If you’re a hardcore CPU tweaker (and by that we mean someone who uses LN2 or liquid helium on the bench), there's a good chance that you’ve already heard about the AMD Phenom II X4 TWKR chips.
For those not in the know, these processors are special Phenom II X4s that are hand-picked by AMD for maximum overclocking potential. Ironically, the fact they're high-leakage parts makes them less desirable to most other users. According to AMD, only about 100 TWKR processors exist in the world today.
To explain what makes these chips stand out, we'll defer to Team IRONMODS' Ton Khowdee.
“What makes these chips special is the fact that they are considered 'high leakage' parts. In this context, high leakage means that the processors 'leak' more current than a normal Phenom II CPU and consequently run hotter, which actually turns out to be a positive for the overclocking crowd (even if it means they're more likely to die an early death). They can take on more voltage and generally tend to scale higher when cooled with extreme methods, such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.”
Under extreme conditions, we were able to hit 6.4 GHz with 1.75 V. Out of the box, this processor boots at just 2 GHz. Click here to read our full picture story on Tom's Hardware's experience overclocking these binned components.
Currently, these chips aren’t for sale. In fact, right on the chip it reads "Not for Sale." But luckily, you’re reading Tom's Hardware, and we managed to secure a second pair of fresh new TWKR CPUs to give away! The contest runs from June 30, 2009 (12:01 am PST, GMT -8) through July 12, 2009 (11:59 pm PST, GMT -8). See the full contest rules here, including what you need to do in order to enter. Bear in mind that they run hot, they're less efficient, they aren't covered by a warranty, and consequently not intended for regular desktop users. In order to get the most out of these CPUs, you need to be running liquid nitrogen or helium on a test bench.
Best of luck in your entry, and check out the video.
