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What does an "unlocked multiplier" mean?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Monkey_Business
  • Start date Start date
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Monkey_Business

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At the end of this month, I was planning on building a new gaming rig to replace my woeful Gateway FX6710-01 gaming desktop. I am putting a Phenom II X4 965 black edition CPU. I know that the black editions, as well as Intel's extreme editions, have unlocked multipliers. What does this mean exactly? How do I gain from this? Are multipliers used only in overclocking?

OT, but when do the 3.6 GHz Phenom II X4 975 processors come out?
 
It means you can set the cpu clock multiplier to pretty much whatever you want. For example, I had a 7750BE with an unlocked multiplier, and I could choose up to 35 (I think). Not that I would ever use a x35 multiplier... but I could if I wanted to.

Basically, it helps you push your cpu while not worrying about fsb limitations. For example, if you had a 1333fsb quad core with a low multiplier like 8, it would help to have an unlocked multiplier since your FSB is already at 333... so you can just push the multi to raise the cpu clock speed and nothing else.
 
A multiplier is just a number that is used in conjunction with the FSB of a CPU to get the clock speed. For example...

I have a 2GHz CPU my FSB is 200 and a locked multiplier that goes up to 10 - 200 x 10 = 2000MHz. I can only go lower with my multiplier as the highest is 10, however - with an unlocked CPU you can go up to whatever the limit easy.

Having an unlocked CPU makes things a lot easier than just using the FSB alone to OC. For example, say we have the same chip but without the multiplier lock and we can (theoretically) go 200 x 20 = 4000MHz (4GHz).

As for when the 975 is out I can't say sorry.
 
So an unlocked multiplier makes overclocking much easier?
 
Monkey_Business said:
So an unlocked multiplier makes overclocking much easier?
Click to expand...

It makes it so you don't have to increase the bus speed. Though most people are going to want to increase the bus speed to whatever they can anyway (higher frequency communication helps in benchmarks). These concerns are from back in the day when we didn't have such fast RAM. It's still more of a concern for AMD users because of the way the memory controller limits how fast you can set the bus speed.
 
Umm... it does?
 
I was really fooled by this: 'woeful Gateway FX6710-01 gaming desktop'

But I just looked at his specs.

He doesn't need to upgrade. Get a 5850 instead. Your CPU is powerful enough.
 
The AMD CPU won't work in that Intel based Gateway, you do know that Monkey?
 
DirectorC said:
I was really fooled by this: 'woeful Gateway FX6710-01 gaming desktop'

But I just looked at his specs.

He doesn't need to upgrade. Get a 5850 instead. Your CPU is powerful enough.
Click to expand...

Holy crap your right! Didn't bother to read his specs either.

Change the cooler on your cpu to something decent, over-clock it to 3.5ghz + ( easy on those chips, very easy) and get a new GPU and BAM your sorted.
 
InnocentCriminal said:
The AMD CPU won't work in that Intel based Gateway, you do know that Monkey?
Click to expand...

I'm building an entirely new PC. I have a CoolerMaster HAF 932 case in my closet. My new computer is going into it. I'll keep my gateway FX6710-01 in the other room. I'll have Three computers. Two desktops, and an old laptop.

Obviously I know that an AMD CPU won't work in an Intel motherboard.
 
But why bother, your rig is great! :S
 
Monkey_Business said:
I'm building an entirely new PC. I have a CoolerMaster HAF 932 case in my closet. My new computer is going into it. I'll keep my gateway FX6710-01 in the other room. I'll have Three computers. Two desktops, and an old laptop.

Obviously I know that an AMD CPU won't work in an Intel motherboard.
Click to expand...

Well you sound insulted :laugh:

It sounds weird though, you wanting to upgrade from a system that is really nice, but you won't be really getting an upgrade at all

A Radeon 5850/5870 and MAYBE a Q9550 is the best upgrade path for you. That is all you need to have one of THE most awesome builds around. Bar none, you don't need a PII or i5/i7.
 
Monkey_Business said:
Yeah, when it isn't constantly being repaired.

Can anyone explain why my HD 4850 runs 85 *C idle and 110 *C load? Even with the fan running 100%?
Click to expand...

It's defective and/or needs the heat compound replaced and heatsinks reseated.
 
Are you using the low profile card by any chance? they get hot as hell.

Your also in a MATX case so that can't be helping especially seeing as its an OEM one.

Put the gear you have in the HAF and watch temps insta drop.
 
Monkey_Business said:
I'm building an entirely new PC. I have a CoolerMaster HAF 932 case in my closet. My new computer is going into it. I'll keep my gateway FX6710-01 in the other room. I'll have Three computers. Two desktops, and an old laptop.

Obviously I know that an AMD CPU won't work in an Intel motherboard.
Click to expand...

Phew!

:rolleyes:

Make a worklog if any modding is involved (or not). Worklogs FTW!
 
I'd like to think that it's defective. The past 3 graphics cards I've owned over the past 8 years (9600 pro, 9800 XT X800 Pro) have all ran at similar temperatures. The most annoying part is that the fan is so loud, I have to play some games wearing headphones to hear them.
 
Monkey_Business said:
I'd like to think that it's defective. The past 3 graphics cards I've owned over the past 8 years (9600 pro, 9800 XT X800 Pro) have all ran at similar temperatures. The most annoying part is that the fan is so loud, I have to play some games wearing headphones to hear them.
Click to expand...
The older cards are built using some really out-date process by now. The are made to run warm.
The HD 4850 is built using the 55nm process which is more advance than many CPUs at its day.

I have first hand experience on switching cases,
and you won't believe how much a well designed Full Tower ATX case can do.
My HD 4850 IceQ 4 dropped 5C idle and 10C underload after I switch to my Raven.
 
I see you have a proprietary mATX case. It probably doesn't have any form of air intake, does it? Does it at least have an exhaust fan? Try removing the side cover and running it like that.
 
hat said:
I see you have a proprietary mATX case. It probably doesn't have any form of air intake, does it? Does it at least have an exhaust fan? Try removing the side cover and running it like that.
Click to expand...

I have, it didn't do anything.
 
Well then, just replace the motherboard and PSU my friend : ]

Put all hardware in the HAF you own and PROFIT!?

Also check that your system is not dusty etc.
 
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