BIOS Option Enables 4th Core on AMD Phenom II X3 710

jmke · 23rd February 2009, 10:33

Mobo: Biostar TA790GX (they said you can use any 790GX + SB700 mobo to unlock) Go to BIOS, modify Advance Clock Calibration to Auto. Now save the BIOS, restart and wait to see the magic...

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=218811

23rd February 2009, 13:19

If that means they are essentially selling working quadcores at X3 prices, AMD is doing it wrong again.

23rd February 2009, 13:24

It's better as selling nothing and believe it or not, this is common practice in many companies, even powerfull cars are sold as less powerfull simply by downtuning the engine controller.

//edit: btw, a tri-core might be a quadcore with a 'defective' (as in not passing the strict tests) core disabled

jmke · 23rd February 2009, 13:54

Quote:

But true, four cores as near as I can tell. Manually setting the CPU affinity while running SuperPI I can stress each core individually, I don't know what other tests I can perform to prove its quad corelyness.

There is of course a down side, even at 1GHz Prime95 on all cores fails, but with another chip, well, who knows ?

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...php?t=17977875

23rd February 2009, 14:35

As Wutske said, it is done in many situations, especially GPUs. Where do you think all those unlockable GPUs from years gone by came from, or how flashing a software BIOS magically upgrades a card's specs?

AMD has a certain number of defective CPUs they must sell as 3-core or 2-core parts. If their yields are TOO good and they lack sufficient defective chips, then they must cannibalize lower end chips in order to meet supplier demand.

They cannot simply decide to arbitrarily stop selling X3 CPUs just because they don't need to anymore. It requires channel notifications, EOL warnings, and the chance to allow suppliers to place final orders.

23rd February 2009, 15:31

The problem could be solved by making it an unofficial OEM SKU, accumulate a certain amount of them and then sell them as a whole batch.

23rd February 2009, 16:07

Why would an OEM buy a single, one-time batch of CPUs? It would not be cost effective for an OEM to design a product around a small quanitity of CPUs, or any other part just for one-time use.

Not saying they don't exist but I do not know of any "unofficial" OEM SKUs? OEM parts especially are required to have a specified level of market time before a CPU manufacturer can cease selling that SKU.

23rd February 2009, 17:28

You don't need a special product, just put it into an existing quadcore PC and sell it for less. For only one OEM supplies should be sufficent.

23rd February 2009, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutar

The problem could be solved by making it an unofficial OEM SKU, accumulate a certain amount of them and then sell them as a whole batch.

Intel might be in the position to do this, but AMD can't unfortunately

23rd February 2009, 10:33	#1
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,019	BIOS Option Enables 4th Core on AMD Phenom II X3 710 Mobo: Biostar TA790GX (they said you can use any 790GX + SB700 mobo to unlock) Go to BIOS, modify Advance Clock Calibration to Auto. Now save the BIOS, restart and wait to see the magic... http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=218811 Attached Thumbnails __________________

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23rd February 2009, 13:19	#2
Rutar Posts: n/a	If that means they are essentially selling working quadcores at X3 prices, AMD is doing it wrong again.

23rd February 2009, 13:24	#3
wutske Posts: n/a	It's better as selling nothing and believe it or not, this is common practice in many companies, even powerfull cars are sold as less powerfull simply by downtuning the engine controller. //edit: btw, a tri-core might be a quadcore with a 'defective' (as in not passing the strict tests) core disabled

23rd February 2009, 14:35	#5
Kougar Posts: n/a	As Wutske said, it is done in many situations, especially GPUs. Where do you think all those unlockable GPUs from years gone by came from, or how flashing a software BIOS magically upgrades a card's specs? AMD has a certain number of defective CPUs they must sell as 3-core or 2-core parts. If their yields are TOO good and they lack sufficient defective chips, then they must cannibalize lower end chips in order to meet supplier demand. They cannot simply decide to arbitrarily stop selling X3 CPUs just because they don't need to anymore. It requires channel notifications, EOL warnings, and the chance to allow suppliers to place final orders.

23rd February 2009, 15:31	#6
Rutar Posts: n/a	The problem could be solved by making it an unofficial OEM SKU, accumulate a certain amount of them and then sell them as a whole batch.

23rd February 2009, 16:07	#7
Kougar Posts: n/a	Why would an OEM buy a single, one-time batch of CPUs? It would not be cost effective for an OEM to design a product around a small quanitity of CPUs, or any other part just for one-time use. Not saying they don't exist but I do not know of any "unofficial" OEM SKUs? OEM parts especially are required to have a specified level of market time before a CPU manufacturer can cease selling that SKU.

23rd February 2009, 17:28	#8
Rutar Posts: n/a	You don't need a special product, just put it into an existing quadcore PC and sell it for less. For only one OEM supplies should be sufficent.