Need help overclocking FX-8120 past 4.2Ghz

[Blobby]

Hello, I have just joined the forums so I hope I am posting in the correct place

I have recently done a new PC build with the following main components:

- Zalman Z9
- ASUS M5A97 Pro
- FX-8120 (Zambezi)
- Alpenföhn Triglav Heatsink + Push/Pull 120mm Fans using AS5
- 2x4Gb Patriot Viper 1600mhz
- 2Gb Sapphire HD 6950 OC
- Samsung 830 128Gb SSD
- 500Gb + 250Gb Seagate Sata 7200rpm
- 6 Case fans + 2 on the Heatsink (8 in total)
- 650w OCZ ZS series

I can overclock it to 4Ghz / 4.2Ghz Prime stable but to get any higher the PC just powers off on its own.

To reach 4Ghz / 4.2Ghz I made the following changes in the BIOS:

- Increased the multiplier to 21.0
- Set FSB at 200
- Set CPU LLC at Ultra High
- CPU & NB Voltage Manual Mode / vCore set at 1.387500v in BIOS
- Everything else left on Auto
- Disabled Turbo Boost
- Disabled Cool `n Quiet
- Disabled C1E
- Disabled Core C6 State
- Disabled HPC Mode
- Manually set my DRAM timings (9-8-9-24-1T)
- DRAM 1.65v

Temps idle at around 35c and under stress hit around 50c-55c (Arctic Silver 5 Thermal paste is still setting in so the temps do fluctuate a bit, I am using HWMonitor for temps as CoreTemp doesn't seem to work)

My target is 4.4Ghz / 4.6Ghz, so what I am trying to do is go up 100mhz a time by bumping the multiplier up 0.5, I've also upped the vCore in Bios to 1.42v (I was going to increase this to reach 4.5Ghz and then slowly try and bring it down).

The problem I have is if I set my vCore any higher than 1.387500v in the BIOS and increase the multiplier or FSB then the PC is unstable and a couple of times just powered itself off (either at Windows welcome screen or very shortly after). Is my PSU running at maximum or do I need to increase the vCore even more?

To be honest I am not 100% sure what settings I need to change for the perfect overclock, I am not used to so many different settings I have a feeling I could change many of the other settings to increase the stability but I am not sure which ones or where to begin.

Has anyone else got a similar setup (or even if you don't) with a FX-8120 and M5A97 that could help me out with settings and configurations etc? I understand not all chips and overclocks are the same etc but if I had a good guide to follow I am sure it would help get my target

Thanks all

[Mr.Scott]

Random shutdown is a power issue. Your PSU is an entry level grade unit of questionable quality and only 40 amps max available on the +12v rail. You'll need more than that for your overclock and that high end vid card.

[jmilch]

Mr. Scott on the dot! Weak PSU is the issue

[Blobby]

Just as I thought

I wasn't sure if it was either that or just a bad overclock. Thanks for confirming this looks like I need to get a better PSU and probably a modular one while I am it.

[Mr.Scott]

Originally Posted by jmilch

Mr. Scott on the dot! Weak PSU is the issue

Ghost of jmilch.
You need to come around a little more frequently man. Good to see you.

[Momong]

Good day everyone. Im a newbie here and forgive my ignorance at all pls teach me how to utilize and at least know and learn the basics of overclocking. I am very eager to learn. Thank you so much in advance. God bless us all. Here's my specs:

Asrock 990fx extreme 4
Amd 8120fx
Corsair h60
Asus gtx560 ti sli
16gb g.skill sniper 1600
120gb corsair force gt ssd
Seasonic 1050w gold psu