AMD Phenom II X3 -> X4 users, Unite!

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
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Keysplayr2003 had the good idea of making a thread that keeps track of the unlocking success of the Phenom II X3 CPU's.

So, what we need from you is:

Week/batch #
Motherboard used and BIOS version or date
Overclock, if any, and Vcore

Please post or PM your info. And, please, let's keep the Intel vs AMD debate out of here. :)

Thanks! :)

General discussion regarding the PhII X3 is here: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2280541&enterthread=y

me: unlocked X3 710, CACZC AC 0904CPAW, Biostar TA790GX 128M (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 3.4Ghz 1.475v, BIOS 1/13/2009

keys: unlocked X3 720BE, CACZC AC 0904DPCW, GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 3.2Ghz 1.325v, rev 1.0 BIOS ver. F1

deimos3428: unlocked X3 710, unknown batch, Asrock 790GX/128M (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 2.99Ghz@1.3375v, BIOS v1.4

jmanny: unlocked X3 720BE, 0851, ASRock AOD 790GX 128 (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 3.5Ghz 1.46v

flptrnkng: unlocked X3 710, CACZC AC 0906BPMW, Biostar TA790GX (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 3 Ghz, stock core/voltage, BIOS 1/13/2009

jrenna: X3 710, 4th core not stable, 0906, Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-UD4H (AM2+, 790GX/SB750)

GrimmRimmer: unlocked X3 710, CACZC AC 0904DPEW, Biostar TA790GX 128M (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) Stock speed/voltage, BIOS 1/13/2009

smoove910: unlocked X3 720BE, CACZC AC 0904EPMW, Biostar TA790GX XE (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 3.5Ghz 1.45v. BIOS is A78CM113.BST

dafoomie: unlocked X3 720BE, CACZC AC 0904EPMW, Biostar TA790GX 128M (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 3.4Ghz 1.36v.

Summer: unlocked X3 720BE, 0904EPMW, Asrock AOD790GX/128M (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 3.5Ghz 1.4375v.

redmist: X3 720BE, 4th core not unlockable, Gigabyte MA790X-UD4P

jrenna: X3 710, 4th core not stable, 0906, Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-UD4H
 

konakona

Diamond Member
May 6, 2004
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just to be sure, you can only read this off the IHS of the CPU right? If so, mine is gone unfortunately :(
 

deimos3428

Senior member
Mar 6, 2009
697
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I'm totally new to overclocking, so please bear with me. I mostly followed Flipped Gazelle's lead after reading the previous thread. Sadly, I don't know the CPU batch. Is there anyway to find this without taking the cooler off?

unlocked X3 710, AOD790GX/128M (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 2.99Ghz@1.3375v, BIOS v1.4

I haven't the patience of some of you guys, but so far I managed stable for 1 hour w/OCCT, with no changes to HT/NB/RAM. CPU stablized at about 55 C. I couldn't go higher, because more voltage=more heat, and I didn't want to turn my case fan off "low". :D

One thing that might help people with this particular mobo, at least if you're new to this: The default CPU/NB voltage is set to 1.2v. This works with three cores, but is too low for four, even at stock clock. OCCT quacks out almost immediately. I found 1.3v works for stock.

 

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
6,666
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Originally posted by: deimos3428
I'm totally new to overclocking, so please bear with me. I mostly followed Flipped Gazelle's lead after reading the previous thread. Sadly, I don't know the CPU batch. Is there anyway to find this without taking the cooler off?

unlocked X3 710, AOD790GX/128M (AM2+, 790GX/SB750) 2.99Ghz@1.3375v, BIOS v1.4

I haven't the patience of some of you guys, but so far I managed stable for 1 hour w/OCCT, with no changes to HT/NB/RAM. CPU stablized at about 55 C. I couldn't go higher, because more voltage=more heat, and I didn't want to turn my case fan off "low". :D

One thing that might help people with this particular mobo, at least if you're new to this: The default CPU/NB voltage is set to 1.2v. This works with three cores, but is too low for four, even at stock clock. OCCT quacks out almost immediately. I found 1.3v works for stock.

Unfortunately, the only way to know the CPU's batch # is to remove the cooler.

Interesting about the NB voltage. I had no issues while testing at 1.2v, but I've been running it at 1.3v anyway.

Thanks for providing your info! :)
 
Mar 4, 2009
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I heard the X3 720's cooler isnt all that great. so Im wondering what coolers you guys are using and what are your load, idle and ambient temps?

the fan that came with my x2 6000+ actually got an excellent review, its considered to be better than a lot of the aftermarket coolers at its time, I was wondering, think I should just stick with this cooler and use it on the 720? right now its got my cores at 20/30C with CnQ on and my rooms temps are around 27C...
heres its review http://www.frostytech.com/arti...iew.cfm?articleID=1962

this stock cooler works better than this http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835200025 cooler, ive actually tested it 2 different times with 2 different types of cooler paste.

 

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
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The cooler on the 710/720 is just a plain aluminum one, no heatpipes, but pretty good for an oem, IMO. But I think yours is definitely better than that.
 
Mar 4, 2009
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its pretty shitty for amd to ship their new cpus with coolers that are not as good as x2 coolers but instead they just ship coolers that "are good enough" to get by.
I guess they figure because their new 45nm technology and running at 95W, they run much cooler so they can get away with shipping "so so" coolers.


the single most annoying thing for me when building a new computer is finding the right cpu cooler, i can go wrong in so many ways.
 

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
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Originally posted by: Redmist
its pretty shitty for amd to ship their new cpus with coolers that are not as good as x2 coolers but instead they just ship coolers that "are good enough" to get by.
I guess they figure because their new 45nm technology and running at 95W, they run much cooler so they can get away with shipping "so so" coolers.


the single most annoying thing for me when building a new computer is finding the right cpu cooler, i can go wrong in so many ways.

Actually, the coolers shipped with the lesser X2's are not near as good as yours, or even what comes with the X3.

I'm currrently using the stock cooler with my X3, and I have the 4th core going and a 600mhz overclock.
 
Mar 4, 2009
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if you were to buy a new cooler for your x3 710 unlocked 4th core and 600mhz overclock (which is sweet btw) which one would you choose?
 

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
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Originally posted by: Redmist
if you were to buy a new cooler for your x3 710 unlocked 4th core and 600mhz overclock (which is sweet btw) which one would you choose?

Depends on what your priorities are. I'm looking for relatively cheap and quiet. I have 2 new coolers on the way, the SilenX IXC-120HA2 and the CooLink Silentator. I bought both of them from an individual in the FS/T forum. I'll use one and give the other one to my brother. I'll also hope for a little more overclocking goodness... ;)
 

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
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Originally posted by: Redmist
I was looking at this cooler here http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835103057

but im wondering, will it fit this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811133074 ? without having to remove the side panel fan?

I want a good cooler, noise level is not a problem for me. I was looking to spend only $30 for a cooler but that cooler master looks wicked.
oh this cooler will be for a PII X3 720 BE.

I would *guess* that the cooler would fit. My case has a side 250mm fan, and an Arctic Freezer 64 Pro, which is of similar height to the cooler you've selected, fit just fine. You may want to ask this question in the "Cases & Cooling" thread, though.
 

jmanny

Member
Apr 12, 2007
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0
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Batch: 0851...can't give you any more than that, I'm not taking it apart
Motherboard: ASRock AOD 790GX 128
Fourth unlocked, OC to 3.5
1.46v
 

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,211
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I have the case Redmist is thinking of getting. It has a 230mm side intake door fan, a 230mm "roof"exhaust fan, 120mm HDD intake and a 120mm rear panel exhaust. Well balanced. The door fan was actually a bit noisy for some reason, so I wired it for 5v to slow it down. Still pushes a lot of air. As for the dust, you can't get away without getting dust in any computer, so no big deal. It just has to be blown out a little more often because so much air is being moved through the case, you're going to get that much more dust.
It can always be filtered, but this cuts down on air flow.

The case also has a cutout "under" the motherboard on the right door panel and mobo mounting panel for a 80mm fan to move air beneath the motherboard. Cool. Literally.
 

hans007

Lifer
Feb 1, 2000
20,212
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Originally posted by: Redmist
its pretty shitty for amd to ship their new cpus with coolers that are not as good as x2 coolers but instead they just ship coolers that "are good enough" to get by.
I guess they figure because their new 45nm technology and running at 95W, they run much cooler so they can get away with shipping "so so" coolers.


the single most annoying thing for me when building a new computer is finding the right cpu cooler, i can go wrong in so many ways.

well..

why would they ship more cooler than is needed? they expect these to be run at the stock clocks, and its enough.

intel did the same thing when they shipped the half size aluminum coolers with all their 45nm cpus.

 

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
6,666
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Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Your case has a 250mm fan. What. Can you say "dust in my pc"?

Dussst inn myy Pee See

Actually, the dust isn't bad at all - less than when I had a setup with a faster 120mm fan. Most of the dust/dust bunnies get caught in the mesh. I vacuum the house once or twice a week.
 

konakona

Diamond Member
May 6, 2004
6,285
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heh looks like I am the only that didn't get lucky enough to unlock it without side effects :(
I am in the final process of trying to find the optimal speed. 240x13 is rock stable at v1.425, 245 and anything in between is a bit flaky at 1.525v.
Biostar TA790GX 128M with the latest version of the BIOS with an unknown batch of the CPU, unfortunately :(
 

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
6,666
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Originally posted by: konakona
heh looks like I am the only that didn't get lucky enough to unlock it without side effects :(
I am in the final process of trying to find the optimal speed. 240x13 is rock stable at v1.425, 245 and anything in between is a bit flaky at 1.525v.
Biostar TA790GX 128M with the latest version of the BIOS with an unknown batch of the CPU, unfortunately :(

Look on the bright side - some software, including a lot of games, will really benefit from the greater core/L3 cache you have with running 3 cores. :)
 

topjimmy

Member
Nov 1, 2005
68
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I am planning on upgrading to this set up, not sure if it will be worth doing it.

Here is my current setup
AMD Opteron 160@2.6mghz
2g OCZ ram (limited my OC) ddr

On a dfi LP-UT.

I thought about just getting two more gigs of ram, about $60 ,

The new set up is about $240

Biostar MB, PhenII 720, 4g of OCZ reaper ddr2 Worth the upgrade or maybe just wait until ddr3 is more mainstream and there are more MBs to support it?

Later
JimC
 

poohbear

Platinum Member
Mar 11, 2003
2,284
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u sure u can get 4gb ram running on ur DFI lp? i couldnt get my dfi expert run 4 dimms even @ stock.:(