[:lectrocrew:9] [:lectrocrew:2]
someguy7 :
1. Not all of them unlock.
2. They will not be better than the 955/965. They will perform the same minus the temp sensors not working. The 955/965 are also the highest binned chips. They will overclock higher and use less volts.
3. It can be done with other chipsets besides the 790.
4. The board quality is irrelevant as far as unlocking goes. If it has the needed chipset and BIOS features it will work. Giving that cpu is unlockable. A better board will effect overclocking results but not the actual unlocking.
5. Yes. If you do a search you will see threads with people saying they couldn't unlock the chips as well. Giving that more posters will post when something doesn't work compared to those that have no problems.
In summary. They are good chips with a good chance of unlocking the other two cores which makes them even better. But there is a still a chance that you wont be able to unlock the cores. It is very simple to do with the right board/BIOS. If they do unlock you just got your self a x4 at a fraction of the price. Which is great. If they don't unlock you're stuck with a dual core. It is still a good chip for the price if it doesn't unlock but if your intentions was to get a quad core cpu....
Every chip I have used has unlocked BUB! All of them have OCd better than the 955 965 we have here in stock. Yes I did leave out the temp sensor problem...... ooops!
I build about 6-10 PII 550 or 555 systems a week!!! All have done as specified . I think the 555 would be a better choice the stepping of this chip is much better. I hear this stuff about not being able to unlock these chips almost makes me luagh. Im not saying that there arent some chips that wont unlock I just havent come across any AT ALL! That is on my end anyway....... I was only saying something about this topic because the OP asked!!! [:lectrocrew:2]
ANother thing is that yes it can be done with only one other chipset than the 790/750 the 770/710. Now is where we get into processors that dont unlock (its the board in these cases).... I have only had a handfull of procs unlock on 770/710 boards/chipsets. Then we take the same proc and stick it on a 790/750 board and voila it unlocks. Board quality is a factor as well when it comes to this magical process. Lower end boards seem to be VERY unstable and will not hold the OC very well and sometimes will even caused you to crash while th 3rd and 4th cores are active.... Again remove the same proc and put it on a QUALITY 790/750 board and voila it works correctly!
As an answer to the 5th satatement you made :
" 5. Yes. If you do a search you will see threads with people saying they couldn't unlock the chips as well. Giving that more posters will post when something doesn't work compared to those that have no problems. "
More posters will post when something goes wrong but in many cases this is what we call P.E.B.K.A.C. = Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair [:lectrocrew:9]