Motherboard CPU Enquiry
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: AMD Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock AMD motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5033
Printed Date: 04 Nov 2025 at 11:03am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Motherboard CPU Enquiry
Posted By: CONNORJAMES
Subject: Motherboard CPU Enquiry
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 9:23am
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Hello i currently run AMD Asrock Model - 980DE3/U3S3 R2.0 http://www.asrock.com/mb/amd/980de3u3s3%20r2.0/" rel="nofollow - MOTHEROARDLINK I am wanting to install this CPU - AMD - FX8370 CPU Pc shop said something about the wattage will not suit and the PC wont load after it has been installed... Im sorry i dont no enough about hardware side of things , can anyone confirm this??. I did do a bios update but still not sure if i can run this CPU after doing this. Thanks for your time. |
Replies:
Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 10:57am
The shop is referring to the reality that not all AMD AM3+ mother boards are able to easily provide the required power to some of the AM3+ FX series processors, particularly if they are used under high load conditions for long periods of time, are over clocked, or both. The cooling configuration of the PC (number of case fans, CPU cooler model) is also a factor. The AM3+ processor spec that is used to determine whether or not the processor is within the board's CPU power capability, is called the Thermal Design Power (TDP). TDP is really not a measure of power usage by the processor, but how much cooling capacity the CPU cooler must provide to adequately cool the CPU. But in general, the higher the TDP rating of the processor is, the more power it will use. The mother board circuitry that provides power to the CPU must have more components of high quality, and have a heat sink on the transistors providing that power. This was not understood very well at when the FX processor series was released, and evolved over time. Low priced AM3+ boards simply are not built to the standard needed for the 140W+ TDP processors like the FX 9370 and FX 9590. The CPU power circuitry would over heat and fail, destroying the board. Even the FX 8350 or FX 8370 with a TDP of 125W, when over clocked or used under high loads can cause that to happen on many lower priced AM3+ boards. After the failure of the boards began happening, BIOS updates were created that would not allow the use of FX processors with a TDP of 140W or greater in the affected boards. The BIOS will detect the "unsupported processor" from a power usage standpoint, and stop the PC from running the OS. That is specifically what the shop is referring to. Sorry to say, but your board is an example of a low priced AM3+ board that is unable to provide the required power long term to FX processors whose TDP is greater than 140W. Even 125W TDP processors like the FX 8370 are questionable in your board, although the CPU Support List includes the FX 8370: http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/980DE3U3S3%20R2.0/?cat=CPU Notice that CPUs like the FX 8370 in the list have a warning that extra cooling of the mother board is necessary when they are used. BIOS version 1.30 and newer have the warning about unsupported processors and will not boot with one is installed in the board. The BIOS update does NOT allow more FX processors to be used, it restricts the models that can be used. The FX 8370 is included in the CPU support list, so you should be able to use it. The shop knows about the limitation of some processors in boards like yours, but did not know the FX 8370 is in the CPU Support List. For long term use, you'd be better off with the FX 8370E model, which is a 95W TDP processor. Regardless, you should have extra cooling for the mother board area around the CPU to keep the CPU power circuitry cool. I do not recommend over clocking at all on a board like yours. ------------- http://valid.x86.fr/48rujh" rel="nofollow"> 
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CONNORJAMES wrote:Posted By: CONNORJAMES
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 1:57pm
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" rel="nofollow - Thanks for the reply , you mentioned that asrock has the FX- 8370 in the list?. I was unable to locate it in there. If it is there this should mean its ok to use?. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 2:44pm
 All these are FX 8k CPUs supported by your board. I have marked in red all the ones you should avoid. While they will work, they will run very hot and possibly damage your system over time. The 2 marked in green are the fastest "safe" CPUs on the list. Note: all the ones I have not marked in red are 95w. Any of the models not marked red should work fine. Under the model tab we see the CPU's model designations. FD8310WMW8KHK for example = FX 8310 and FD837EWMW8KHK = FX 8370E. ------------- 
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Posted By: CONNORJAMES
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 2:55pm
| The PC store has said this is the exact model - FD8370FRHKHBX and they supply a wraith cooler. http://techreport.com/review/29691/amd-wraith-cpu-cooler-reviewed" rel="nofollow - http://techreport.com/review/29691/amd-wraith-cpu-cooler-reviewed . Will this be more safer. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 3:36pm
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It will work but that is a 125w CPU so not ideal. As you can see on your board there are not even any heatsinks around your CPU socket (VRM heatsinks). The wraith cooler will help with temps being a top down blowing cooler. Don't get us wrong, these CPUs will all work, the 125w variants will just shorten the lifespan of your board. A 95w version would be better. I am not sure if the 95w versions come with the wraith cooler. We are very cautious on the forums here regarding FX 8 series CPUs and budget boards. I have seen at least one case of a board actually catching fire due to improper cooling. If cooling is taken care of properly these issues won't crop up but trying to explain what constitutes proper cooling is tricky and different from one case to the next. I strongly recommend you avoid 125w CPUs on that board. In all honestly I would look for a 65w FX 6k CPU on that board. If you are determined to get the fastest CPU that board can handle however then look for a 95w FX 8k. The one you mentioned is not a good choice for your board. -------------
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Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 4:07pm
Trust your PC Shop. And us. The 8370 is too much processor for your board. I know. i know. ASRock states it will, but it won't. Frequent this same PC shop when you upgrade. It's rare nowadays to find honest folks. They are. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 4:28pm
Agreed, that store has your back  -------------
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Posted By: datonyb
Date Posted: 04 May 2017 at 1:51am
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" rel="nofollow - the guys are right i run a phenom 965 in another system its 125w it IS in the cpu support list it DOES boot and work but due to my board being a mid tier board (from a well know brand ) who had a habit of NOT fitting heatsinks to the power phases (vrm's) of this board it would get so hot you really could not touch them without burning your finger , and this wasnt even under a heavy load like games or workload the chances of it lasting very long in my opinion were very slim to say the least i have retro fitted heatsinks to the vrm myself (something i also wouldnt suggest to novice users) because you then run the danger of causing a short circuit when fitting them the point im making is for the extra REAL WORLD difference i doubt you would notice if at all one of the 125w cpu's over a higher end 95w so why stress out the board ? the point xalter made about the heatsink/fan is also very important most upgraded/ recommended aftermarket coolers also can make the issue worse by not actually blowing air over these sub-standard power phases (sub standard as in trying to get a higher end cpu working ) the thoery being these get fitted to higher end boards with ample heatsinks and good case fan design and air flow in small cases and cheaper boards the downdraught of the air moving over this area of componants is actually vital ------------- [url=https://valid.x86.fr/jpg250]  [/url]3800X, powercolor reddevil vega64, gskill tridentz3866, taichix370, evga750watt gold |