Installing new FX 8320 CPU

[Pantz]

Hello everyone, i have just picked up a FX 8320 and a Zalman cp 10 Extreme CPU Cooler, i plan on taking out my current CPU phenom 965 BE out of my mail current machine, and put it in my Backup machine,

i Have a Sabertooth R2 motherboard, should i do the BIOS update while i have the Machine up and running now ? or do it after the installation of the new CPU ?

once i install the new CPU on my main machine, i plan to do a new install of Windows 7, over my existing OS ( Genuine windows 7 pro ), i believe that when i install the OS it will Create a (.old Windows 7 Folder ? )

and is / are there any pitfall i should look out for when installing the new CPU ?


Thanks in Advance

 

[Mellon Head]

If you have to do a BIOS upgrade to get the new CPU to work, then it's best to do it with the old chip. If you don't absolutely *need* to do a BIOS update, then don't do one. You can easily brick a motherboard with a bad BIOS update.

The best advice that I can give you on replacing your CPU is to be careful when putting the new CPU into the socket, and don't bend any pins. A good thermal compound like Arctic Silver 5 would probably be better than the paste that your cooler comes with.

Finally, for best results, you should do a clean install of Windows. See the tutorial here:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[Pantz]

hello thanks for the reply, OK clean install it is . I have purchased a new aftermarket CPU Cooler,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G6CNLD4/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1

it comes with thermal compound,, I also have some AS5 , and some MX 4... should i use one of those or the one that came with the cooler ?

Thanks in advance

 

[Mellon Head]

I have to admit a little bias, I prefer AS5. If it were me, I'd clean the stock stuff off of the cooler and use AS5. In my experience, and from hearing it from others, most of the thermal pastes that come with coolers tend to be substandard. That's not to say that everyone of them has bad paste, that's certainly not true. I just haven't found one that gives me the results that AS5 does.

 

[Pantz]

Hello every one
well i got my 8320 yesterday and i am very happy, althought it did not come in the RED CAN, i am a little disaponted LOL.


I am still waiting on the new CPU heat sink, but i do have a question.
Should i update the BIOS before installing the NEW FX 8320, or should i update the BIOS after the install ?


i belive i should do it on the old CPU ?

 

[Pantz]

hello again, looks like i will have to do at least 4 BIOS updates ?

 

[Mellon Head]

You only have to do the most recent BIOS update, and you should do it with the old CPU in place. If you put the new one in it may not be supported by the old BIOS and the machine may not boot. Save yourself the hassle and flash the BIOS with the old Phenom 965.

 

[Pantz]

hello again I am trying to update my BIOS for the new CPU, i have a FAT 32 Flash drive and i have renamed the CAP file with the rename utility, and copied the renamed file to the Flash drive
i then rebooted into the BIOS and tried to do the update, and it would not let me update the BIOS, it gave me a security error
thanks in advance

 

[Pantz]

Hello again dis regauard last post
Sucessfull BIOS UPDATE.

 

[Mellon Head]

Good. Now you can install that new CPU and you're good to go.

 

[Solarstarshines]

The Sabertooth doesn't need a Bios update you can do one but that board was made for that chip

I h ave the same board you should have 17XX Bios or 1805 either way it doesn't need to change just put the chip in and call it a day if you still want to update do it with the FX8320 installed


I had my Sabertooth for 2 years now only did the Bios once after i had the FX8350 for 6 months

 

[Pantz]

Hello again well i did the BIOS update to 2104, and i am ready to install my New CPU once i pick it up tomorrow. once i have installed the new CPU, do i still have to install the motherboard drivers again, or will everything just boot up as before, ? hopefully without any errors.

Thanks in advance

 

[Solarstarshines]

Hello again well i did the BIOS update to 2104, and i am ready to install my New CPU once i pick it up tomorrow. once i have installed the new CPU, do i still have to install the motherboard drivers again, or will everything just boot up as before, ? hopefully without any errors.

Thanks in advance

All you need to do is drop the chip in

Any previous settings will give you a boot error saying bad Overclock but if you are on Default settings you are good to go

Just remember have everything Default settings so when you boot with the new chip it won't give a error message to prompt you to click default settings in Bios i hope you understand what i mean

 

[Pantz]

Hello again. i think i know what you mean just set everything to optimal /default settings in the bios before installing the CPU ?

Thanks

 

[Solarstarshines]

Hello again. i think i know what you mean just set everything to optimal /default settings in the bios before installing the CPU ?

Thanks

Yes Sir you got it

 

[Pantz]

Hello again, well i got my new CPU HS Zalman 10 X EXTREME. and man is it huge,it should fit in my case, Also i may have lucked out, i don't have to dismantle my machine to install a Back plate,

so i will attempt the install of the new CPU and FAN, and do a clean install of W7


Thanks

 

[Pantz]

Hello again, Well that was a tight fit, have successfully installed my new FX 8320 and Zalman 10 x CPU Heat sinks, and i am shocked to see that my TEMPS are so LOW.

min temp on new CPU is 20C , the max after 2 reboots is 36C the max temp on the new CPU is where my Min was on the old CPU, maybe the thermal was not working as well as it should ?

I have not put it under a load yet, i would like to fine tune it a little more before i put it under a load.

I have not made any changes as yet, this is all at default setting, but i have a few questions,

1, what is the header CPU_OPT used for,

2 the CPU is running at 3711 MHZ, i thought the default was 3400 MHZ ?

3 the CPU heat sink has PMW control for the fan, which fan header should it be plugged in to have speed control for the fan ?

any suggestions are more than welcomed
Thank in Advance

 

[Mellon Head]

The core temp reads artificially low with Vishera processors. It's not a true temperature reading, but a calculated value. Mine consistently reads 20 degrees lower than the socket temperature, except under high load. AMD says that's when it's actually accurate. It's a rather stupid system. To get an actual idea of what your temp is, look at your socket temperature and add between 2 to 5 degrees for your core temp. It's only an approximation, but that's as close as I can get my FX 8350.

The Speedfan Temp1 reading is your socket temp, and it's a more accurate reflection of what your temp really is. Coretemp will read the core temperature only, but as I said, it's not exactly accurate.

#2. The processor is probably running in "Turbo" mode. It will go up and down between stock and Turbo. It's nothing to worry about. If you are worried about it, make sure that your CPU parameters are at default or Auto in your BIOS. Visheras automatically OC a little bit.

#3. You should always plug your CPU fan into the header marked CPU fan.

 

[Pantz]

hello again, well after installing the new CPU and Cooler, and reinstalling a clean install of windows 7 ,and at default bios settings, and one hour of game play, i am liking my new system very much,

right out of the box the CPU is running at 3.7MHZ, everything is at optimal / default setting,

looks like i can go to 4MHZ with very little effort ? i would like to do minimum OC ?

what is the actual cpu core temp, ?
what is the actual CPU temp ?
what is the actual CPU socket temp ?
what is the temp limit of the CPU ?

Thanks to everyone that helped.