AMD Triple Core (hidden quad??) + new build advice

[kladal]

Hi,

Building new system for client in the next week (purchased mostly through Newegg):

-NZXT Alpha Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
-Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA
-SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported
-LG Black bezel SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model GDR-H20N - OEM
-NZXT PS-NT-PP600-R 600W ATX / BTX SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply
-OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit
-AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor
-BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

There will be gaming and OC'ing.

Questions:

1. I heard that the "magical fourth core" of this triple core processor can be unlocked with this MOBO. Is it something I should attempt or is it not stable? I heard that AMD rushed some quads out and renamed them as the triple core during Feb/Mar of this year. Not sure what to believe...

2. What type of cpu heatsink and cooler would you recommend for this build?

3. Does anyone see any potential issues with this build?

Thank you!

 

[Outlander_04]

the quad and the triple core are the same part . The 4th core might run but it wont run as well as the other 3 so AMD disable it .

The disabled core will often run at stock speeds, but is unlikely to overclock . For gaming you'd be better off with 3 overclocked cores instead of 4 slower ones

There is no mystery

 

[marco324]

just turn on acc in the bios unlocks the 4th core if its not stable just turn off acc in the bios will shut the 4th core
off again build looks good
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/unlock-phenom-ii,2273.html
the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 is a great cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

 

[kladal]

just turn on acc in the bios unlocks the 4th core if its not stable just turn off acc in the bios will shut the 4th core
off again build looks good
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/unlock-phenom-ii,2273.html
the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 is a great cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Does the Xigmatek you mentioned come with thermal compound? Should I get the highly touted Silver compuond? How about TX-2?

Thanks again.

 

[AKM880]

I don't think it wil come with thermal paste, but I just buy my own even though there is already some on

 

[theAnimal]

I would recommend a 4770 over the 4850, uses 1/2 the power for about the same performance.

Get a better quality PSU. Corsair VX450 would be plenty.

 

[marco324]

i don't think it comes with any can't remember used my own you want to install it on the brass part thin lines

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/755/3/

installs super easy on amd system just put it straight on then just pull the clip over fans a little hard installing
one of the best for the money can't go wrong

 

[kladal]

Hi,

For the build I mentioned above, is the PSU I originally listed sufficient or would this Corsair 450W be enough:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

Thank you!