Better overclocker: Phenom II X2 550 or Phenom II x3 720?

[thefreeaccount]

The Phenom II X2 550 and Phenom II x3 720 are roughly the same price. Is there any information on which is more likely to have functional "extra" cores or overclock to higher speeds?

 

[Hey Zeus]

Do not waste your money on that Dual Core X2

 

[Rhoxed]

Both chips are the same silicon, so max OC will be similar (slight advantage going to the 550 being a higher binned clocker)

The chances to unlock the chips seems to be about 50/50 either way, searching any forum nets in many 720 and 550 unlocks and also many people unhappy that theirs only worked as what AMD promised they would work at (stock)

The 550 is a bit cheaper and has a higher clockspeed, but the 720 guarantees the third core. (which to me was/is definately the deal breaker)

overall safe route is the 720BE, but if you want to save ~$10 and dont mind "just" a dual core then i guess the 550 is worth a shot.

 

[douglasb]

Do not waste your money on that Dual Core X2

I "wasted my money" on that x2 and got a chip that unlocked all 4 cores, plus overclocks to around 3.7 with no voltage increase. I haven't tried to push it higher, and am perfectly satisfied with it as a quad at stock (3.1 GHz). I'd say that the 550 is more likely to be a better overclocker, and odds are that at least one of the cores will unlock successfully, so it was worth the risk to me. Of course, I made my mind up beforehand that I would be perfectly satisfied if I only got a dual core x2 550 BE. So if you aren't OK with the prospect of neither core unlocking, go with the 720, where you'll be guaranteed at least 3 cores. But to answer your question, I'd say that the 550 will likely be the better overclocker, as it is binned higher.

 

[Alienwho]

My X3 720 I easily unlocked the 4th core and OC'd it to 3.6Ghz. Now that I have an i7 920 on the way I've designated the X3 to use as an HTPC and set it back to stock settings to try to save some heat and power.

 

[BD231]

Just a little common sense here for you op. Were the 550 a better performer than the 720, it would be called the 720 right?? The 720 wipes the floor with a 550 and this binning these ladies are arguing about accounts for at best a 100mhz differential.

We're talking about identical CPU cores, plus or minus a core. I have an older x3 720 sitting at 3.73ghz. What's more worthwhile, a third core at 3.7ghz, or an added 100mhz on the x2? Unlocking is hit or miss and you should never count on it.

 

[richierich1212]

dunno, my 550 unlocked just fine.

 

[codyray10]

dunno, my 550 unlocked just fine.

As did mine. I have been able to run stable at 3.7ghz. However, as others have stated, the unlock is not guaranteed and should not be expected. I "downgraded" from a Phenom X4 9850 to the X2 550 and I'm quite satisfied with it .

 

[heyheybooboo]

Can't really go wrong either way.

I've had great success unlocking both the 720 and 550 AND undervolting and overclocking them.

BUT ... I did a couple 720BEs the other day and one unlocked but didn't want to go above 3.22Ghz at 1.36v --- the other unlocked and would climb nearly 200MHz higher at 1.36v (with 10% cooler temps).

What was odd is that running the 'testy' one from above locked with 3 cores it would do 3.4Ghz at 1.25v. It was the exact opposite from above --- the other 720be which clocked higher unlocked maxed at 3.2GHz and 1.25v.




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[happy medium]

720's are 140$ now!. Go with the 620 x4 for 99$ shipped.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706

 

[frostedflakes]

Also have an X2 550 BE that unlocks to quad core fine (I don't overclock, but I undervolt it to 1.2V at 3.1GHz to reduce temps and noise). I think unlocking success rate is pretty high on all these chips (although you may end up having to give the extra core(s) a bit more voltage to maintain stability), but as others have mentioned, go in expecting either a dual or triple core and not quad, that way you aren't disappointed if you get unlucky and the unlocked cores aren't stable.

Or just grab the 620, I think they're supposed to be pretty good performers.

 

[heyheybooboo]

720's are 140$ now!. Go with the 620 x4 for 99$ shipped.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103706

Phenom 720BE - OEM: $110





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