and unpack it to a flash drive so you can update the board via EZ Flash.

You also need to download (or take on a disk from the kit) and install the ASUS AI Suite II utility, since not all utilities can correctly monitor the temperatures of the FX-8350. We'll be using AI Suite II to monitor temperatures and voltages, CPU-z to monitor CPU frequency, and Prime95 to check system stability.

Make sure everything is working as expected.
Go to BIOS and press the F5 key to apply the optimal settings.
Save the settings with the F10 key and reboot into Windows.
Open CPU-Z and AI Suite II.
Launch Prime95 and run Small FFT test. The processor frequency should be approximately 4 GHz.
In our case, the processor temperature reached 49 degrees. The room temperature was 25 degrees.

If everything is in order, then let's go directly to overclocking!
Note again that there can be a very large difference between processors, but most should be overclocked to 4.8 GHz with good cooling. If your system is unstable, then try lowering the multiplier one step at the same voltage and check it again.
We will use the extended UEFI BIOS mode (ROG boards initially run this mode).
Follow the Extreme Tweaker tab.
Let's set the CPU Ratio parameter to 24. Thus, we should get 4.8 GHz (you can see the Target CPU Speed ​​value a little higher).

Set the memory operation mode to your preference (according to your memory specification). In our case, 1600 MHz.

In the same tab below, look for CPU & NB Voltage and set it to Manual mode.
We set the CPU Manual Voltage - 1.5 V. Do not pay attention to the red highlighting of the numbers, everything is in order.

Go up the menu a little higher and go to DIGI + Power Control.
Set CPU Load Line Calibration to Ultra High.

Now we need the Advanced tab. In it we go to the CPU Configuration menu.

The Cool ‘n’ Quiet must be set to Always Disabled and C1E to Disabled.

You can also disable (Disabled) Core C6 State.
You can save the settings profile (so as not to set everything again every time) in the Tool tab.
Now press the F10 key to save the settings and reboot.

Stress test
We will repeat everything as last time. Launch AI Suite II, CPU-z and then Prime95 in Small FFT mode.
In our case, the temperature in the load increased to 76 degrees. That's quite a lot, but still within the TJMax range.

Is the system stable? Then go back to BIOS and try to lower the voltage to 1.49 V and below. You can try changing the Load line Calibration value to High, but most likely the system will not work stably. Our copy of the processor was able to run at 4.8 GHz with a voltage of 1.49 V.

If you have additional questions, you can ask them

All measurements were made using a Mastech MY64 multimeter.

Search for software to detect instability

The software chosen to detect instability can be roughly divided into three categories:

• Programs originally targeted as stress tests of the system. This category includes LinX 0.6.4(testing was carried out in 2560 MB mode for the old Linpack version, as well as in three modes, with available memory of 1024 MB, 2560 MB and 6144 MB for the latest version of Linpack, with support for FMA instructions), OCCT 4.3.2.b01(CPU test: OCCT in Large Data Set, Medium Data Set and Small Data Set modes, as well as CPU: LINPACK test in AVX mode with 90% of available memory), Prime95 v27.7 build2(in Small FFTs, In-place Large FFTs and Blend modes), CST 0.20.01a(a combined test that includes the Matrix = 5, Matrix = 7 and Matrix = 15 modes).


• Programs that are used as tests of system performance, or that emulate one or another load that occurs in the daily work of a PC. Got here Cinebench R10(x CPU test), Cinebench R11.5(CPU test), wPrime 1.55(test 1024M), POV-Ray v3.7 RC3(All CPU's test), TOC [email protected] Bench v.0.4.8.1(Dgromacs 2 test), 3DMark 06(CPU1 + CPU2 test), 3DMark Vantage(CPU1 + CPU2 test) and 3DMark 11(this time, separately Physics Test and separately Combined Test).


• Several processor-dependent games. These included Colin mcrae dirt 2 Deus Ex: Human Revolution(Detroit), F1-2010(built-in performance test), Metro 2033(built-in performance test), Shogun 2 Total War(Battle of Okehadzam) and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim(Estate "Golden Flower").

For stability, the state of the system is taken, in which no problems arise in its operation within 10-15 minutes of the test.

CPU instability

In this subsection of the article, we will choose software that makes it easier to identify the instability of the processor, with obviously stable memory and CPU_NB frequencies. The technique is relatively simple: with a fixed value of the supply voltage, select the maximum overclocking for each of the programs and calculate the test at which the minimum frequency of stable operation will be reached. Well, in parallel with the search for stable frequencies, you can evaluate the behavior of the system during overclocking for a particular test. To avoid instability caused by overheating of the CPU, all tests were performed with the CPU supply voltage of 1.25 V.

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The processor frequency at which Windows starts is 4256 MHz.

Overclocking the FX-8350 is a fairly simple operation and allows you to significantly increase the speed of your personal computer. The procedure for its implementation will be described in stages and in detail later in the framework of this review. In addition to this, general recommendations will be given regarding the configuration of the PC and the technical parameters of the microprocessor.

The list of this CPU includes the following components:

1. Chip packed in a protective box.
2. Cooling system and thermal grease.
3. Warranty card and quick start guide.
4. CPU family logo sticker.

The first important condition for overclocking a PC is its high-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 a guaranteed 4.5-4.7 GHz. If you use liquid cooling, then you can count on conquering 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 power reserve, the minimum value of which must be 800 watts. In addition to this, the graphics accelerator should be equipped with an improved cooling system and high-quality semiconductor elements. The RAM, in turn, should be able to increase the clock speed and be equipped with heatsinks for cooling.

The motherboard must be at least ATX format. If smaller devices are used for these purposes, then problems with overheating may arise. Therefore, it is better not to overclock the FX-8350 for example. 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, it can be noted that choosing an improved motherboard is a guarantee of high-quality overclocking.

CPU specifications

Before overclocking the FX-8350 will be considered in detail and step by step in the future, we present its technical specifications. This CPU model is based on the Vishera architecture and is designed to fit into the now legacy AM3 + processor socket. Nominally, this chip includes eight blocks for processing program code. But in fact, this modification of the microprocessor includes eight integer modules and four floating point processing units. Therefore, in the first case, this CPU shows a high operating speed and is even capable of outperforming the i5 from Intel of the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th generation. And in the second, its performance is significantly reduced, and it can already compete on an equal footing with the Core i3.

The base frequency of the chip is 4 GHz. But when you enable Turbobust mode, it can increase to 4.4 GHz. That is, it is an automatic overclocking of the microprocessor. Also, this device has an unlocked multiplier. Therefore, its performance can be increased by simply increasing the value of the latter.

The chip is equipped with three cache levels. 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 core of the CPU is manufactured using 32 nm technology. This is an outdated workflow. Therefore, the chip has a high power consumption level, which corresponds to 125 W. The supply voltage range is 0.9 to 1.3 V. The CPU die area is 319 mm 2 and the transistor count is 1200 million.

The order of increasing performance

The best way to overclock the FX-8350 is with a combination of software tools 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 to be carried out.

The next step is to run these programs in parallel. Then in AIDA64 go to the "Computer" menu item and open the "Sensors" subsection. First of all, pay attention to the processor temperature. It should not exceed 80 - 85 o C.

Next, go to AMD's Overdrive utility. In this program, open the Clock / Voltage menu item. Then check the Select All Core checkbox. After that, use the slider to change the value of the multiplier. Its base value is 20. When using an air cooling system, it can be increased to 22-23. This will allow you to achieve frequency values ​​of 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 already 4.7 GHz. In the case of the air system, the setting of the multiplier at 24.5 - 25 is allowed. That is, you can count on 4900 - 5000 MHz. We save the changes by clicking the Apply softkey.

Now you need to go to the AIDA64 program. We check the readings of the sensors. If the temperature is within acceptable limits, then exit this utility.

Checking the stability of the computer

After the AMD FX-8350 processor is overclocked in full, it is necessary to check the stability of the PC. To do this, we download from the Internet such programs as PC Mark, for example, and CrystalMark. With the help of each of them, we check the stability of the computer 2-3 times. If the PC is working correctly, then we leave everything unchanged. Otherwise, you need to lower the clock frequency and re-check the computer for stability. 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 WinZip, you can get a 40% increase in work speed. But in those programs that are poorly optimized for multithreading, the performance increase will be from 5 to 7 percent. The latter group mainly includes toys.

Feasibility of performing this operation

Overclocking the FX-8350 processor, as noted earlier, allows you to increase the performance of your PC without any changes in the hardware configuration of the computer. With its help, you can get a level of computing system performance comparable to the 2nd or 3rd generation Core i5. Therefore, this operation is still relevant.

In addition, there are all the prerequisites for its implementation. The CPU has both the multiplier and the operating frequency of the system bus unlocked. This allows you to flexibly increase the speed of your PC. At the same time, a more convenient and practical way to increase performance is to increment the multiplier. But it is wrong to change the system bus frequency for the reason that the functioning of the graphics controller and RAM is tied to it. Therefore, this method of overclocking can affect the performance of the computer.

Reviewing AMD's FX 8350 processor, we looked at the Piledriver architecture and compared it with its predecessors and one of its competitors. It's time to complete our review. Today we will examine in detail the overclocking potential of AMD FX 8350 using various types of cooling, as well as test performance in 3D applications.

To evaluate the overclocking potential of the FX 8350 and further testing, an open test bench was used, with the following configuration:

• Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX (AMD 990X, AM3 +);
• Processor: AMD FX-8350
• CPU Cooling: Air, Water, Dry Ice
• Thermal interface: Arctic Cooling MX-2;
• Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 7970 reference sample;
• RAM: Kingmax Memory 2x2 GB PC3- 10700H (DDR3-1600);
• Drive: Seagate ST3250410AS 250 GB;
• Power Supply: ;
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 x64 Ultimate SP1;
• Driver version: Catalyst 12.11 Beta 8.

Overclocking.

The final frequency of the processor after overclocking, in addition to its personal frequency potential, is influenced by a number of factors, such as the type and efficiency of the chosen cooling, the voltage supplied, as well as a number of other equally important factors. Today, the main goal of experiments with the AMD FX 8350 processor is to obtain approximate overclocking results using different types of cooling. We believe that these results will be approximately valid when overclocking any other FX 8350 sample, they can be relied on as a reference point.

All frequency experiments were performed directly from the motherboard BIOS; we did not use software overclocking from Windows. Overclocking was carried out by increasing the multiplier and voltage on the CPU cores. The CPU / NB and HT Link Speed ​​were fixed at 2400 MHz and 2600 MHz, respectively. The value of the CPU Vcore Load Line Calibration parameter was set to High; in this mode, the voltage in the load was as close as possible to the set one. The processor's power supply system was constantly cooled by one 120 mm cooler. The stability of the processor was determined using the LinX 0.6.4 program, and finally the processor temperature was controlled by the ASUS Thermal Radar utility.