Phenom II X2 550 turns into a Phenom II X4 B50

[OvrClkr]

Assuming you get a 550BE that unlocks, what should the steps be to ensure that the unlocked cores are functioning at 100%. I know there's the 3DMark stress test, but what else should you look for? I wouldn't want to get one that unlocks and then not be able to discern if the cores are at 100%. I'm new to this so I don't know if it's obvious or subtle to detect any subpar performance.

You run an instance of prime95 for at least 4-6 hours (24 hours is recommended to ensure full stability)...

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Home-Education/Prime95.shtml

Make sure you test "LOTS OF RAM" on your first torture-test :

 

[VinnyChase]

Thanks. The Prime95 stress test is what I meant to say.

So after you run the test it will be apparent whether it is a chip that will run stably or a chip that isn't stable? Basically, if it passes the stress tests than the likelihood of future problems with the unlocked cores is minimal?

I think the main things holding me back are the possibility of getting a 550BE that doesn't unlock and then sending it back and trying again and also the possibility of getting a chip that unlocks but isn't stable.

This is my first build so I'm dealing with the learning curve. I don't know if trying to unlock the 550BE would be biting off more than I can chew.

 

[videl]

For people who want to unlock, here's a great guide I found for unlocking cores!
http://www.overclock.net/amd-cpus/535501-amd-phenom-ii-core-unlocking-guide.html

 

[OvrClkr]

Thanks. The Prime95 stress test is what I meant to say.

So after you run the test it will be apparent whether it is a chip that will run stably or a chip that isn't stable? Basically, if it passes the stress tests than the likelihood of future problems with the unlocked cores is minimal?

I think the main things holding me back are the possibility of getting a 550BE that doesn't unlock and then sending it back and trying again and also the possibility of getting a chip that unlocks but isn't stable.

This is my first build so I'm dealing with the learning curve. I don't know if trying to unlock the 550BE would be biting off more than I can chew.

Well look at it this way..... mines is running as a dual core and it is VERY fast for a 99.99$ CPU, so regardless is it unlocks or not you are still getting a hell of a deal..... Your chances are very good if you buy from Newegg, their current batch has been able to unlock the cores just fine.... haven't heard anyone not being able to unlock the cores recently so my suggestion is that you order now or just go for a different chip......

 

[videl]

^I second that!
When I was unlocking my 550 it was new to me too...I was building my system with unlocking option in mind, but I wasn't getting my hopes up. When the parts came and I built the system, I just thought "let's try to unlock the cores" and I tried it, and it worked...and now I'm happy...The worst thing that can happen is it doesn't unlock or isn't stable when unlocked, so don't worry because you can send it back in to hopefully get another one that unlocks or keep it as a dual core CPU. So hurry and order now!

 

[pb3176]

like mentioned above i first got a 0924 batch that would not unlock and i sent it back and got a 0922 batch. now i running the cpu as a x4 B50 at 3.1 and my temps never get above 50 unless im stress testing the cpu for stability. i ran a cpu stress test that is in everest and never seen my temp get above 62. i have a crappy case that traps heat and looking at getting this one soon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
and 2 of these fans for the front.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103061


right now i only have my psu blowing the heat out and my case fan in the back of my case. total lack of airflow in my case.

 

[videl]

Do you have a nice aftermarket cooler for your CPU?

 

[OvrClkr]

like mentioned above i first got a 0924 batch that would not unlock and i sent it back and got a 0922 batch. now i running the cpu as a x4 B50 at 3.1 and my temps never get above 50 unless im stress testing the cpu for stability. i ran a cpu stress test that is in everest and never seen my temp get above 62. i have a crappy case that traps heat and looking at getting this one soon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
and 2 of these fans for the front.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103061


right now i only have my psu blowing the heat out and my case fan in the back of my case. total lack of airflow in my case.

Yea you need a massive airflow fix, or a new case.... any pics of your case so we can see what you are working with?

 

[pb3176]

videl yeah i have a great cpu cooler. it is this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125

ovrclkr i dont have any pics right now ill take some and upload them to show you but it is just a cheap case with no spots for a case fans except for 1 rear exhaust fan.

 

[OvrClkr]

videl yeah i have a great cpu cooler. it is this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125

ovrclkr i dont have any pics right now ill take some and upload them to show you but it is just a cheap case with no spots for a case fans except for 1 rear exhaust fan.

I have the same cooler as you,

Here is a pic back when i was building this comp....

Temps under LOAD @ 3.6Ghz :

In the same case you are looking at :

 

[pb3176]

here are the photos i just took of my case.

 

[pb3176]

i see that you have the case i want. how do you like it? yes i bought that hsf after you told me about it when i was getting my parts. it came with that 80mm case fan you see in those pics.

 

[pb3176]

lol yes i know i have a mess of wires. i had to install my hdd up top so my sata power cable would reach it from my dvd drive.
i think i could mount a fan on the inside infront of the hard drive bays but not sure how much that would help.

 

[OvrClkr]

I love it, I have used a few cases before but nothing like the Antec 300... I needed something small with very good airflow.... Bought 4 Rosewill 120mm (2k RPM) fans and a fan controller and Im a happy camper.....

it looks like you need some cable management here is a pic of what it should look like with your new Antec 300 :

 

[pb3176]

right now im at 44 just doing simple things on teh internet and not really putting a load on my cpu and in at 44 that is with 4 cores. it dont show per core temp. i kinda want to lock the two cores back and see what the temps are like.

did your case come with a 120 and a 140 installed? if so how did those work for cooling?

 

[pb3176]

yes a bottom mounted pus will help me alot.
i noticed that you adjusted your hsf to blow up to the 140mm on top. where are your cables going to in your case is there a little spot that they tuck into?

 

[pb3176]

ok i was looking at some photos of the case and love how it has that area where the cables go between the hdd bays and the side of the case. nice feature

 

[OvrClkr]

right now im at 44 just doing simple things on teh internet and not really putting a load on my cpu and in at 44 that is with 4 cores. it dont show per core temp. i kinda want to lock the two cores back and see what the temps are like.

did your case come with a 120 and a 140 installed? if so how did those work for cooling?

Yes, the Antec 300 comes with one 120mm and one 140mm (both exhaust)....

The only Antec fan that I am using is the top 140mm.... all the rest are rosewill's ....

The Antec 120mm was too loud for me at 100% RPM, so i removed it and installed a more quiet fan....

 

[pb3176]

i locked my cpu back up so it is running with just 2 cores and my temps are the same. i can look at my core temps with only 2 and here is a screen of them. looks as if enabling the 2 other cores dont do much with the overall cpu temp.

nice looking case pic.

 

[OvrClkr]

What was the CPU speed ? 3.1Ghz Stock?

 

[pb3176]

yes that was at stock speeds. i got it at 3.8 right now and voltage 1.4 and the themps are not much more than that. im going to see if i can hit 4ghz on 2 cores. brb got to reboot and move my multiplier up a notch.

 

[pb3176]

well i could not get past 3.8 on 2 cores. im sure my nbcpu voltage needed bumpped up but it is late and im not going to do that tonight.
however i am back on 4 cores and running it at 3.4 ghz and temps are 50 for the cpu. like i mentioned before when enabling all cores you loke the per core temp and it just shows a cpu temp.

 

[VinnyChase]

I have some questions about the 0926APBW 550BE's. Is this the latest batch that you guys are referring to? Is it too early to tell if the unlocked cores in this batch will work fine in the long run? I'd hate for them to work great for a while then die.

Also, what's the likelihood of getting a 0922APMW, which apparently has a high probability of unlocking.

 

[videl]

If your 550 unlocks and passes the stability tests then your good to go, it won't die later. So no worry there.
This is how I heard it works: AMD decided to make a powerful dual-core CPU without much work, so they decided to take their flagship quad-core (X4 955) and lock two cores to make a killer dual-core CPU. Later, in order to not lose profit on faulty chips, they started taking the faulty chips (one not working core, two...no way to know, unless you test it as tri-core) and locking two cores to make them into dual-cores. Many people buy this CPU, so obviously they don't have that much faulty chips lying around. So they take normal 955 chips and lock two cores to satisfy demands. That's why there are more people with successful unlocks then with unsuccessful unlocks. According to this thread http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=227004 , a total of 94 successful unlocks out of 125 chips not counting the 2 tri-core successes. That's an approximate 75.2% chance of unlocking successfully!

And the probability of getting a 0922APMW is low-medium (I would guess) because they are one of the earlier batches. But the new batches are unlocking well too...

Edit: or is it medium-low? LOL :lol:

 

[videl]

0926APBW is not the latest batch but is one of the latest...I think the latest one now is 0929BPMW.
If some people are still getting the 0922APMW and the 0922CPMW batches then you should have no problem finding a 0926APBW. Just order and see if it unlocks, if it doesn't send it back to hopefully get another batch that unlocks. Remember it's not just in the batches, sometimes one will unlock and the other won't from the same batch...