AMD phenom x2 550 - Easy problem, I wish.

[powerfuel]

Hi,
I am looking for this CPU (which seem to be the best option for me) and I found some articles talking about hidden core?! They were claiming they can make their dual core into quad core while OCing... Can you help me on that?

 

[Twoboxer]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=AMD+Phenom+unlock+third+core

 

[xaira]

the phenom x2 550 is sold as a 3.1 ghz dual core processor but it actually was created as a quad core and then two of the cores were disabled, on some mainboards which support advanced clock calibration it is possible to activate the cores wich were disabled, but the risk is that some of these quads wernt fully functional and some were, so some were disabled because of faulty cores and usually bluescreen or dont even post while others are unlocked overclocked and work flawlessly.

 

[powerfuel]

Okay... Still weird... Is it right if I say that they made a quad core prototype sucking balls running on quad core (unstable, etc.) but working very well on dual. I'm just trying to figure out why the hell they make a quad if they know they are goin to sell it as a dual.

 

[xaira]

because its cheaper to make just one thing and modify it so you can sell it as different things, think about it this way, why is it that subway cuts a footlong in 2 if you order a six inch sub? why didnt they just make a six inch sandwich in the first place? because they would have to have two different dough molds baking the bread which would lead to an increase in baking prices. whereas someone just takes a nife cuts it in 2 ur happy theyre happy...

 

[amnotanoobie]

Okay... Still weird... Is it right if I say that they made a quad core prototype sucking balls running on quad core (unstable, etc.) but working very well on dual. I'm just trying to figure out why the hell they make a quad if they know they are goin to sell it as a dual.

Simple, now it comes out only from one production line. They didn't need to create a new factory to produce dual/triple cores.

 

[Wisecracker]

Okay... Still weird... Is it right if I say that they made a quad core prototype sucking balls running on quad core (unstable, etc.) but working very well on dual. I'm just trying to figure out why the hell they make a quad if they know they are goin to sell it as a dual.

There are several lines of thought ... and AMD ain't talking.

1) AMD wants a product in a certain price point at a certain quantity and 'neuters' a standard chip to meet that demand;

2) The chip does not pass some design parameter or a core exhibits odd behavior and is neutered;

3) AMD just plain screwed-up and mobo manufacturers are not cooperating with BIOS lock-downs;

4) AMD is sending every single chip out the door in order to make money; and/or

5) AMD is just messin' with everyone to create a buzz.

 

[zwierdo]

Hi,
I am looking for this CPU (which seem to be the best option for me) and I found some articles talking about hidden core?! They were claiming they can make their dual core into quad core while OCing... Can you help me on that?

I just bought a x2 550 and a gigabyte 785g-usd2 mobo last week from Tiger Direct. The chip unlocked all 4 cores.

 

[powerfuel]

Nice!
Can you tell me your OC performances?

 

[zwierdo]

I haven't tried overclocking yet. I really want to install a better heatsink, before pushing the chip.

 

[powerfuel]

What is your build?

 

[zwierdo]

What is your build?

New:
Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H AMD785G Socket AM2+ MB BIOS v F2
AMD Phenom II X2 550 3.1Ghz Black Edition AM3 CPU (w/stock cooler)
OCZ Vista Performace Ed. 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz
Corsair CX400W 400W Power Supply

Repurposed:
320GB SATA HD Seagate
midtower ATX case
keyboard, mouse, monitor
XP Pro

My computer has been running smooth, on 2 cores. I ran memtest86 and the Prime95 torture test for 8 hours without problems.

After unlocking the 4 cores, my computer has been running without glitches during basic internet surfing, but the temperature spikes over 60*C when I start the Prime95 torture test. So I will upgrade the cooling system before running on 4 cores.

 

[powerfuel]

the phenom can't support DDR3 Dual channel?
PSU 400W is enough o0? a sellor told me that I needed around 500-600W. If yes then it's a good news =).
What kind of game are you running on that build? Is it smooth?

 

[jj463rd]

What is your build?

New:
Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H AMD785G Socket AM2+ MB BIOS v F2
AMD Phenom II X2 550 3.1Ghz Black Edition AM3 CPU (w/stock cooler)
OCZ Vista Performace Ed. 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz
Corsair CX400W 400W Power Supply

Repurposed:
320GB SATA HD Seagate
midtower ATX case
keyboard, mouse, monitor
XP Pro

My computer has been running smooth, on 2 cores. I ran memtest86 and the Prime95 torture test for 8 hours without problems.

After unlocking the 4 cores, my computer has been running without glitches during basic internet surfing, but the temperature spikes over 60*C when I start the Prime95 torture test. So I will upgrade the cooling system before running on 4 cores.

I just noticed that both that particular CPU and that motherboard were on sale in a combo deal over at newegg with $30 off as I post this for around $150.Notice though that that motherboard uses DDR2 memory.Still quite a good deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.240747

 

[shadowryche]

the phenom can't support DDR3 Dual channel?
PSU 400W is enough o0? a sellor told me that I needed around 500-600W. If yes then it's a good news =).
What kind of game are you running on that build? Is it smooth?

For a demo system, I bought a cheap Logisys chasis with a 480w power supply. Its been running a Phenom II 940, 4gb of DDR2 1066mhz, 500gb SATA II HDD, DVD Burner, and Radeon HD 4770 512mb now for over a month. A neighborhood kid comes in and plays Crysis on it three hours at a time, three or four days a week. I think a 400w power supply would be sufficient for a basic system with onboard video. My demo is probably pushing this 480 to its limits.

 

[zwierdo]

New:
Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H AMD785G Socket AM2+ MB BIOS v F2
AMD Phenom II X2 550 3.1Ghz Black Edition AM3 CPU (w/stock cooler)
OCZ Vista Performace Ed. 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz
Corsair CX400W 400W Power Supply

I really like the system so far. It was intended as a real budget build with the thought that if my cores unlock, I can later swap in a Regor 250 and use it as a HTPC, then build a true AM3/DDR3 with the Callisto.

I did go over budget, of course! And now I have the PC building bug.

 

[Kalawbe]

x2 550 here,
all four cores unlocked
overclocked to 3.5 stable with voltage up to 1.475

 

[JDFan]

There are several lines of thought ... and AMD ain't talking.

1) AMD wants a product in a certain price point at a certain quantity and 'neuters' a standard chip to meet that demand;

2) The chip does not pass some design parameter or a core exhibits odd behavior and is neutered;

3) AMD just plain screwed-up and mobo manufacturers are not cooperating with BIOS lock-downs;

4) AMD is sending every single chip out the door in order to make money; and/or

5) AMD is just messin' with everyone to create a buzz.

You also forgot that when they manufacture a platter and cut it up into the CPUs the CPUs that come from the outer edges are prone to having defects in them and by making those with defects into dual or triple core processors they actually save money since they can sell them instead of trashing them. (though I quess that could be part of #2.) Also the cost to retool an assembly line to create a different chip cost millions and by just disabling the cores instead of retooling the line they save that money. And they actually like having them able to be unlocked in some cases since once people hear of the possibility of unlocking they sell more of the chips enabling them to sell off the defective chips as well.