| Thursday, July 30 2009 |
When it first surfaced that some triple-core and dual-core AMD Phenom series processors could make their disabled cores available under special circumstances thanks to shoddy BIOS-coding associated with the Advanced Clock Calibration (ACC), the anomaly quickly transformed into a potential selling-point for AMD processors, that with the right motherboard, a cheaper AMD processor could be unlocked into a significantly powerful processor for the price. Although AMD made noise calling motherboard vendors to quickly isolate and fix the issue, months on, it hasn't been fixed even with AMD's newest desktop platform based on the AMD 785G+SB710 chipset. An almost deliberate precedent, one we can't have problem with.
Chinese website Coolaler.com has learned that MSI's newest AMD 785G motherboard, the 785GM-E65, can not only unlock the two disabled cores on the Phenom II X2 550, but also provide reasonable overclocking stability for the processor. Coolaler used a retail Phenom II X2 550 on the new motherboard, and simply set the ACC feature in the BIOS setup to "auto" (which enables it from the BIOS end). The system booted with all physical cores on the processor enabled, and allowed overclocking it to 3.609 GHz (18 x 200 MHz, 1.344 V). The chip was subjected to full-load using two instances of Orthos to test its stability, to which it emerged fairly stable.
Source: Coolaler
Chinese website Coolaler.com has learned that MSI's newest AMD 785G motherboard, the 785GM-E65, can not only unlock the two disabled cores on the Phenom II X2 550, but also provide reasonable overclocking stability for the processor. Coolaler used a retail Phenom II X2 550 on the new motherboard, and simply set the ACC feature in the BIOS setup to "auto" (which enables it from the BIOS end). The system booted with all physical cores on the processor enabled, and allowed overclocking it to 3.609 GHz (18 x 200 MHz, 1.344 V). The chip was subjected to full-load using two instances of Orthos to test its stability, to which it emerged fairly stable.
Source: Coolaler
User comments
Board looks cool. Good use of ports, and sweet feature of unlocking cores! I wonder if AMD will start lasering the cores now :(
PS: Sweet new avvy ;)
PS: Sweet new avvy ;)
what in the ? is that multi-colored PS2 port (for keyboard or mouse or both together)? and what is that black thing about the PS2 port?
PS2 port colors makes me wanna get this lol.
Dual color means it will work with either mouse or keyboard.
Above appears to be a V.92 modem port.
Above appears to be a V.92 modem port.
by: DanishDevilMore likely optical audio (TOSLINK) out.
Above appears to be a V.92 modem port.
I still don't think this is accidental. It's too easy to restore those cores.
by: mdm-adphAn evil scheme by AMD so that Quad-Core secretly take over, then 1 day we discover they aren't faulty and AMD transmits a secret signal that unlocks all 4 cores and says BITCHES ITS 4+ FROM NOW ON!
I still don't think this is accidental. It's too easy to restore those cores.
by: MrAlexlol, wish it were so
An evil scheme by AMD so that Quad-Core secretly take over, then 1 day we discover they aren't faulty and AMD transmits a secret signal that unlocks all 4 cores and says BITCHES ITS 4+ FROM NOW ON!
by: wolf2009Or maybe people know there's a chance to unlock 4 cores so it increases sales? :p
lol, wish it were so
by: DanishDevilI know :P :toast:
Dual color means it will work with either mouse or keyboard.
the disabled cores aren't 100% working....
strange things though...when doing the benchmark (3DMark, Cinebench, SuperPi, etc..) all 4 cores working smoothly, even when overclocking, but things turns ugly when doing just browsing...got random hangs...
maybe it's just the bios...dunno
1 thing for sure...you got another toy when buying X2 550 :D
strange things though...when doing the benchmark (3DMark, Cinebench, SuperPi, etc..) all 4 cores working smoothly, even when overclocking, but things turns ugly when doing just browsing...got random hangs...
maybe it's just the bios...dunno
1 thing for sure...you got another toy when buying X2 550 :D
why do they lock cores? if you can unlock them where is the point in locking them anyway?
im building the 785 for my brother (gygabyte) i like building for ppl cause me gets to test it!
by: mtosevthe chip they sell is the one supported by amd at the price and at the cores they release it at. period and yes u can unlock them (mobo companies doing) they arnt nesssary "locking them"
why do they lock cores? if can unlock them where is the point in locking them anyway?
If all dual cores were unlockable it would kill AMD. But allowing here and there. That is smart. Not killing the quad sales only improving the dual core ones.
it hasnt killed anythinng if anything it made the chips more popular. There is no now and then, they know they can do it. Plus the new 95w are on the way. After phenom series im sure they wont alow it. People who want there max everything will still go for 955 and 965. being able to unclock lower chips will just be a bonus for those who couldnt. AMD didnt formaly ask them to stop anything especialy with the upcoming chipset. why would they? its helping. watchng the market latley?
by: mamisanoI think you may be right. Either way, weird placement, though.
More likely optical audio (TOSLINK) out.
phenom x2 550 is one cheap quad! (j/k)
looks like a nice little board - and yes, thats a phone jack for a modem. Its not optical TOSLINK. Being an AMD chipset, they'll do digital audio via the HDMI.
by: MusselsNope. It's a toslink port. http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=754
looks like a nice little board - and yes, thats a phone jack for a modem. Its not optical TOSLINK. Being an AMD chipset, they'll do digital audio via the HDMI.
W00T! AMD, ATi & MSi are doing great!:rockout:
I see myself sticking with them for the foreseeable future!:D
I see myself sticking with them for the foreseeable future!:D
by: Wile E
Nope. It's a toslink port. http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=754
really?
It has no covery-flap thing.
edit: ah yeah, i can see it. its black, so it blends in. all the ones i've seen, we're grey (or detachable)
The BIOSTAR 785G+710 combo can unlock cores to, and even support a 6GHz+ OC to boot, but I like the more extensive rear port layout of this MSI one.
Looks good.
No, I don't think the core unlocking is an accident. Rather, I think it's a hole AMD is willing to leave open to attract enthusiasts and tweakers back to their crowd. Not something they'll advertise, for fear of misrepresentation, but definitely a quiet and purposeful gesture.
Also, no, I doubt they'll laser. Keep in mind that we don't know at what stage of production these things are diagnosed as being defective, not to mention the plausibility and more importantly the cost effectiveness of such a measure. Hell, AMD may not be cutting them simply to save a bit of cash on the process. They need to get rid of the defective cores one way or another anyway, so there's no point in intentionally crippling them any more than a fault in manufacturing already has.
No, I don't think the core unlocking is an accident. Rather, I think it's a hole AMD is willing to leave open to attract enthusiasts and tweakers back to their crowd. Not something they'll advertise, for fear of misrepresentation, but definitely a quiet and purposeful gesture.
Also, no, I doubt they'll laser. Keep in mind that we don't know at what stage of production these things are diagnosed as being defective, not to mention the plausibility and more importantly the cost effectiveness of such a measure. Hell, AMD may not be cutting them simply to save a bit of cash on the process. They need to get rid of the defective cores one way or another anyway, so there's no point in intentionally crippling them any more than a fault in manufacturing already has.
Id definitely grab this board if it allows unlocking and damn good oc's and stability.
wonder why it dont use a 8 pin connector :ohwell: