Do CPUs get partially disabled like a GPU?

[Upgrayedd]

for example some GPUs are partially disabled resulting is less performance from the same die like how the RTX 2070 Super is a gimped version of the fully enabled 2080 Super made from the same dies.

I am wanting to figure out which recent CPUs are fully enabled and if there any that are partially disabled. I was mainly interested in HEDT. Thanks

 

[GoldenX]

Yes, practically any mid or low end model is a CPU with something disabled, with the exception of some very low end models that are just designed that small. For example, the mobile Celeron and Pentium CPUs are full Atoms, nothing cut, but the desktop variants are cut down i3s.

Don't look if a CPU has cores disabled or not, get the best one you can, for what you need it, with your budget.

 

[Toothless]

Yes.

I used to know an Intel employee and he explained how the skus for the Haswell series went. If a 4790k can't do it's HT, it would be a 4690k. If a 4690k can't pull all 4 cores it'll be an i3 or less.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Yes.

I used to know an Intel employee and he explained how the skus for the Haswell series went. If a 4790k can't do it's HT, it would be a 4690k. If a 4690k can't pull all 4 cores it'll be an i3 or less.

The enabling of virtual threads is just virtual though right? There is no physical hardware being disabled there?

Yes, practically any mid or low end model is a CPU with something disabled, with the exception of some very low end models that are just designed that small. For example, the mobile Celeron and Pentium CPUs are full Atoms, nothing cut, but the desktop variants are cut down i3s.

Don't look if a CPU has cores disabled or not, get the best one you can, for what you need it, with your budget.

Was interested in the higher end, thats why I said HEDT. Thanks but I'm not here for build advice just education.

 

[GoldenX]

The only full one on HEDT is the top one, except on Threadripper, where a lower one is a full design with less modules.

 

[eidairaman1]

AMD, Epyc-Threadripper-Ryzen

 

[Toothless]

The enabling of virtual threads is just virtual though right? There is no physical hardware being disabled there?

If it's threads, I don't think there is anything physical there. Sometimes a chip just can't run extra threads for whatever reason.

 

[dorsetknob]

Both Intel and AMD use a process known as binning
where chips are assessed for functionality
and then allocated a SKU Depending what functions on the Die.

Some examples from previous generations
AMD X3 >>> a 4 core CPU with one core Disabled ( and sometimes able to function by bios change Reliability varied from CPU to CPU)
Intel binned Pentiums to Celerons if the Cache was defective ( not known to be modded ie laser cut on Die ).

CPU's Are Binned to maximise cost/profit as they are all made from same wafer and binning reduces wafer waste

 

[eidairaman1]

If it's threads, I don't think there is anything physical there. Sometimes a chip just can't run extra threads for whatever reason.

Physical defect in a proprietary area of the cpu that allows it to work correctly.

 

[natr0n]

Thats how the cpu/gpu business works disable something on a chip for whatever reason and sell it.

 

[newtekie1]

If it's threads, I don't think there is anything physical there. Sometimes a chip just can't run extra threads for whatever reason.

There is phsyical hardware on the chip that allows HT.

The only full one on HEDT is the top one, except on Threadripper, where a lower one is a full design with less modules.

Theadripper uses cut down cores too. The 1950x was two 16 core chips fully enabled, the 1920x had two 16 core chips with 4 cores on each chip disabled.

 

[TheMadDutchDude]

I think you mean two 8 core CPU dies in that instance. They didn’t make 16 core dies on first gen Ryzen.

 

[Bill_Bright]

This is actually a common practice and has been going on for decades, and not just with processors.

I first learned about it in the late 70s when I was lucky enough to visit a BASF floppy disk factory when I was TDY (temporary duty) in Germany. They started out making every floppy disk as top-of-the-line DSDD (double sided - double density). Then, as they came off the production line, they were tested. If both sides of the disk passed density tests, they were labeled, packaged and marketed as top-of-the-line DSDD floppies - at top-of-the-line prices.

But if one side failed testing, or if the density tests failed, then they would be marketed as single sided (SSDD) or single density (SSSD) as applicable - for less money.

This practice allowed the company to prevent a total loss and get a little profit from the disk.

Same thing happens with processors. They may start out, for example, as quad core but if a core fails testing, that core may be disabled then the processor sold at a lower cost as a triple core processor to keep the production run from being a total loss.

Contrary to what some may think, it is NOT a gimmick to deceive consumers. Instead, it is a rather clever method to prevent total losses. If those floppies or processors that failed were trashed and destroyed with a total lost in investment and profits, the end result would be higher costs for you and me for the rest of the products.

So the practice is a good thing.

 

[GoldenX]

There is phsyical hardware on the chip that allows HT.



Theadripper uses cut down cores too. The 1950x was two 16 core chips fully enabled, the 1920x had two 16 core chips with 4 cores on each chip disabled.

What I mean is, the last X one is a full design, while the first WX is not.

 

[Upgrayedd]

So all of Intel's HEDT cpus from the 9800X through the 9960X are all cut from the 9980XE?

I understand businesses do it so they aren't trashing silicon that can still be used. I know the reasoning, I just want to know exactly which ones. Its easy to tell with GPUs because of the die name like TU104, TU106 etc. I know that the 2070 Super through the 2080 Super are all made form the same TU104. I want to learn the CPU equivalents.

I guess what I really want to see is a list of all current full die processors and their disabled versions.

 

[GoldenX]

Only the 9980XE is fully enabled.
Bad time to get one of those anyway, the 10th generation is just around the corner, at half the price.

 

[biffzinker]

This is actually a common practice and has been going on for decades, and not just with processors.

All the way back to the 286? A 386DX with a defect in the FPU would end up binned as a 386SX.

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

Lol. I remember disabled 3-core Phenom/II CPUs could be enabled to 4-core.

Quick question: why isn't this available now?

Why is AMD GPUs (at least in release) be able to flash to higher SKU? 390 to 390x, Fury to Fury X(?), 470 to 480, Vefa 56 to 64, RX 5700 to 5700 XT. I don't think I remember same practice in Nvidia like ever.

 

[newtekie1]

I think you mean two 8 core CPU dies in that instance. They didn’t make 16 core dies on first gen Ryzen.

Yeah, I meant two 8 core chips totally 16 cores. But my mind didn't send that to my fingers.

Lol. I remember disabled 3-core Phenom/II CPUs could be enabled to 4-core.

I still have a Phenom II 4-core that is unlocked to a 6-core. It was a good little chip!

I don't think I remember same practice in Nvidia like ever.

It happened on the nVidia side, just not as often because nVidia tended to use physical methods to disabled parts of their GPUs. But, for example, some GTX465 cards could be unlocked to GTX470 cards.

 

[Jism]

AMD X4 for example being sold as a X3 or X2 for that matter. With some luck they could be fully unlocked to a working X4 part.

But yes. GPU's get castrated in that matter as well. Proberly by a lasercut permanently disabling that part that is either defective or that part that offers the most out of one piece of sillicon.

If you look at the Vega 64 vs 56, i think the cutting of a 56 model gained better yields then for example a 60CU variant.

 

[Bill_Bright]

All the way back to the 286?

I am sure way before that - with the 8008 and even earlier with Texas Instrument ICs.

I can see it going back 100s of years. In lumber mills, for example, they may have set out to produce 12 foot planks but there were too many knots on one end. So they cut off the knotty end and sold it as an 8 foot plank and used the remaining 4 foot scrap to make something else. Then took the sawdust, mixed in a little glue and made pressed board.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

for example some GPUs are partially disabled resulting is less performance from the same die like how the RTX 2070 Super is a gimped version of the fully enabled 2080 Super made from the same dies.

I am wanting to figure out which recent CPUs are fully enabled and if there any that are partially disabled. I was mainly interested in HEDT. Thanks

Both main Cou vendors do things differently, but one thing is certain, the mist complete part without any defects is the most expensive.
It can also be argued that the cut parts could run better in some scenarios because a fully equipped epyc or threadripper or Intel equivalent will be clocked lower due to the heat output whereas the slightly defective part produces less heat and clocks higher.
As ever follow the money , use your common sense about what YOU WILL use it for.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Thanks for the purchasing advice everyone but I'm just here to learn lol

So all HEDT Intel cpus are cut from the same die. Interesting.

Still am trying to figure out exactly which dies are full dies and how far down their disabled parts go until a smaller die is used or something. Thanks everyone for the input so far.

 

[R-T-B]

AMD, Epyc-Threadripper-Ryzen

They do it too buddy.

 

[Shambles1980]

they all do it.