AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 720 Black Edition 2.8GHz unlocking the 4th core

[zootfloot]

I have just taken delivery of the following items...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-238-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1328

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-110-MS

Now my question is this, i have read that i should be able to unlock the 4th core using the setting in the bios, i have seen that the setting is there but havent adjusted anything yet, how likely is it that the 4th core is unlockable and usable/stable?

as far as i can make out the chip was manufactured 02/2009 if that has any relevance.

 

['Wes]

Not sure, i guess it's 50/50 on whether the motherboard is willing to play game, but even if you don't manage to unlock the 4th core, you still have a very good cpu, good luck though.

There is a Gigabyte UD5P version that has been the most popular with unlocking the 4th core, i don't think OCUK sells them, but the UD4P which OCUK sells has also been known to unlock the 4th core.

 

[zootfloot]

Yeah, i didnt buy the CPU on the chance that it may unlock, in all honesty i didnt know it was even possible until today.

Guess i will just have to give it a try then, if not then its still going up to 3.4GHz+ anyways

 

[Its_Me]

Take a look in the 550 thread, same idea.

 

[gamesaregood]

I think this is what you need

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=228417

 

[milkinc13]

Generally the 4th core was disabled for a reason and that being that it failed during manufacturing, and only a very small amount of tri cores are quads with 1 disabled.
The reason why AMD do this is to keep the stock of tri cores up and costs down.

 

[Its_Me]

Generally the 4th core was disabled for a reason and that being that it failed during manufacturing, and only a very small amount of tri cores are quads with 1 disabled.
The reason why AMD do this is to keep the stock of tri cores up and costs down.

yes and no.

When supply out strips the supply of (failed yields) then they will be technicaly crippled quads.
As the stepping revisions progress, the yields should increase, and this is the point that the chances of a good extra core avilable will be higher.
Exactly what is happening with 550BE atm.

 

[Balb0wa]

yep the 550BE is a super chip, ive bought 3, 2 are great at 3.8ghz on 4 cores, one is poop

 

[craig3000]

yep the 550BE is a super chip, ive bought 3, 2 are great at 3.8ghz on 4 cores, one is poop

You can unlock all 4 cores , nice!

Too bad my CPU doesn't need an upgrade just yet