AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 550 3.10GHz Black Edition

Its_Me · 18 Jun 2009 at 00:43

Ok Update on mine.
tried Bios 110-1104 wit hfollowing settings:

Vcore 1.4v / 8x200(1600mhz) / 1Ghz NB
Unleashed with ALlcore settings;

BIOS 1101.
-2%, -4%, -6%, 0%, Auto, +2%, +4%, +6% ALL NO POST.
-8%, -10%, +8%, +10% POST As only Dual core (deafult values).

BIOS 1104.
All settings NO POST.

All restarts in 1104 required Jumper clearing of Cmos to get back to BIOS.

odd behaviour ?

Its_Me · 18 Jun 2009 at 15:28

Im going to concentrate on getting the most out of mine on 2cores.

As a plus my system loads Vista and seems generaly faster overall then on my old c2D/8200 & P5K setup.

What does seem to realy help seems to be keeping the NB and HT as fast as possible. (mine currently 2200mhz)

Currently at 3700mhz with default Vcore, but only had 8hours on Prime - still need to test with OCCT.

raptormonkey · 18 Jun 2009 at 17:17

Is it worth trying to get 4 cores working as is it possible it will cause issues with the CPU as it was not meant to be 4 core in the first place?

siumatfung · 18 Jun 2009 at 17:35

i dont think it is u would rather try and break the 4ghz barrier

ive always wandered if this chip can keep up with an E8500 or even the E8600(EO step)

keep bashin its_me

Big.Wayne · 18 Jun 2009 at 17:42

siumatfung said:
would rather try and break the 4ghz barrier

Go on my son!

siumatfung said:
ive always wandered if this chip can keep up with an E8500 or even the E8600(EO step)

or even an E8400!

Nice to see more fun and games on the AMD platform, it's been a long time! :cool:

Its_Me · 18 Jun 2009 at 18:16

Just noticed, the max stecified vcore is 1.55v :eek:

bodybag · 18 Jun 2009 at 20:02

Its_Me said:
Just noticed, the max stecified vcore is 1.55v

yeah I noticed that too.....I have had mine at 1.5, although I can get 3.9 on 1.485!

just looked into amd overdrive, and that has the option for unlocking cores aswell, but it didnt work...I reakon its something to do with the bios asus are using.

what overclock have you had outta yours?

Its_Me · 18 Jun 2009 at 20:18

Just finished stress testing at 3.8Ghz 1.4v , so looks like they ramp fairly well with vcore.
Temps still ~36°c underload atm (this is out by about 20°c IMO)

Balb0wa · 19 Jun 2009 at 16:46

having fun with mine

lukext · 19 Jun 2009 at 21:29

:O seriously, your one lucky guy, a dual core chip that unlocks to a quad core is enough, but for it to go to just under 4Ghz too, jeez.

What are you using to cool it and is it stable (prime)

Balb0wa · 19 Jun 2009 at 21:31

lukext said:
:O seriously, your one lucky guy, a dual core chip that unlocks to a quad core is enough, but for it to go to just under 4Ghz too, jeez.

What are you using to cool it and is it stable (prime)

yes its prime stable. im using a sunbeam core contact cooler, thinking of going watercooled, something ive never done before.

i bought 3 of these chips, 1 was cack, 2 were great.

lukext · 20 Jun 2009 at 10:53

what temps are you hitting (load and idle) ?

Balb0wa · 20 Jun 2009 at 10:58

lukext said:
what temps are you hitting (load and idle) ?

varys, idles about 34, under load about 57 ish

raptormonkey · 20 Jun 2009 at 14:20

Stll can't decide if this is a worthwhile CPU. Figures on paper look good. Do i need the extra cores if the CPU can be unlocked? Will it perform vastly better than the 250?

lukext · 20 Jun 2009 at 15:35

£65 for the 250 or £80 for the 550. For that £15 you get an extra 100Mhz and an unlocked multiplier. im my opinion, thats a good deal. the unlocked multi makes overclocking so easy which these 550 chips appear to do quite well. Your getting a lot of chip for £80 and then add to possibility of unlocking to a quad, and its a little gem.

go for the 550

What mobo you got raptormonkey?

raptormonkey · 20 Jun 2009 at 15:39

Not got one yet. Been looking at the Biostar TA790GX XE

jigger · 20 Jun 2009 at 15:54

Looking at some off the CPU-Z shots it says the package is AM2+ is this correct ?

And what would be the equivalent quad core ? would it be the phenom II 940 ?

Sorry for the odd questions, toying with the idea of getting one and trying it in a DFI NF590 SLI board

Balb0wa · 20 Jun 2009 at 16:57

these fit am2 or am3 with ddr3 etc

Its_Me · 20 Jun 2009 at 17:36

jigger said:
Looking at some off the CPU-Z shots it says the package is AM2+ is this correct ?

And what would be the equivalent quad core ? would it be the phenom II 940 ?

Sorry for the odd questions, toying with the idea of getting one and trying it in a DFI NF590 SLI board

If you get one that unlocks and is stable at the stock 3.1Ghz, then you could consider it a little faster then a 940.
If would be between the 940 and 955.

Its_Me · 20 Jun 2009 at 17:39

raptormonkey said:
Stll can't decide if this is a worthwhile CPU. Figures on paper look good. Do i need the extra cores if the CPU can be unlocked? Will it perform vastly better than the 250?

This a no-brainer surely.
Its worth £15 as lukext has already explained.
Even if you just leave everythign Auto including the cool & quiet on, you can just dial in and extra full multiplier or two for >£15 performance.