can one of the core of C2D fail and the chip still operate?

[lettcco]

I have my E4300 on my GA-P35-DS3P for ~2years now and I just notice that my taskmgr/device manager only 1 core is showing up. I reinstall a fresh Vista and still same thing. I even boot into linux with a liveCD and also found that only one core is operational. I don't think there is any bios setting that could disable a core, so that could only mean either the motherboard or the CPU is the culprit. Though I am surprised if it's the CPU that it could still POST as if nothing is wrong. Any one has any theory on this? thanks.

update: replaced the e4300 with e5200, immediately see both core is alive again. So my assumption was correct...one core can die and the chip is still operational.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I've seen it happen. Do you have another machine to test the cpu in?

 

[lettcco]

unfortunately no. But I think I am about to run out to frys and pick up a E8500 combo to test it out, so I will report back.

 

[lettcco]

I was hoping you guys would have the answer already...but I guess it doesn't matter now. For those who have the same problem and stumble upon this thread, if you try the msconfig/hal.dll enable trick and it didn't do it for you, chances are one of your core is dead. The computer will still works fine but you will not be able to do heavy computing/gaming.

 

[Fox5]

One of my friends had this happen to him with his Athlon X2. Definitely weird, not something I'd expect to see.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Originally posted by: lettcco
I was hoping you guys would have the answer already...but I guess it doesn't matter now. For those who have the same problem and stumble upon this thread, if you try the msconfig/hal.dll enable trick and it didn't do it for you, chances are one of your core is dead. The computer will still works fine but you will not be able to do heavy computing/gaming.

looks like you found the answer before posting this, and I already gave you an answer that's valid. Yes, it happens. Good upgrade btw, I hear teh 5200 is a great chip.

 

[lettcco]

Thanks for the replies, ch33zw1z. I was going to get the E8500 that so many people raved about at $135 but they were sold out, so I settled for E5200 which probably works out better as it is 50 dollars cheaper and is actually a boxed cpu so if this happens again I will have 3 years warranty

 

[Itchrelief]

Originally posted by: lettcco
Thanks for the replies, ch33zw1z. I was going to get the E8500 that so many people raved about at $135 but they were sold out, so I settled for E5200 which probably works out better as it is 50 dollars cheaper and is actually a boxed cpu so if this happens again I will have 3 years warranty

As someone who was trying to replace an old, unstable system on the cheap, I found the inclusion of a heatsink and fan in the retail box to be a godsend.

Although I think the e8500 was also a retail boxed chip, at least at the Fry's in Anaheim, CA