Q9550 lock or unlock

Hi everyone, recently i am thinking to buy a Core 2 Quad 9550 at 2.83Ghz with E0 stepping. I don't know whether the processor is locked or not???

If it is locked, can someone tell me how to unlock the processor???

Current build:

Asus Striker II formula

8GB ( 4 x 2GB of 1066MHz per stick) of CORSAIR TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF

3 of XFX NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 448bit 896MB DDR3

5 of 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 32M NCQ which make a space of 2.5TB of storage

2 of LG DVD +/_ RW in PATA and another in SATA which makes 3 DVD Burner

COOLER MASTER HAF RC-932 Full Tower Case

CORSAIR HX1000watts - Modular Cables

ZALMAN CNPS9700NT Heatsink Fan

MICROSOFT Windows Vista Ultimate SP1

I had already brought almost everything, what is left is the processor only.

The highest of processor that i can find in my area for Intel Quad is only Q9550.

The purpose:

OCing to 4Ghz.

Yep. Internal multiplier is locked at 8.5. You can lower it, but you cannot increase it.

The BIOS option for lowering the multiplier should be in the BIOS (Del, F8 any of those at boot, usually DEL though) under advanced settings or something like that, then CPU options and once everything isn't on Auto you can change it, it should be labeled "CPU Multiplier" for your convenience. Good luck If your cooling with air you'll want a pretty hefty cooler for 4Ghz on a quad. Maybe water is even a better option.

the multiplier is locked, but you can still overclock via the fsb. my 9550 goes to 3.8ghz at stock volts.

Thx to you all for the info but the base clock of Q9550 is 333 x 8.5 = 2830.5 or 2.83Ghz. Since the only way to OC to 4Ghz is to increase its base clock to 470 yields 4003.5 , what kinda of power voltage should i supplied to Q9550. I see some forums they OC the Q9550 at 3825.5 with 1.312V and another which is 3608.6 with 1.376V.

Should i following the steps???

1. Check the Stepping of the processor.

2. Set the starting voltage at 1.300V with the range of 0.099V.