PC Processors

[plaidygami]

Do I have to wipe Windows?

I've heard that if you go from a non-X3D to an X3D CPU, you'll have to wipe Windows because of the chipset drivers. Is this true?  If so, what is the best process to go about this in order to keep my data (e.g. games and whatnot)?

[elstaci · Accepted solution]

If all you are doing is upgrading the processor and nothing else you shouldn't need to do a fresh install of Windows.

IF you are upgrading both the Motherboard and Processor then you might need to do a fresh install of Windows since Windows will need to install the correct Chipset drivers for your new motherboard.

You would need to make sure you have the correct BIOS Version installed so that the motherboard will recognize your new processor otherwise it won't boot up.

If you have the correct BIOS version than when you install the new processor I would do a CLEAR CMOS so that the BIOS will recognize the new processor from the old processor.

Also when you upgrade to a new processor you will need to check if your present RAM Memory is still compatible or not by looking at the Motherboard's QVL List for your processor.

If you should be having issues with Windows after upgrading the processor, I would first do a In-Place Windows Repair which is running the current Windows Installation while on the Desktop. This will replace your current Windows Folder with a new Windows Folder and leave all your 3rd party apps installed and most of your Configurations.

Afterward you can always revert back to the original Windows you had within , I believe, 10 days as long as you don't delete Windows.old folder from your Windows drive.

[plaidygami]

Thank you so much for the detailed response, I appreciate it!

I'm pretty sure my current RAM is compatible. I'm not changing motherboards, only the CPU. So I guess I should be good. I'll just clear the CMOS then and give it a go.

[elstaci]

Some past Users including Moderator's comments does mention to do a Clean Windows Installation when upgrading the processor just to avoid possible future Windows issues.

But I have read from many sources (googling) that you don't need to do that unless you start having issue after upgrading the processor.

I have never done a clean windows installation whenever I upgraded hardware in my PC including the processor and had no issues afterwards. But that was me.

I would first install the new processor and do a CLEAR CMOS and see if it boots into Windows without issues. If it does then you are good to go. Plus you can also configure some Windows Processor settings if need be.

[plaidygami]

Thanks for the response! Yeah I think that's what I'll do - clear CMOS and see if it boots. If all's good, then nothing else needs to be done, though I'll continue to monitor it and run some benchmarks.

[elstaci]

If possible report back if you have any issues or everything is working normally with the new processor.

Good luck and take care.

[plaidygami]

So far so good, but I've noticed something - in BIOS, CPU Boost is greyed out. And in the AMD Radeon Software, I can't tune my CPU, only my GPU. Do I need to reinstall any drivers?

EDIT: Just ran 3D Mark Speedway and my score was actually a bit lower than with my 5600X. I don't think my new 5800X3D is working properly...

Also, I'm on latest BIOS update for my mobo: 7C91vAD

EDIT 2: Ran 3D Mark Firestrike DX12 and I definitely had a higher score. So maybe Speedway just didn't have a CPU-intensive test.

I did notice something else though - my 5800X3D won't boost higher than 4.2 GHz. Checking with Task Manager and Adrenaline Software. Maybe it's incorrect?

[elstaci]

I don't know enough about the 5000 3D Series processor to really answer your questions especially concerning Radeon Software.

Maybe @goodplay  or  @johnnyenglish can help you answer those question or someone else.

It is possible there are some new BIOS Settings that concerns strictly the 3d Processors that you will need to enable or disable. just guessing though.

[plaidygami]

Made a mistake - I was using Time Spy, not Firestrike.

And yeah, I think maybe I need to enable or disable something in BIOS potentially to get it to boost higher. Gonna try using HW Info and monitor it most closely. Will update this post.

EDIT: Huh, okay. So both AMD Adrenalin and Windows Task Manager were wrong, I guess?

[johnnyenglish]

Try using HWiNFO64 to check the MAX CPU frequency. Use several stress tests and games.
Do an undervolt or curve optimizer.
Also remember, boosting only occurs when headroom is available.

Check if PBO is set on AUTO or Enabled in bios. MSI CPU Boost is another thing.

MAKE SURE You have the latest chipset drivers.

Regarding Windows, its not really necessary to reinstall it but if you have problems then its a no brainer as well as a fresh new start.

There are options to reset if you will, while keeping your files.

Good Luck

[plaidygami]

Yeah, I used HWI64 and it seems to show it boosting to a max of 4.45 GHz if I'm reading it correctly? First time using HWI64. Posted a screenshot in my other comment. Ran a few rounds of Time Spy in 3D Mark DX12.

I've got the latest chipset drivers and BIOS, thankfully. As for PBO, I've got it set to Enabled currently.

EDIT: I'll try tomorrow to set it to ADVANCED and look into using Curve Optimizer. Also gotta try to understand what the values in HWI64 mean.

[atmosphere]

You can install ryzen master to check what settings are used. But check task manager and see if all cores are loaded while running a 7zip or cpuid benchmark. Check clocks during the run and see if it boosts above base. Also in task manager see if you see a mention "dual-channel" 

But ... maybe just check bios, check mem-clocks.. 3600 speed is recommended (2 sticks) and while 4.2GHZ is not 4,5 (all) or 4,7Ghz (singlecore), its not that bad either. 

Temps (cooler or mount) could be a reason for higher temps. Also brand, bios&agesa version could at play. 

[plaidygami]

Well, I checked HWI64 during a 3D Mark Time Spy test, and during the CPU Test, it seems to boost higher, IF I'm reading it correctly. I don't know if I am (you can see it in another comment in this thread).

My RAM is set to 3600 MHz, so I've got that down at least. I think that Task Manager and Adrenalin just weren't accurate at reporting. But I can try playing around with Curve Optimizer, too.

[atmosphere]

I though the clean setup is when going from a 2 CCD chip to a 1 CCD chip (Eg. 5900x to 5800x3d)

@plaidygami Btw .. your chip hits just 70W max?? You could check if you enabled ECO mode. This would target a lower TDP of around 65W .. thought with PBO and possibly MCE this would go up slighty

[plaidygami]

Uh oh... How do I disable ECO Mode? I remember just going into BIOS and changing PBO from Auto to Enabled. I know people usually set it to Advanced and mess with all the values. I don't recall seeing an ECO Mode option. I'm using an MSI B550 Tomahawk mobo.

[atmosphere]

Let me check.. brb

Edit Settings/Advanced/AMD Overclocking/Eco Mode

site was in German so have to reread cause some could not enable it.. dont know why yet

Edit2: 

From computerbase

 

[plaidygami]

So here's what I've got...

Under AMD's PBO, I only saw Auto, Disable, Enabled, and Advanced. I thought I had already set it to Enabled, but it was on Auto, so I selected Enabled.

Under MSI's PBO, it's currently all set to Auto. Not sure if I should enabled it, because when I do, more settings pop up, and I still don't know how to use those advanced settings.

Under Overclocking, I have XMP on and RAM set to 3600, and everything else set to Auto or Enabled (default values).

EDIT: Looks like it's hitting a max of 88.469 W (CPU PPT) in HWI64.

[atmosphere]

Thats about 18W more than previously.. how are clocks/scores? .  Might just be that MSI went full fail-safe with x3d parts (with regards to bios tweaks) .. 

[plaidygami]

So I ran 3DMark and got this score: https://www.3dmark.com/spy/39514011

Also had HWI64 running, and looks like I hit almost 100W this time, and my clocks seem to be high too. So yay, I guess all's good now?

EDIT: My score is technically a little below average, but I'm using a Scythe Mugen 5 Rev. B. I feel most people use either Noctua NH-D15 or liquid cooling for their 5800X3D.

[plaidygami]

@atmosphere @johnnyenglish 

So with PBO set to enabled (haven't messed with Curve Optimizer yet, need to read more on it), XMP is on (RAM set to 3600), I ran Civ 6 for a couple of hours, and here are the results on HWI64. I think this is good?

Doesn't seem to be thermally throttling, and the clocks seem to be boosting well, if I'm reading this correctly. Interesting that the wattage is at 70-78W (I guess it's not gonna use the full 105W unless it runs cooler).

I guess all is well, then. Haha. Thanks y'all for all the help, I really appreciate it.