I have a Phenom 710 BATCH 904 - cant get 4th core to show!

[Drummer]

First of all... hello to anandtech... im new here and thought id start with a "hi"!

Now for my rig :
Gigabyte MA790XT UD4P AM3 MOBO (running F2 bios, release jan. 16)
AMD Phenom II 710 (LUCKY BATCH 904!)
2x2GB Mushkin ddr3 1600 ram (model 996601)
Ximatech s1283 cpu cooler
700W silverstone strider
Sapphire radeon 4850x2

Im pretty sure that this cpu should post 4 cores... my bios is the AWARD bios version F2. I unlock the ACC with cntrl-f1 and try all the different settings. Auto, all cores, each core. None will post an x4, show in task manager, or amd overdrive, or cpuz. I read a bit about AMD having the bios re-written to not allow the 4th core open... i am using an AM3 mobo with ddr3 1600 ram, not an am2+ board that most people are reporting the unlocking on. Could this be the problem? I cant seem to overclock this thing either... prime95 hangs the system even at 3ghz. Im not an experienced overclocker, but i have been reading all your threads on this matter (and many more) and have attempted many settings (had my CPU over 70 degrees for a second, but i stopped that real quick... its ok tho, voltage was too high). Im just letting amd overdrive do an auto tune right now to see what happens, but other than that, anyone have any feedback for me? Gazel perhaps?

If i cant get this cpu to post x4 in this mobo, i may sell it off for what i paid, its a week old, and i know you tinkerers would love to have a nice healthy 904 to play with! Im waiting for the 945....

~D~

 

[dorion]

Correct me if I'm wrong(probably with this whole batch thing) but....
http://www.google.com/search?h...nom+II+710&btnG=Search

I see X3 everywhere.

 

[Drummer]

yes its an x3 CPU but my batch seems to have a good 4th core.. check out a couple threads here dealing with it youll see what i mean... the unlock is just not working for me tho.

~D~

 

[Phunk0ne]

assuming your X3 might have a good working 4th core, is the same as assuming you are able to clock that particular cpu @ let's say 5GHz on air.

unlucky draw seems the appropriate case here.

 

[Drummer]

im more looking for someone who knows if the new bios has closed off the option of opening the forth core, or if it has something to do with the am3 bios. Im betting that the am2+ boards will open the 4th core.

~D~

 

[Quiksilver]

IIRC, last week AMD told mobo manufactures to release a BIOS update to "fix" this X3 to X4 issue. Of course there is also the possibility that AMD decided to laser cut the 4th core... I think it's stupid and unethical to sell a processor because it can't take advantage of something it wasn't designed or supposed to do; when it works just fine. If you wanted a quad core, you should of spent the extra money and got one.

 

[richierich1212]

Only AM2+ Mobos are able to unlock the 4th core, specifically ones with 790GX and 750SB chipsets.

 

[Keysplayr]

Sometimes foks, it's just worth the extra money for that desired 4th core rather than put hours and hours of your time into trying to unlock it. I know it's beyond tempting to try and get something for nothing, or for less, but sometimes, it just isn't worth the aggravation. I'll be getting my Gigabyte AM2+ mobo tonight. 790GX and 750SB. I'll try to unlock as I do have an 0904. Crap shoot and I don't have any hopes that it will work without issue from reading around the web. I'll put 1 hour into it. If it doesn't unlock, I'll begin using my PII X3 720 as it was intended. A tri core CPU. However, I will definitely o/c this puppy though. In my opinion, if it doesn't work right out of the gate on your first try, then it will never work no matter how much time you put into it. It either will or it won't. Wish me luck!! LOL.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
IIRC, last week AMD told mobo manufactures to release a BIOS update to "fix" this X3 to X4 issue. Of course there is also the possibility that AMD decided to laser cut the 4th core... I think it's stupid and unethical to sell a processor because it can't take advantage of something it wasn't designed or supposed to do; when it works just fine. If you wanted a quad core, you should of spent the extra money and got one.

Why is it unethical to sell something because the user had high expectations for it? It's not like he's RMAing it back to Newegg because it wouldn't do something it wasn't designed for.

When I used to get a new CPU I'd very often buy 2-3 of the same CPU, keep the one that overclocked the best, and sold the rest with full disclosure of what I did and the results. That's not unethical.

 

[konakona]

My unlocked core shows up fine, but gives artifacts in 3d games and video playback. Perhaps I could play around with ACC a bit more, manually adjusting the % per core.

 

[Drummer]

Guys guys! keep your opinions and ethics to yourself! Man.. what a bad experience first time in these forums, talk about trolling! All i asked is if anyone knew if i couldnt open the 4th core because i had an AM3 board or not! Who cares WHY i got the cpu, or WHAT im going to do with it! For your info, i only learned about the 4th core AFTER i got it! so relax and go away if you cant answer a simple question jeeze... thank you to the guy that told me that its only the AM2 boards that are doing it. Im fine with just leaving it x3. I was just tinkering. You know, its an OVERCLOCKING forum. Are you guys bored or something??? I AM WAITING FOR THE 945 AND GOT THIS ONE TO PLAY WITH, is that ok with your ethics???

~D~

 

[Drummer]

thats exactly how i viewed it. gave it a shot, now who cares.

~D~

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
IIRC, last week AMD told mobo manufactures to release a BIOS update to "fix" this X3 to X4 issue. Of course there is also the possibility that AMD decided to laser cut the 4th core... I think it's stupid and unethical to sell a processor because it can't take advantage of something it wasn't designed or supposed to do; when it works just fine. If you wanted a quad core, you should of spent the extra money and got one.

Why is it unethical to sell something because the user had high expectations for it? It's not like he's RMAing it back to Newegg because it wouldn't do something it wasn't designed for.

When I used to get a new CPU I'd very often buy 2-3 of the same CPU, keep the one that overclocked the best, and sold the rest with full disclosure of what I did and the results. That's not unethical.

He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

But how is that unethical? The CPU isn't damaged.

By your logic, overclocking itself is unethical.

Originally posted by: Drummer
Guys guys! keep your opinions and ethics to yourself! Man.. what a bad experience first time in these forums, talk about trolling! All i asked is if anyone knew if i couldnt open the 4th core because i had an AM3 board or not! Who cares WHY i got the cpu, or WHAT im going to do with it! For your info, i only learned about the 4th core AFTER i got it! so relax and go away if you cant answer a simple question jeeze... thank you to the guy that told me that its only the AM2 boards that are doing it. Im fine with just leaving it x3. I was just tinkering. You know, its an OVERCLOCKING forum. Are you guys bored or something??? I AM WAITING FOR THE 945 AND GOT THIS ONE TO PLAY WITH, is that ok with your ethics???

~D~

OP, welcome to AT forums. This is how we roll here, for good or ill.

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

But how is that unethical? The CPU isn't damaged.

By your logic, overclocking itself is unethical.

Sigh... I need to stop assuming he's just going to turn around and sell it without telling potential buyers that the 4th core doesn't work...

What would be unethical, is if he choose to return it to wherever he bought it because the 4th core bug didn't work. I also remember there was an issue of c2d customers doing this when it was a poor OC'er.

 

[Drummer]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
IIRC, last week AMD told mobo manufactures to release a BIOS update to "fix" this X3 to X4 issue. Of course there is also the possibility that AMD decided to laser cut the 4th core... I think it's stupid and unethical to sell a processor because it can't take advantage of something it wasn't designed or supposed to do; when it works just fine. If you wanted a quad core, you should of spent the extra money and got one.

Why is it unethical to sell something because the user had high expectations for it? It's not like he's RMAing it back to Newegg because it wouldn't do something it wasn't designed for.

When I used to get a new CPU I'd very often buy 2-3 of the same CPU, keep the one that overclocked the best, and sold the rest with full disclosure of what I did and the results. That's not unethical.

He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

Please stay out of my thread. What is the deal with you anyway? Hey Gazel, waiting to hear from you cause you had fun with this too

~D~


I may sell it cause ppl may want the 904 batch for their AM2+ board so they can play with it for a while. Its a good chance it will be alright. I cant unlock the 4th core cause i have a NEW BIOS.

~D~

 

[Modular]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

But how is that unethical? The CPU isn't damaged.

By your logic, overclocking itself is unethical.

Sigh... I need to stop assuming he's just going to turn around and sell it without telling potential buyers that the 4th core doesn't work...

What would be unethical, is if he choose to return it to wherever he bought it because the 4th core bug didn't work. I also remember there was an issue of c2d customers doing this when it was a poor OC'er.

He doesn't know if it works or not. As a previous poster pointed out, his MOBO cannot unlock the core. This doesn't mean that the core itself cannot be unlocked by someone with the appropriate hardware.

Oh, welcome to the forums Drummer :evil:

 

[Drummer]

Originally posted by: Modular

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

But how is that unethical? The CPU isn't damaged.

By your logic, overclocking itself is unethical.

Sigh... I need to stop assuming he's just going to turn around and sell it without telling potential buyers that the 4th core doesn't work...

What would be unethical, is if he choose to return it to wherever he bought it because the 4th core bug didn't work. I also remember there was an issue of c2d customers doing this when it was a poor OC'er.

He doesn't know if it works or not. As a previous poster pointed out, his MOBO cannot unlock the core. This doesn't mean that the core itself cannot be unlocked by someone with the appropriate hardware.

Oh, welcome to the forums Drummer :evil:

Thnx for the welcome, i plan to stick around and learn a bit more about tweaking... laid off of work and bored lol! Damn auto industry...

~D~

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

But how is that unethical? The CPU isn't damaged.

By your logic, overclocking itself is unethical.

Sigh... I need to stop assuming he's just going to turn around and sell it without telling potential buyers that the 4th core doesn't work...

What would be unethical, is if he choose to return it to wherever he bought it because the 4th core bug didn't work. I also remember there was an issue of c2d customers doing this when it was a poor OC'er.

Why would he even need to disclose this? he would be selling it as an X3.

From my very recent experince with a pair of batch 904's is that the 4 core does work in an AM2+ board...but never works in an AM3.

so he could very well still have a working 4th core.

Sounds like you just want something to bitch about....as usual.

Oh and welcome to the forum OP.

 

[Drummer]

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

But how is that unethical? The CPU isn't damaged.

By your logic, overclocking itself is unethical.

Sigh... I need to stop assuming he's just going to turn around and sell it without telling potential buyers that the 4th core doesn't work...

What would be unethical, is if he choose to return it to wherever he bought it because the 4th core bug didn't work. I also remember there was an issue of c2d customers doing this when it was a poor OC'er.

Why would he even need to disclose this? he would be selling it as an X3.

From my very recent experince with a pair of batch 904's is that the 4 core does work in an AM2+ board...but never works in an AM3.

so he could very well still have a working 4th core.

Sounds like you just want something to bitch about....as usual.

Oh and welcome to the forum OP.

kinda my impression of him too... no help to me to say the least. Thnx for the answer on then AM3 experience too, it supports what ive been told by others. It would be a good processor for someone with and am2+ board tho, perhaps i will sell it at COST (no extra!) to someone who can take advantage of it!

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
He wants to sell it because it cannot do something it wasn't designed to do or be.
He has a X3 processor that works as it is advertised and just because he cannot unlock the 4th core which isn't guaranteed to work he want's to sell it. If he wanted a quad core in the first place he should of ponied up and bought one. It is just comes of as really silly.

But how is that unethical? The CPU isn't damaged.

By your logic, overclocking itself is unethical.

Sigh... I need to stop assuming he's just going to turn around and sell it without telling potential buyers that the 4th core doesn't work...

What would be unethical, is if he choose to return it to wherever he bought it because the 4th core bug didn't work. I also remember there was an issue of c2d customers doing this when it was a poor OC'er.

Why would he even need to disclose this? he would be selling it as an X3.

From my very recent experince with a pair of batch 904's is that the 4 core does work in an AM2+ board...but never works in an AM3.

so he could very well still have a working 4th core.

Sounds like you just want something to bitch about....as usual.

Oh and welcome to the forum OP.

For the same reasons why you should do the same with OC'd processors. To protect yourself from people thinking it would be your fault it doesn't achieve what they expected.

Anyway, I'm done replying here, OP got the answers he wanted and I got to express my thoughts; even if they weren't what the OP or others were looking for.