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AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 550 3.10GHz Black Edition

Yes, i didnt realise you had one of those decent bios's that does that. My mistake for not reading properly. I guess i was just lucky with my 720 to get the last core, your unlucky to get both extra dies unusuable.
 
.. Just my luck i guess. Can't complain as it wasn't something i bought the chip for. Still, i'm able to overclock my 550 to 3.6 with only a slight voltage increase, so in that alone, it's a decent chip :)

(Thanks for clearing up things with me. I'm going to try it again tonight just to see if there's anything i can change that helps with the unlocking - if indeed it is possible)
 
Chiz said:
I'll try this tonight and let you know the outcome.

What exactly do the -2% -4% etc etc mean? Is this a measure of performance for the extra core?
Click to expand...

If you do this, make sure you reset your CMOS first.....

Just turning the 3rd or 4th core to zero, will make no difference if you have already set them to 2% via the 'Auto' setting.

So to clarify

1 Reset your CMOS

2 Go into ACC/NCC and set to 'Per Core'

3 Make sure you set it to the following..

Core 0 2%
Core 1 2%
Core 2 2%
Core 3 0% (Should already be at 0%, just leave it alone)

4 Reboot.

You now have a 720 x3 Triple core (if you have at least 1 extra core that is working, that is)

If this doesnt work, repeat steps 1-4, but leave Core 2 @ 0% and Core 3 @ 2%.

Basically your changing which core you use as the third one.....

If none of the above works, then you have a 550 with ONLY 2 working cores...which is a bummer..:(
 
Thanks for the steps :)

Should i underclock my system to the minimum before attempting the above? As i've read somewhere that sometimes the extra cores are set to run at a specific speed?

Can we just clarify what exactly resetting the CMOS before each attempt actually does?
 
Chiz said:
Thanks for the steps :)

Should i underclock my system to the minimum before attempting the above? As i've read somewhere that sometimes the extra cores are set to run at a specific speed?

Can we just clarify what exactly resetting the CMOS before each attempt actually does?
Click to expand...

CMOS reset will completely clear the BIOS of all previous changes, and it really is the ONLY sure fire way of doing it...and its the ONLY way to completely reset ACC/NCC settings...

You must do this....

Also, leave everything like CPU,memory,voltages at stock speed to begin with....just concentrate on getting a working extra core/cores first...
 
Ok.

Cheers for the pointers. I'll try this tonight and then report my findings. I'm 90% sure it's not going to work. Fingers crossed though!
 
I am also interested to see how it goes. Ive tried the same thing, and no joy. I didn't reset CMOS first though, although i did put everything back to default when i got the error message.

Mine is x2 550 and seems I can't unlock either....
 
Same resuts guys. Did exactly what was asked and when the bios saves and restarts, my pc powers down for a couple seconds, then starts up but i don't hear the usual beep on start up and nothing happens untill i restart again. When i do, the same fail message.

I think it's time to give up!!
 
:) I think i will. Can't be bothered messing around too much more to be honest. I'll probably end up breaking my remaining cores and then that'll be me screwed! :-P
 
I've managed to have it up to 3.6 on 1.375v. Ran Prime95 for about an hour before it crashed. Temp was around 40ish on the stock fan.

Will increase up to 1.425v but i need a half decent heatsink first.
 
Chiz said:
Same resuts guys. Did exactly what was asked and when the bios saves and restarts, my pc powers down for a couple seconds, then starts up but i don't hear the usual beep on start up and nothing happens untill i restart again. When i do, the same fail message.

I think it's time to give up!!
Click to expand...

How long do you give it when you restart after core unlocking?......

Because it takes 30-40secs of a black screen and whirring fans whilst my Pc 'does its thing' before it posts again.....the first time i did the core unlocks i thought id bust it..:( and had resigned myself to power down and visit OCUK for a new Processor....

To the uniniatied like me, it can seem as if its all gone horribly wrong.....
 
I've waited about a minute on each additional core. I think i may wait an additional 5 minute per core.

Again, i'll go try tonight and let everyone know :)
 
Same thing. I've given up. No chance of it working.

Now i need to switch boards as my bios doesn't load when i set my ram to it's highest speed 1066. GRRR!

Cheers for the tips and help though guys.
 
Chiz said:
Now i need to switch boards as my bios doesn't load when i set my ram to it's highest speed 1066. GRRR!
Click to expand...

Make sure your Ram voltage setting is at 2.1vlts...

After a CMOS reset, volts are turned down to 1.8vlts and 800Mhz Ram speed.

If you raise your Ram speed back upto 1066 without raising your volts, it wont post...

If your PC works with ram at 800mhz, it will just be the voltage setting in the BIOS causing the problem.
 
Cooper,

Yeah, i figured that out after seeing the datasheet for my ram. 2.2v is the tested and approved voltage for my ram. :)
 
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