Is a Phenom II X2 unlocked == Phenom II X4? and what's with X2 Deneb?

[tiblot]

Is a Phenom II X2 unlocked == Phenom II X4? and what's with X2 Deneb?

I've been mulling over the decision to get a Phenom II X2 and unlock two cores but after reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenom_II I'm concerned that I may experience intermittent failures. Let me quote:

"Hardware enthusiast websites have collected and summarized anecdotal reports that, overall, indicate about a 70% success rate, but these reports likely have self-reporting bias, and more importantly, it is impossible to know whether an unlocked core is truly bug-free or just works 'well enough' for the particular individual making the report."

Considering I will be building 1 or 2 of these for relatives I'm uncomfortable basing builds on potential problems. Which now leads to my next question-- can I re-lock a problematic core?

Item 2:
Wikipedia lists the Phenom II X4 with the Deneb name, the X3 with the Heka name and the X2 with the Callisto name. Newegg lists a Phenom X2 555 as Deneb. Any guesses on what that means?

The X2 555 is a Deneb because of the revision (C3) and the code name AMD uses for this chip. It is simply a Deneb X4 B55 chip with 2 cores disabled.

When they disabled 2 cores, it shows up as a Callisto X2 555 and that's what is being sold as.

And yeah you can disable the 2 extra cores if something is not stable. Everything is done through the BIOS. Just make sure you have ACC option in the BIOS (usually requires a 790 or 710 SB)

Thats it 🙂

 

[Axon]

Thats incorrect. A X2 is in no way a "crappy yield" of a X4 chip. AMD simply does not want to have 2 seperate production lines.

Its easier to produce X4s and sell them as X2s. BUT there are a few ways they accomplish this.

1. Build a X4, disable 2 cores sell as X2
2. During Qual Control, 1 or 2 of the cores was dead. Sell the chip as X2 or X3. Don't throw away the chip.

The success rate of unlocking OLDER X2 chips has been bad, partly because #2 I mentioned above. However, recent chips especially the X2 555 have had very high success rates.

AT article mentions this, I've seen numerous reviews on it, and I actually just did it last night to my 555. Again, there is no guantree you'll succeed. However, if I were to place a bet on it the 555 unlocking - I'd take take my chances.

The 555 can be OC'd from 3.2 --> 3.6 with ease. Even if you can't unlock 2 cores there is still tremendous value.

Uhhh...so it's a crappy yield of an X4? 😛

I kid, I kid.