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Demand for Phenom X3 CPUs Rises After User Reports Unlocking Fourth Core

Posted 02/26/09 at 09:46:06 AM  by Paul Lilly

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There has been some renewed excitement over AMD's triple-core Phenom X3 processors after at least one user claims to have been able to unlock the fourth core. The post appeared on Korean website Playwares.com backed by what appear to be legitimately looking screenshots. Using a Bisotar TA790GX motherboard, all it supposedly took was changing the "Advanced Clock Calibration" in the BIOS to 'Auto,' which reportedly unlocks the disabled core.

Citing un-named motherboard makers, DigiTimes says the report has caused an upsurge in demand for AMD's Phenom X3 chips. Those same sources also described the credibility of unlocking reports as very high, but cautioned that it might only apply to specific batches of CPUs and not the whole tri-core lineup.

Not surprisingly, AMD isn't commenting on whether or not the disabled cores can be re-enabled. And until we see it for ourselves or from a reputable source, we remain skeptical that it can be done.

Image Credit: Playwares.com

COMMENTS:7
TAGS: amd, cpu, processor, hardware, tri-core, build a pc, triple-core
COMMENTS
avatarI first read it on Tom's

Submitted by brokenmoth08 on Tue, 03/03/2009 - 10:58am

I first read it on Tom's Hardware and from what the entry said it sounded like the writer did it.

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avatarThis story does have some credibility

Submitted by mikeart03a on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 1:17pm

This story does have some credibility as a friend of mine was able to do it using his Asus board as well (model escapes me as Asus has too many freaking models), but it appears to be a random chance scenario. I wouldn't hope that all X3 Phenoms are able to get the 4th core to work.

However, you risk system instability with this tweak as the fourth core is damaged/bad. Let's just say that the fourth core doesn't do so well under a heavy load...

- mike_art03a
IT Technician
Gov't of Canada

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avatarUmmmmm

Submitted by GreenTurtle on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 11:39am

Don't they disable the fourth core because it's no good anyway? How stable is the system after they enable it? also is there any real performance gain compared to a legit quad core?

 So many questions and I'm sure....no answers. I agree, most likely fake.

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avatardemand for phenoms?

Submitted by N25PHILLY on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 9:21am

clearly this article is fake

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avatarRemain skeptical?

Submitted by routine on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 8:35am

Remain skeptical? Why not just try it? Isn't that what I pay you guys for?

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avatarI have tried

Submitted by wicked72 on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 9:19am

I bought a ASUSModelM4A79T Deluxe

AMD|PH II X3 720 BK  CPU and On NewEggs customer reviews someone reported that they did it. I set my bios to ACC and I didnt see the 4th core in XP or CPU-z.

here is the post from NewEgg "

Unlocked to a X4

Pros: Set ACC in BIOS to auto and BAM! I now have a Quad-Core CPU. Overclocked to 3.2Ghz at stock volts/stock fan. 28C Idle 40C full load.

Cons: Stock fan

Other Thoughts: Upgraded to a Quad just by changing a setting in the BIOS. "

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avatarthe "tester" used a Korean

Submitted by nekollx on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 9:15am

the "tester" used a Korean board for a specific manufacturer. It's goign to take more then a day for a US based company to find a Stateside match.

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