Unlocking AMD phenom x2

CharliePrynn · 1 Jan 2010 at 19:15

Hello.
This is my first post so bare with me.

I have a AMD phenom x2 Black Edition and I read somewhere that you can unlock another 2 cores. I also read that you have to have a compatible motherboard.
That is my question, is my motherboard and bios compatible, is there anything else I need to know about this procedure?

Thanks in advance.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H - motherboard - micro ATX - AMD 780G - Socket AM2+
Bios: BIOS Version/Date Award Software International, Inc. F5, 18/06/2008

Martini1991 · 1 Jan 2010 at 19:22

In your BIOS do you have ACC?
I think that it's only included in SB710+, your board has SB700.

CharliePrynn · 1 Jan 2010 at 19:47

Do I just look through all the options in my BIOS? or are they in a certain category?

Martini1991 · 1 Jan 2010 at 19:55

CharliePrynn said:
Do I just look through all the options in my BIOS? or are they in a certain category?

MB intelligent tweaker

CharliePrynn · 1 Jan 2010 at 20:09

Just check in the MB intelligent tweaker section, could not see ACC anywhere!
Damn.. Guess I'm out of luck!

Is it worth buying a new motherboard?
Or just overclock my CPU instead.

Martini1991 · 1 Jan 2010 at 20:20

If you bought a new mobo, you'd be able to unlock, and have better overclocking potential, it's upto you, a 785G AM2+ board would be a nice upgrade.

CharliePrynn · 1 Jan 2010 at 20:48

Any recommendations?
I only have £114.87 to my name!

Martini1991 · 1 Jan 2010 at 20:51

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-357-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1482

CharliePrynn · 1 Jan 2010 at 21:12

That looks like quite a good deal, really considering buying. Is it a big upgrade from my current motherboard!

Thank you so much for answering my questions BTW!!
Is there not a Rep or thanks thing on this forum?

Martini1991 · 1 Jan 2010 at 21:26

CharliePrynn said:
That looks like quite a good deal, really considering buying. Is it a big upgrade from my current motherboard!

Thank you so much for answering my questions BTW!!
Is there not a Rep or thanks thing on this forum?

There's a trust thing, but I think that's more for like trades etc etc, so people know if someone's reliable or not.
I'd deem it quite an improvement over your last board, although it says AM3, it's actually AM2+, I've worked with the DDR3 AM3 variant and unlocked my mates X2 550 fine.

CharliePrynn · 1 Jan 2010 at 21:47

That sounds good then, what kind of cooling would I need if i OC'ed the quad?

Martini1991 · 1 Jan 2010 at 21:52

CharliePrynn said:
That sounds good then, what kind of cooling would I need if i OC'ed the quad?

Focus on unlocking it first.
But a T.R.U.E, Corsair H50 or similar would be good coolers to have.

BIGBC · 1 Jan 2010 at 21:59

Bare in mind that unlocking cores is NOT a guaranteed thing. Which chip is it you have?

JazzMaverick · 1 Jan 2010 at 22:38

I've tried in vain to unlock an extra core or two on my 550 BE... i've read it is possible on my mobo [ MA720-US3 ] but it seems Gigabyte as pulled the bios that enabled Hybrid mode

.

Still a great processor tho.. got mine oc'd stable at 3.7 with a stock cooler.

CharliePrynn · 3 Jan 2010 at 03:23

I'm looking for someone now near watford - london that will try and unlock for me. I will give you some money to compensate for the time spent!

blaineoliver · 3 Jan 2010 at 10:04

Change to an older bios then.

CharliePrynn · 3 Jan 2010 at 17:47

My motherboard north and south bridge are sb700 I need sb710 Downgrading Bios would not really help.

BIGBC · 3 Jan 2010 at 19:39

Your only real option is to get a new motherboard then.

blaineoliver · 3 Jan 2010 at 22:51

My reply was regarding jazzmaverick and his bios problem.

JazzMaverick · 5 Jan 2010 at 01:49

blaineoliver said:
My reply was regarding jazzmaverick and his bios problem.

I've actually tried them all.. with no joy