970 Performance FX-9000 & RAM incompatibility

 

Do you mean the FX-9370 is not a "220W processor" because you have managed a successful undervolt? Actually its TDP is 220W, which means it does not necessarily need 220W, but peaks there eventually. I bet it uses even more than 220W if used on a 970 Performance at BIOS defaults, because voltage is so high (1.535V), like overclocked.

 

Apart from this, AM3+ FX CPUs are known for rather ineffectual undervolting results and high overall power consumption. Congratulations you've managed and hopefully it lasts!

 

To keep within TDP, AMD uses its LLC (Load Line Calibration) technology to lower voltage the more load it gets. That is why it is possible to keep it within TDP specs and/or 60° C.

This should be the voltage drop you have experienced. So no Offset should be needed. Was it unstable that way? It definetly shouldn't be. Btw. this board lead me more than once to wrong conclusions.

Another AMD thing is APM (AMD Power Management). You will notice that at full load (like Prime95) the clock rates begin to fluctuate between say 4400 and 3500 MHz. This allows for even lower voltages at full load, while maintaining a certain performance level.

 

If LLC and APM is active, there should be no need of extra cooling components like VRM - other boards prove that. It's an imposition anyway if users have to experiment with undervolting to get it right. What about users that are not capable as you are? A decent case like Fratal Design should be fine without extra VRM cooling to manage FX-9000 chips - mine do. But the real issue here is, as you have discoverd too, wrong default BIOS settings that lead to improper voltages used by the CPU! I don't remember seeing LLC in there... is Offset ASrock's interpretation of LLC? It should be there and it should be set to Regular, not Medium, High, Extreme or Auto to keep everything cool!

 

However, I still can't see the difference between your and my understanding of Offset Voltage. The drop is desired by AMD at full load and if not implemented right, you get a too hot CPU and way too hot VRM.

 

 

This Crucial kit is rated for 1.5V at 1866 MHz (while the AMD kit needs 1.65V for 2133/2400 MHz) and runs at that setting on the other mainboard.

 

Your words, parsec, about the memory controller's voltage gives me the idea of a possibly wrong voltage setting for the CPU-NB! If it hasn't enough juice it would react like this. I'm going to check this out soon!

 

Thanks for your input!