AMD Phenom II x2 550 Overclock

[T002 Tyrant]

A few enquirers really.

I have an AMD Phenom II x2 550. The 3rd and 4th locked cores are defective because the computer wont even respond when the BIOS restarts. I have overclocked my CPU up to 3.5Ghz, however when I reverted back to the normal 3.1Ghz I noticed that my CPU benchmark is 100 points less than what it was before, do you think the overclock had damaged the CPU slightly?

I have a LOKI aircooling system which keeps things at 37 resting, and nothing above 47 when strained (at 3.1Ghz). I've also noticed going back to the overclock, i can't reach anywhere near the benchmark I got when i first overclocked it. Again thinking I've damaged the chip slightly.

My questions are

0) Have I damaged my CPU?
1) Is the AMD Phenom II x2 550 even worth overclocking?
2) If so what is the safest multiplier setting, I can push it to 17x/17.5, but 18 is just too far. Still with anyone with experience of a 550 (not black edition) with overclocking that would be appreciated
3) Do I get disable any settings like cool n' quiet etc to get a stable overclock?
4) How do I alter the voltage on my MSI 770 G-45 motherboard for overclocking? It seems to be locked out on AUTO, no matter what setting I fiddle with
5) Or do I just save up every penny I earn to buy an AMD Athlon II x3 450, unlock the cores and overclock (and try and sell my Phenom II), or buy a Phenom II x4 965 and unlock/overclock that? Both fit on my motherboard's AM3 socket. Advice on what processor you think is better value for money would be great.

 

[fudoken]

can you post your full system details please

0) i don't think so these chip are build like tanks, i had my oc'd ot 3.8 for 3 years at 1.52 volts
1) yes very much http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18430349
2) if you can change your multiplier it's the black edition, non BE can't been changed
3) i think mine is still running give me 5mins and i will take a look
4) is your mobo oem or retail? if it's retail just press +

if you need any help just ask

 

[T002 Tyrant]

can you post your full system details please

0) i don't think so these chip are build like tanks, i had my oc'd ot 3.8 for 3 years at 1.52 volts
1) yes very much http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18430349
2) if you can change your multiplier it's the black edition, non BE can't been changed
3) i think mine is still running give me 5mins and i will take a look
4) is your mobo oem or retail? if it's retail just press +

if you need any help just ask

It must be OEM, because pressing + and - does nothing, it just has a grey [auto]

I'm using AMD Overdrive at the 18.5 seems pretty stable at 1.49v I may try your 19x at 1.52 though. However I'd like to alter it via BIOS, unfortunately doesn't look like it can

Oh and My full specs

Um

- MSI 770 G45 gaming series Motherboard
- AMD Phenom II x2 550 (with Loki SD963 heatsink)
- AMD Radeon HD 6870
- 8 GB DDR3 RAM
- 2TB HDD
- 1 PCI Generic 54Mb/s Wireless
- 1 PCI Generic Firewire card

 

[fudoken]

hummm ... i just checked the mobo spec and you should be able to change it, have you flashed the bios?

 

[T002 Tyrant]

hummm ... i just checked the mobo spec and you should be able to change it, have you flashed the bios?

Is that in updated it via flash drive? If so, then no. If you mean have I exposed my genitalia to the motherboard then no, no I haven't by by god I will if it means I can get a good/stable overclock on this thing

 

[fudoken]

lol you dirty b*****d

yep just make sure you download the right one

 

[T002 Tyrant]

lol you dirty b*****d

yep just make sure you download the right one

xD

Ok from this http://uk.msi.com/product/mb/770-G45.html#/?div=BIOS I presume it's only one of these, and I assume it's the one that says version 10.8?

 

[iTek]

You should have an option in the BIOS to set manual settings? I know the cheapo Asrock boards the option is below where it actually is expected to be.

 

[fudoken]

yep just extract the files and cut and paste on to a usb, then reboot>bios>m-flash>m-flash function as (usb) and select AFUD4310 file

 

[fudoken]

You should have an option in the BIOS to set manual settings? I know the cheapo Asrock boards the option is below where it actually is expected to be.

you should be able to my mobo had the first version and i could acceses it ... it's a bit weird , so i think it's his best bet right now, some for the bios did move about and get renamed on mine so that might help

 

[T002 Tyrant]

you should be able to my mobo had the first version and i could access it ... it's a bit weird , so i think it's his best bet right now, some for the bios did move about and get renamed on mine so that might help

Nope nothing, Nada, I finally managed to Flash it, and I've tried enabling and disabling every option to see if it allowed me to. However Auto remains permanently locked, which is very frustrating, because it enables me to do everything like adjust the FSB frequency, the multiplier and even unlock the cores, but still no voltage adjustment

EDIT: Good News everyone, turns out when I used another keyboard (one that had a num pad) I could press + or minus, horray! I'm now running smoothly at 3.7Ghz with an average benchmark (out of 3 tests) is 2491.2, compared to the average benchmark of the Phenom IIx2 550 that's over 800 marks higher! A very happy bunny

 

[fudoken]

nice one have you tried to unlocked the other cores yet ?