Are Bartons unlocked by Nforce2 board?

jacob0401

Platinum Member
Jul 31, 2001
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I know my XP 1700+ Thoroughbred has multiplier unlocked by the Nfroce 2, but I was wondering if the Bartons are also automatically unlocked in such a fashion?

Thanks
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
The older Bartons are unlocked (like my 2500+), but the new ones are definately locked. If you get a 2500+ and an NF7-S or similar board known for overclocking then the locked multiplier shouldn't really matter much.
 

BlueWeasel

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
15,944
475
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Generally, the 2500+ Bartons are locked after production week 39, and I am not sure if the higher end Bartons (ie, 2800+) are locked after the same week. However, as Monkey said, you'll probably be able to hit 3200+ speeds with a 2500+ if you've got a good board and RAM.

Granted, nothing is guaranteed. Take my 2500+ week 32 LOCKED Barton for example. :(
 

PCTweaker5

Banned
Jun 5, 2003
2,810
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Hey Weasel may I ask why you are running only at 2GHz on your barton? And are you running PC2700 along with that PC3200?
 

BlueWeasel

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
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475
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Originally posted by: PCTweaker5
Hey Weasel may I ask why you are running only at 2GHz on your barton? And are you running PC2700 along with that PC3200?

Well, I am running an early version of an Epox 8RDA Nforce2 that does not officially support a 200 FSB. The voltage on the NB is not adjustable and it really limits the ability to hit 200 FSB. My particular board needs a voltage modification for me to be able to run my 2500+ at 2.2ghz.

Currently running stable at 182x11 (2.01ghz) at stock voltage, so I am pretty sure I've still got lots of room in my chip. So it's either doing the modification or get a new board. I'll be doing either once I am ready for a speed boost. For right now, though, this 2500+ @ 182 FSB beats the hell out of my old XP2000+ @ 133 FSB and I am happy :)
 

suklee

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,575
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Blue, I had the exact same mobo (8RDA+.. one of the earliest revisions) and the danm thing wouldn't go over 181 FSB. Was never comfortable with doing soldering on my mobo , though I contemplated more than once :)

As mentioned, the general consensus will be that Bartons mfg'd after week 39 are superlocked, tho YMMV
 

TGHI

Senior member
Jan 13, 2004
227
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BTW - when the multiplier is locked, the chipset can't do anything about it. A locked chip is a locked chip. The only way to unlock it is to modify the chip itself (some AMDs could be unlocked by drawing a pencil line between the L1 and L2 bridges), and there are some mods that connected pins together. To my knowledge, no one has successfully unlocked a Barton core.


TGHI
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
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Close... only way to unlock them is though "powerNow".Look here But why... FSB is usually plenty with good XMS BLACK.
 

TGHI

Senior member
Jan 13, 2004
227
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Very interesting. Looks like a little more of a pain in the ass than drawing the pencil line, but not too bad (though they haven't got an Nforce2 board to work with it).



TGHI
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
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my 2500+ is unlocked on my NF2 board, and is indeed not running on the stock multiplier :D
 

xbassman

Golden Member
Feb 25, 2001
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Well I rec'd a 2500+ last week from NewEgg and tried changing the multiplier from 11 to 10 (just to see)
Heck I had to clear CMOS to POST after making that change.
Me thinks they're locked!

BTW- That was on a Nforce2 400 board.