My Phenom II x4 965 BE is showing 3 cores

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cmaki2008

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Apr 2, 2010
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I bought a cpu of craigslist like a dumbo and didn't notice that it was only showing up 3 cores in windows 7

now I know and i was wondering if I got a good deal and what could have been done to make it only show 3 cores.
I was also thinking about later on just buying the same processor and putting it into the mb would this be a good idea? Money aside I just need a gaming cpu I haven't had a new cpu since 98 so this is nice either way to me.
Keep in mind he will give me 720 back out of the 760 the other 40 is for his "time" even though I had to drive 2 hours each way to get it lol..
Sorry for the story figured you guys might wonder how I got a core 3 out of a 4 lol..

anyways to my point..
http://img251.imageshack.us/i/cpu2r.jpg/
http://img255.imageshack.us/i/cpu1j.jpg/

AMD Phenom II x4 965 BE CPU (only shows 3 cores though i bought this whole rig for 760)
windows 7
64 bit
biostar ta790gx a3+ mb
xfx 5770 1gb
4gb xms3 corsair
antec 650w +60 psu
antec case with 5 120 fans
 
Solution
saaiello
Before you do anything open msconfig by pressing the start + r and type msconfig then go to boot tab and then advanced options chek number of processors and see if it lets you put it to 4. If that dont work go into bios and see if somehow its disabled I think it should be in the ACC menu.

Also try reseting the bios by removing the battery from the motherboard for a minute remember to unplug the computer first.

And last thing you can try is update bios to the latest if its a revision C3 CPU it needs an updated bios for it to work correctly.

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/t-series/bios.php?S_ID=395

I doubt the CPU is bad so update the bios.

The more I think about it the guy might have installed windows with a different processor...
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Before you do anything open msconfig by pressing the start + r and type msconfig then go to boot tab and then advanced options chek number of processors and see if it lets you put it to 4. If that dont work go into bios and see if somehow its disabled I think it should be in the ACC menu.

Also try reseting the bios by removing the battery from the motherboard for a minute remember to unplug the computer first.

And last thing you can try is update bios to the latest if its a revision C3 CPU it needs an updated bios for it to work correctly.

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/t-series/bios.php?S_ID=395

I doubt the CPU is bad so update the bios.

The more I think about it the guy might have installed windows with a different processor like an Phenom II x3 so definitely check the msconfig settings.

I do think you overpaid for that system too TBH.
 
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Solution
There is a thread about that in the link below.

http://forums.amd.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=319&threadid=126957&enterthread=y.

Looks like a few people had the same problem with the C3 versions, and it was fixed by re-seating the CPU.

A bios update wouldn't hurt though.
 
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It says on biostars support page says it needs the latest bios to run c3 CPUs
 
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ok only 3 cores under advanced options
he gave me the box when I bought it with receipt and everything I asked him if he ever overclocked it he sweared up and down he never did but its a black edition...'

in my mb book under acc it shows nothing but ill look and see if i can see anything saying acc settings

anything special i should use to take out the battery i know i need to touch the power supply to ground myself but that's about it
 
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ok my bios says
main/advanced/pci-pnp/boot/chipset/t-series

under advanced i went to cpu config figured maybe this is what you ment

here's what it says

cpu config
(sorry bad handwriting here) modulever:13.c1 or 01 i believe sorry =/
agesa ver 3.4.7.0
physical count:1
logical count:4
amd phneom IIx4 965 processor
cache l1 512kb
cache l2 2048kb
cache l3 6mb
speed 3400 mhz mb clk 2000mhz
ncih+ speed 200 mhz, width i/o: 16/16bit
able to change freq: yes
ucode patch level😱x1000086
secure virtual machine mode enabled
cool n quiet enabled
acpi srat table enabled
probe filter auto
C1E support disable
 
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Did you try clearing the bios by takeing the battery out also try reseating the processor like Raid said. Bios update could be it too. If I were you make that guy give you all your money back and build one yourself for $760 you could of built something yourself better.
 
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Try taking the CPU out of the system and closely inspect it for any bent\broken pins and also check the MOBO for any deformed holes in the socket then replace it in the socket put on new thermal paste and try booting again to see if it will work properly. If it still does not show the 4th core call AMD and see if they will let you RMA it - With the serial number off of the CPU they should be able to check when the manufacture date of the chip was and might cover it if less than 3 years old and might replace it as defective even if it is out of warranty - so never hurts to call them and check !!
 
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Yeah, one reasons I never buy used stuff for my PC. :)

You can always re-sell it but I think you'll be fine after a bios update (and possibly re-seating the CPU, which means simply taking it out and putting it back in). Let us know how it goes!

RMAs are another great option as JDFan said.
 
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Sucks bro... Never buy USED electronics unless it's from a reliable source: ie: your friends/relatives. Let that be a lesson.

I agree with the CMOS reset - go take the battery out and when you do it this time hit the power button while the battery is out to flush the capacitors.

Also, its kind of a dick move but you might call this guy and tell him that the CPU has bent pins when it does not and you will contact the law authorities if something is not negotiated. He might have very well sold this comp because he was too dumb to figure this out himself.
 
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I am sorry if you already did this or stated it but I am frankly lazy at the moment and don't want to read all the posts. If you haven't done so yet, make sure your board is currently running a BIOS that has official support for your cpu.

It it does look around in the BIOS to see if 4 cores are enabled and working. Good way to get a quick check is the temp sensors in BIOS. If all is good in there then download and burn a linux live cd like ubuntu and check the system properties off the live cd. See if four cores show up there. If so a clean install of windows should do the trick.
 
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I tryed using the windows installer for ubuntu and it wont start when i pick it from my partitions.. =/ I'll have to buy some cd-rw's and try that I guess maybe it will run off cd better lol..

as far as bios goes it says under advanced

cpu configuration
module ver 13.51
agesa ver 3.4..7.0
physical count:1
logical count 4

Amd phenom(tm) IIx4 965 processor
revision: c2
cache l1:512 kb
cache l2: 2048kb
cache l3:6mb
speed 3400 mhz nb lk:2000mhz
Nc HT speed: 2000 mhz width i/o 16/16


I got all my bios written down when I removed the battery where would i go to enable or disable a core and

THANK YOU EVERYONE for helping with this thread you have all been great..

I'm not going to fight with the guy about it, its a 2 hour drive wastes gas every time he isn't going to give me my money back.. i'm broke but my dad will buy me another processor i'm going to have a cpu shop install it because i dont trust myself and im not taking a chance with the processor..
I'm gonna get another phenom IIx4 965 is that the better of the amd's?

I went out and bought some thermal paste since this cpu is already f'd up i'm assuming i'm going to take it out and check for bent pins and reseat it (or atleast try in a+ class I sucked with heatsinks getting them back on).. Hell it runs right now I don't want to f that up lol...
 
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A clean install of windows of should fix it right up. What I guess happened was the guy you got it from had a different AMD chip(prob a tri or dual core) in the machine and upgraded to your current x4 without reinstalling windows. From my experiences windows generally doesn't like when you do that.

Four cores are seen in the BIOS. Four cores are seen in linux. = Windows issue not cpu.
 
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anyways to sum it up I installed the disk he gave me for windows 7 non genuine its showing 4 cores so problem is solved...I'm happy I guess... I wonder how I can tell if this is the full version of windows 7 or a beta? I can update it and everything...


Again I appreciate every single reply I got back and thank you all for your time and expertise :bounce:
 
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