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As power users, we sometimes forget how intimidating the BIOS can be to a new or inexperienced user. At the very least, a BIOS can be difficult to decipher, and that applies even if you're a seasoned vet. So why not skip the BIOS altogether? That's the approach MSI has taken with its AMD800 motherboard series, which allows users to unlock CPU cores without ever stepping foot into the BIOS.
"Because of this flexible BIOS core unlock feature, MSI can today announce that it made BIOS unlocking easy and accessible for the big audience who don't know their way into the BIOS screen," MSI said. "The new MSI software tool allows users to unlock CPU cores from Windows with just a few simple clicks, no need to enter the BIOS."
MSI is just one of several motherboard makers who have jumped on the AMD core unlocking bandwagon. It was discovered that some AMD tri- and quad-core processors have additional cores that could be unlocked, and as far as we know, MSI is the only one allowing this through Windows.
If you own one of MSI's AMD800 mainboards, you can download the unlocking software here.
Comments are closed on this article
Keith E. Whisman
May 20, 2010 at 1:31pm
AMD doesn't lockout cores for no reason they do it because one or more CPU cores on any given die doesn't pass Quality Control this is usually because the cores can't reach the operating frequency and temperatures without becoming unstable. Or one or more cores just won't work at all and that core brings the whole CPU down so they lock those cores out to keep them from being accessed by other assets on the chip and on the motherboard. For the price of a six core Phenom processor I'd just by the high end six core for less than $300bucks. Rather get six stable processors running at 3.2 GHZ with full L1, L2 and L3 Caches than get a CPU that you can unlock cores on that more that likely will bring system unstability problems.
If your building a basic system for non gaming then take the triple core and just leave it alone and don't unlock it because of the stability problems. Heck for web browsing you only need a single core. Free Cell works great on a single core celeron processor. LOL..
besides with a good triple core or even a six core processor you can put a high end graphics card to go along with 8 or more gigs of ram for a PC that will play games at high resolutions for literally years to come.
kevaskous
May 20, 2010 at 2:34pm
Actually It's done by lots, not one by one, that would take a millennium. Instead they test say 10 out of 100, and if the majority of those 10 fail then ALL are labeled as tri/dual. So no, this is a very good idea., as a vast majority of the tri and even the dual's work perfectly fine, they just get thrown in the few tested that most of where bad. Far -far- more likely to have a good one, then a bad one.
nosrsly
May 20, 2010 at 3:20pm
From what I've been told, the way that they lock cores usually ruins them, so the chances of getting a 2 or 3 core processor and unlocking cores without a problem is pretty low. That, and if you unlock a core and it causes system instability, you just voided your warranty, so that's something to consider. The best you can do at that point is see if you can relock the core and hope there wasn't any permanent damage done.
It's about as much of a good idea as any other overclocking or changing of a system beyond what it's rated for: if it works, hooray, but if it doesn't, you're hosed.
It really comes down to if you're a bad enough dude to screw up a new processor.
BAMT
May 20, 2010 at 1:16pm
"It was discovered that some AMD tri- and quad-core processors have additional cores that could be unlocked..."
I WANT ONE!!!!
Or is it supposed to be dual core?
routine
May 20, 2010 at 7:27am
I'm guessing you'd have to reboot for Windows to recognize the cores you've turned on.
