AMD Dual-Core questions?

[pyrogx]

I am deciding between the AMD x2 560 and amd x4 955. I read the reviews on newegg for the dual core, and they all said "unlocked to quad core, yay!" What are my chances on having the extra two cores? Also, how much can the 560 as x2 be pushed as far as overclocking goes? The 955 can go max 4ghz on air, but the x2 unlocked to quad has been oc'ed to 4ghz on air.

 

[Zenthar]

You never know why this CPU was binned as an x2. It could be that there is 1-2 defective cores, it could be that it wasn't 100% stable when clocked at 3.3GHz (or could meet it with default voltage). If you are lucky, it could also be that AMD produced too many X4, but needed more X2 so they just "disabled" 2 cores. Same thing would apply for OC, you cannot assume that all CPUs of a given model will OC the same, some might actually be very limited.

My suggestion is therefore to buy what you need, the extra will be bonus.

There is a saying: if you can't afford to loose, you can't afford to win.

I prefer the demotivator version:

However, it doesn't really apply to this situation .

 

[jimmysmitty]

I would say 50/50. Its either you unlock it sucessfully or you don't.

I say go for the X4 955. Its a guranteed quad core yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hunter315]

The success rate is about 30-40% from the sounds of it, so not great, and far from a sure thing.

As far as overclocking potential, it depends on your board, cooler and why the chip got locked. If it had a core that needs more voltage you will end up with more heat and a lower overall OC, if it has a slightly leakier one that uses more power the OC should be about the same but there will be a lot more heat to deal with.

If you are doing stuff that will benefit from a quad, get a quad in the first place, dont hope to be one of the lucky ones who gets a 955 on the cheap, if you need it get it.

@Zenthar, i like the picture, i will have to save that one.

 

[chfireball]

get what you need/afford. I just upgraded and was in the same situation. I took the middle road with the AMD Phenom II X3 715 Black Edition.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103679[/url]
4th core unlocked and runs at 3.6ghz. I got lucky

 

[Zenthar]

@Zenthar, i like the picture, i will have to save that one.

Go visit the source website, they have tons of those

 

[englandr753]

What are you going for, 4 cores only or the extra cache? If you just want the 4 core config with decent OC ability then I'd go for an Athlon II 640 and OC that. I suggest that because it sounds to me you dont want to pay 160 plus to get the sure thing.

If that's the case then you will be much better off getting a stable 640 instead of a flakey unlocked dual/ triple core.

 

[pyrogx]

Best answer selected by pyrogx.

 

[jimmysmitty]

this mobo can unlock it

ASRock EXTREME3: AM3 770 SATA6Gb/s USB3.0 ATX

Can unlock and unlocking successfully without any instability are two completley different things. If it was really a CPU with a bad core or cache, etc, then it wont unlock stable.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey