Phenom Exposed! Shipping with flaky 3rd cores.

[jimmysmitty]

Concerning 939 and 754, what was AMD supposed to do? The standard was moving towards DDR2, and the existing arch couldn't handle it. I suppose they could've stuck with those platforms a while longer... but the longer people are allowed to buy something thats outdated will just make them more angry that it can't be updated.

I know, say screw their "easy upgrade" path to those who bought a 939 mobo and release a new mobo with DDR2 support and one more pin i.e. AM2?

 

[caamsa]

I know, say screw their "easy upgrade" path to those who bought a 939 mobo and release a new mobo with DDR2 support and one more pin i.e. AM2?

They had to so it would support DDR2. Remember on die memory controller? Intell has theirs on the mother board. Again what were they supposed to do? I think the mistake they made was that they stopped producing processors for 939 too quickly and then suddenly there were no mother boards and that is what made a lot of people angry. But a lot of people have 939 systems they are using (me included) and they still perform well and are very reliable systems.

I have a system that I keep out in the garage and only use once a month for LAN parties. It is subject to extreme changes in temperatures and it works flawlessly every time.

Yea some the guys at the LAN bring their best system with their core2, high end video card and 24 inch LCD screen and I am there with my single core 3800+ X800GTO and a 17 inch LCD. But I still pwn most of them. It aint always about the equipment but the person who is operating it.

I would say that I am at an advantage in regards to computer games. I grew up at a time when your guy/character on the screen was a dang dot! So any thing that looks better than a dot is good enough for me. I like nice graphics and am impressed with some of the games of today but looks aint everything.

 

[bull999999]

I ended up picking up at 9600BE as well since it was on sale for $229 at the local Microcenter (same price as regular 9600 so why not?). I also got the dreaded "A clock interrupt was not received on a secondary processor within an allocated time." BSOD in Vista 64 a few times, at stock speeds, and I wasn't doing anything processor intensive. I was considering lowering the speed of the 3rd cord as well, but after reading xnamerxx's post, I decided disabling Cool 'n Quiet first. Since I disabled Cool 'n Quiet, the computer hasn't crashed once, even after several hours of gaming.

So if you are having issues with the 9600, try disabled Cool 'n Quiet before resorting to underclocking. Yeah I still consider that as a defact and that AMD should recall the affected CPUs, but hopefully, this will get you going before that (if) happens.

 

[caamsa]

I ended up picking up at 9600BE as well since it was on sale for $229 at the local Microcenter (same price as regular 9600 so why not?). I also got the dreaded "A clock interrupt was not received on a secondary processor within an allocated time." BSOD in Vista 64 a few times, at stock speeds, and I wasn't doing anything processor intensive. I was considering lowering the speed of the 3rd cord as well, but after reading xnamerxx's post, I decided disabling Cool 'n Quiet first. Since I disabled Cool 'n Quiet, the computer hasn't crashed once, even after several hours of gaming.

So if you are having issues with the 9600, try disabled Cool 'n Quiet before resorting to underclocking. Yeah I still consider that as a defact and that AMD should recall the affected CPUs, but hopefully, this will get you going before that (if) happens.

Thanks for sharing. I personally would send the thing back or at least notify AMD with your problem and tell them of your disappointment with their product. Then send the thing back.

 

[timaahhh]

Wow, I didn't think the Pheonoms were that defective... I just thought they were budget (cheap and slow) quad cores. Good write up.

 

[ragemonkey]

I ended up picking up at 9600BE as well since it was on sale for $229 at the local Microcenter (same price as regular 9600 so why not?). I also got the dreaded "A clock interrupt was not received on a secondary processor within an allocated time." BSOD in Vista 64 a few times, at stock speeds, and I wasn't doing anything processor intensive. I was considering lowering the speed of the 3rd cord as well, but after reading xnamerxx's post, I decided disabling Cool 'n Quiet first. Since I disabled Cool 'n Quiet, the computer hasn't crashed once, even after several hours of gaming.

So if you are having issues with the 9600, try disabled Cool 'n Quiet before resorting to underclocking. Yeah I still consider that as a defact and that AMD should recall the affected CPUs, but hopefully, this will get you going before that (if) happens.

Personally, I have seen the clock interrupt BSoD happening more in Vista x64 than I have in x86. For example, the last 9500 I OC'd successfully to 2.62, runs rock solid in Vista x86, and has even passed a 5 hour 100% load burn-in test. However, in Vista x64, it will... at random times, give the clock interrupt BSoD.

And you are correct about CnQ, you do need to disable it before trying to OC.

 

[ragemonkey]

My RMA replacement 9600BE arrived today, I'll be testing it out to see if it has the same issue.

 

[bmadd]

for ppl who were talking about batch numbers and such this is my phenoms

HD9500WCJ4BGD
C44ZB AA 0743EPNW
1924068K70052

i didn't knoww how to paste a picture in

 

[yipsl]

I never at any point said that *every* Phenom that shipt has this problem. What I have said, and what I am hoping to prove is... (1) That some, or many, Phenoms are shipping with the 3rd core (logical core 2) issue... and (2) This issue, and not the TLB errata, is the real issue as to why Phenoms at or above 2.4 ghz were scrapped.

Have you read that triple cores will be clocked higher than quads? I'd figured that the reports of flaky core 2's were due to QA issues, that the processors snuck past the "bin for triple core" line at AMD's fab. Since hearing about higher clocked triple cores, I'm not so sure. If there's a single core issue that prevents higher speeds, we could see reliable triple cores at around 3.0. They might be a better, more stable deal, then the quads; though I doubt they'd have much headroom for overclocking.

For all my social conscience issues with Intel and my loyalty to AMD, getting that 3870x2 makes me want to get a $239 Wolfie once I get my new monitor. We'll see. I'd love quad core for futureproofing, but Q6600 will be supplanted soon and by the time Intel has their next quads out, then Phenom will probably be 45nm and might have those core issues solved.

Some Phenom core issues could be due to Cool N' Quiet, or to a 64 bit Windows; just as some reported temp issues with Wolfdale could be due to using the wrong overclocking software under Vista. The number of bad Phenom core reports might be about the same as the number of core temp reports with Wolfdale, but unless independent research confirms, and compares both, we won't know.

All I know is AMD says they'll have 45nm quads out sooner than anyone expected and Intel seems to be having issues. There are quite a few growing pains for both companies going beyond X2 and C2D. For that reason, I'm likely to wait and stick with my X2 4600+ until well into fall.

 

[epsilon84]

Have you read that triple cores will be clocked higher than quads? I'd figured that the reports of flaky core 2's were due to QA issues, that the processors snuck past the "bin for triple core" line at AMD's fab. Since hearing about higher clocked triple cores, I'm not so sure. If there's a single core issue that prevents higher speeds, we could see reliable triple cores at around 3.0. They might be a better, more stable deal, then the quads; though I doubt they'd have much headroom for overclocking.

No, I haven't seen those reports. I see you are mentioning this in every 2nd post, can you please provide a source/link to where you read tri-cores will be clocked faster than quads? The roadmaps that I've seen indicate that 2.5GHz will be the top clocked tri-core.

 

[ragemonkey]

I'm not so sure that you are correct in thinking that the tro-cores will hit 3.0ghz. Even on a quad that doesn't have the "clock interupt" issue, the people who get their Phenoms above 2.6 are few and far between. The only chip I've gotten that high so far was a 9500. The RMA replacment 9600BE that came in on Friday... I can't get a hair above 2.4 on Vista 32... and wont even install Vista x64.

 

[ragemonkey]

Unfortunately, my second 9600BE has turned out to be almost as much of a bust as the first.

At stock speeds, it would not even install Vista x64
The biggest OC I could achieve in Vista x86 was 2.50 ghz (raising the multi to 12.5, or raising the Ref. Clock to 218. It seemed to pass the stability tests at 2.50, but started reacting very badly to 2.50 this evening. I attempted to raise the Vcore up to 1.45 (as high as I'm willing to take a 65nm chip) and still no go. I ended up backing it off to 2.4, and it seems to be okay for the moment, although still wont even install Vista x64.

I ended up getting so frustrated that I put the 9500 I was testing back in and it is running happily at 2.62 ghz with no problems whatsoever. I am returning the P.O.S. BE for a refund. I think its kinda sad that the bottom of the line phenoms have better OCing headroom than the ones supposedly marketed towards enthusiasts.

 

[bull999999]

caamsa: I'm not planning on returning the chip as then I'll be out a computer, but I am planning on sending them a letter about it. I put in few more days of gaming without BSODing with CnQ off so I can live with that. I'll chulk this up as "you get what you pay for" experience.

ragemonkey: I haven't tried OCing it yet as I wanted to make sure it ran stable at stock speed first, but I'll try and post my results soon.

 

[yomamafor1]

No, I haven't seen those reports. I see you are mentioning this in every 2nd post, can you please provide a source/link to where you read tri-cores will be clocked faster than quads? The roadmaps that I've seen indicate that 2.5GHz will be the top clocked tri-core.

The tri-cores are based on B2 revisions, so 3.0Ghz is really unlikely, and not to mention they are failed binned quads. I'm also looking somewhere between 2.2Ghz ~ 2.5Ghz.

 

[apache_lives]

Have you read that triple cores will be clocked higher than quads? I'd figured that the reports of flaky core 2's were due to QA issues, that the processors snuck past the "bin for triple core" line at AMD's fab. Since hearing about higher clocked triple cores, I'm not so sure. If there's a single core issue that prevents higher speeds, we could see reliable triple cores at around 3.0. They might be a better, more stable deal, then the quads; though I doubt they'd have much headroom for overclocking.

For all my social conscience issues with Intel and my loyalty to AMD, getting that 3870x2 makes me want to get a $239 Wolfie once I get my new monitor. We'll see. I'd love quad core for futureproofing, but Q6600 will be supplanted soon and by the time Intel has their next quads out, then Phenom will probably be 45nm and might have those core issues solved.

Some Phenom core issues could be due to Cool N' Quiet, or to a 64 bit Windows; just as some reported temp issues with Wolfdale could be due to using the wrong overclocking software under Vista. The number of bad Phenom core reports might be about the same as the number of core temp reports with Wolfdale, but unless independent research confirms, and compares both, we won't know.

All I know is AMD says they'll have 45nm quads out sooner than anyone expected and Intel seems to be having issues. There are quite a few growing pains for both companies going beyond X2 and C2D. For that reason, I'm likely to wait and stick with my X2 4600+ until well into fall.

Overclocking, and not seating the cooler will generally raise the temps and can be fixed, and no way in hell do overclockers use crappy software "under vista" to overclock, id love to see your source?

Generally Intel is one manafacturing process ahead, so when we see 32nm Intel samples (as in working samples) we will have 45nm AMD's... months later, but concidering that AMD still hasnt figured 65nm, or the issues with its design, id say later rather then sooner.

 

[ro3dog]

AMD 45nm will be out 4thQ 08 or 1stQ 09.Intel 32nm wont

 

[bull999999]

While still at stock speeds, I played Sins of Solar Empire for a couple of hours while downloading a bunch of file in the background and installing VMWare server without any issues. However, I got that dreaded BSOD again this morning and all I was doing was checking my E-mails. I swear if it BSODs on me once more, I'll return it for an X2.

 

[ro3dog]

I concider myself a rashional AMD-fanbeau,so take it from me and send it back.I doubt you will find any good help here for your trouble

 

[ragemonkey]

@bull999999

Are you getting the "clock interrupt" BSoD or a different one? Have you tried downclocking the 3rd core using AOD?

From my experience it is really frustrating, as a chip may "seem" to behave and do just fine for hours at a time... then the next day BSoD like crazy. You may need to RMA it like I did with my first (and now second) Phenom

 

[bull999999]

ragemonkey,

I did indeed get the "clock interrupt" BSD. I'll most likely RMA it since while $229's a good price for a quad core, it's not so much for a tri-core.

 

[TechnologyCoordinator]

ragemonkey,

I did indeed get the "clock interrupt" BSD. I'll most likely RMA it since while $229's a good price for a quad core, it's not so much for a tri-core.

Perhaps you can RMA it, wait a few months, and possibly get the same processor as a tri-core?

JUST KIDDING!

 

[ragemonkey]

dude... thats bad...

lmao, but thats baaaaad

 

[ragemonkey]

@bull999999

If it fails to run relaibly at stock speeds I would definately RMA it. Chances are you have a flaky core, you could go through the trouble of isolating it, just click on the links at the beginning of this thread for the steps on how to do it.

 

[enigma067]

^^^
Not 100% sure TBO.
I remember hearing all their fabrication of cpu's was outsourced.
They may have their own facilities, but i doubt they produce commercial quantities from them.

I also believe AMD should be punished for spreading BS and misleading the public.

And ignore all the illegal activity Intel has been engaged in ? ? ?

 

[enigma067]

Bottom line is, no one in this thread truely knows or understands what is going on.

SPECULATION is not fact.

Best to wait for the dust to clear. Then the truth will be known.

e