AMD phenom x2 550 - Easy problem, I wish.

Hi,
I am looking for this CPU (which seem to be the best option for me) and I found some articles talking about hidden core?! They were claiming they can make their dual core into quad core while OCing... Can you help me on that?

the phenom x2 550 is sold as a 3.1 ghz dual core processor but it actually was created as a quad core and then two of the cores were disabled, on some mainboards which support advanced clock calibration it is possible to activate the cores wich were disabled, but the risk is that some of these quads wernt fully functional and some were, so some were disabled because of faulty cores and usually bluescreen or dont even post while others are unlocked overclocked and work flawlessly.

because its cheaper to make just one thing and modify it so you can sell it as different things, think about it this way, why is it that subway cuts a footlong in 2 if you order a six inch sub? why didnt they just make a six inch sandwich in the first place? because they would have to have two different dough molds baking the bread which would lead to an increase in baking prices. whereas someone just takes a nife cuts it in 2 ur happy theyre happy...

There are several lines of thought ... and AMD ain't talking.

1) AMD wants a product in a certain price point at a certain quantity and 'neuters' a standard chip to meet that demand;

2) The chip does not pass some design parameter or a core exhibits odd behavior and is neutered;

3) AMD just plain screwed-up and mobo manufacturers are not cooperating with BIOS lock-downs;

4) AMD is sending every single chip out the door in order to make money; and/or

5) AMD is just messin' with everyone to create a buzz.

Nice!
Can you tell me your OC performances?

What is your build?

the phenom can't support DDR3 Dual channel?
PSU 400W is enough o0? a sellor told me that I needed around 500-600W. If yes then it's a good news =).
What kind of game are you running on that build? Is it smooth?

For a demo system, I bought a cheap Logisys chasis with a 480w power supply. Its been running a Phenom II 940, 4gb of DDR2 1066mhz, 500gb SATA II HDD, DVD Burner, and Radeon HD 4770 512mb now for over a month. A neighborhood kid comes in and plays Crysis on it three hours at a time, three or four days a week. I think a 400w power supply would be sufficient for a basic system with onboard video. My demo is probably pushing this 480 to its limits.