Phenom 2 X2 B59 TDP

[LTC8K6]

Okay, I mentioned in another thread that I had recently realized that this CPU could likely be unlocked to an X4.

So, I set that up in the BIOS, and sure enough, it's a full fledged X4 processor now.

It reports X4 at 3.4Ghz
6 MB L3 cache
4 x 512 KB L2 cache
4 x 128 KB L1 cache

It was 79W TDP, and it now reports 159W TDP.

Is it really 159W TDP now, and do I now need a massive cooler for it?

 

[lopri]

If you were using a stock cooler then yeah you need a better one now.

 

[LTC8K6]

I was afraid of that.

 

[Rickyyy369]

Did you check the temps?

 

[DrMrLordX]

It is not a 160W TDP processor. An X4 with a default clock of 3.4 ghz is going to have a TDP of ~125W-140W (a 965be with a stock clockspeed of 3.4 ghz had a 140W TDP, for example). The only way for you to know if you need a better cooler is to try running stress tests to see how hot it gets with all four cores unlocked. Or, to be on the safe side, find the cheapest AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+/FM2/FM2+ cooler you can for a CPU of that TDP or higher, and use that. If you know someone who has a stock cooler from an FX-8350 that will do nicely. It's all the same mounting system, so it's all interchangeable.

 

[LTC8K6]

Did you check the temps?

Can't see any temps with the extra cores unlocked. All programs I tried reported temps in normal mode, but the temps are not reported in X4 mode.

The stock cooler was wide open, though.

I figured I'd just get a cooler suitable for an X4 965.

 

[DrMrLordX]

The x2 I unlocked last year had broken temp sensors whenever I unlocked it, so yeah, I know where you're coming from there. You'll be flying blind. An old stock x4 cooler should do you well enough, too, or a stocker for a 1090T or 1100T.

 

[LTC8K6]

The x2 I unlocked last year had broken temp sensors whenever I unlocked it, so yeah, I know where you're coming from there. You'll be flying blind. An old stock x4 cooler should do you well enough, too, or a stocker for a 1090T or 1100T.

Okay, thanks.

When the stock cooler sounded like it was going to fly out of the case at high speed, I took it as a clue. :biggrin:

 

[PG]

There are multiple things going on here that haven't been mentioned yet:

CPU-Z doesn't know or have a way to check/test for TDP. In this case a dual core was unlocked to quad. CPU-Z just doubled TDP. Yes, it's that simple in how it works.

Of course the real tdp for this cpu may be higher than a stock 965. Why do I say this? Well, if all cores really work, then why wouldn't AMD sell it as a 965? Maybe the cpu pulled too much power to meet tdp specs for a 965 so they disabled two cores and sold it as a dual.

 

[jaydee]

You could always keep the four cores and underclock / undervolt the CPU. I have practically the same CPU at stock (see sig) and am using a far from powerful hs/f. I do handbrake encoding regularly, if there's any temp problems, I think it scales back the CPU multiplier on the fly.

 

[LTC8K6]

I haven't noticed any problems, and it does finish benchmarks in roughly half the time as before.

HW monitor reports varying package wattages, up to 168W under heavy stress...

I don't think I can cool that, if it's accurate.

 

[LTC8K6]

You could always keep the four cores and underclock / undervolt the CPU. I have practically the same CPU at stock (see sig) and am using a far from powerful hs/f. I do handbrake encoding regularly, if there's any temp problems, I think it scales back the CPU multiplier on the fly.

I did originally have it limited to 3.2ghz.

I have a better cooler coming and I will install that and limit it to 3.2 and see how it goes long term.

 

[DrMrLordX]

hwmonitor is more likely to report accurate power draw. So if it claims 168W power draw then yeah, you've got a heater! On the plus side, that thing could clock pretty well with the right cooling . . . too bad it's too ancient for that to matter.

Try undervolting before underclocking, that's what I say. Undervolting will generally work better with superior cooling though.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, I set it to 3Ghz and it still maxed out at 168 watts.

So I have to wonder if the numbers are correct?

I think I am just going to treat it as a Phenom 2 X4 until I get some indication that it is misbehaving.

I will do some extensive testing when I get the new cooler on it.

It's a backup computer used for technical drawings of equipment, and the extra 2 cores have made a noticeable difference.

 

[Shehriazad]

I just think that it is showing bogus values...but if you are that concerned I'm sure you can borrow a device for power measurement from somewhere and then see how much it sucks under load.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Well, I set it to 3Ghz and it still maxed out at 168 watts.

So I have to wonder if the numbers are correct?

I think I am just going to treat it as a Phenom 2 X4 until I get some indication that it is misbehaving.

I will do some extensive testing when I get the new cooler on it.

It's a backup computer used for technical drawings of equipment, and the extra 2 cores have made a noticeable difference.

Did you lower the voltage? If not, then it may still be accurate, though it should have dropped a little just from the decrease in clockspeed.

Otherwise I'd agree with Sheriazad and say that you may wish to use a Kill-a-watt or some other tester to see what's really going on.

 

[soccerballtux]

my x3->x4 and OC'd from 2.8->3.5ghz at 1.44? volts was DEFINITELY using at least 160watts. I was definitely near the thermal limit of my thermalright ultra-120 which is 160-180watts

the C2 steppings were fat and leaky chips

 

[DrMrLordX]

Hmm. Cpu-world says that the b59 was exclusively c3-stepping. Without looking at the lid, it'd be hard to tell exactly.

Of course, that doesn't really have anything to do with your x3 but still. If someone gives me a Stars chip, I'll take C3 over C2 any day. And I'll take R0 over either one of them . . .

 

[LTC8K6]

I lowered the voltage to 1.30000 and it was unstable.

Raised it to 1.35000 and it was stable.

Bumped it to the next increment just to be sure. 1.35312, I think.

It had been just over 1.4 volts.

The heatsink on the cooler was definitely getting very hot.

I have the bigger cooler on hand and will install it in a little while.

 

[LTC8K6]

Part HDXB59WFK2DGM
Stepping CACDC AC
Date 1207PGT

CPU-Z before unlock:
Callisto
Phenom 2 X2 B59

After:
Propus
Athlon 2 X4 559

 

[DrMrLordX]

Ah you got a CACDC, that's c3-stepping. My Athlon II x2-220 I got last year was also CACDC I think (it's a c3 chip). Good to see you were able to lower the voltage a bit . . . that should reduce power draw and heat somewhat.

Once you have installed the bigger cooler, you may be able to drop voltage again.

 

[soccerballtux]

I lowered the voltage to 1.30000 and it was unstable.

Raised it to 1.35000 and it was stable.

Bumped it to the next increment just to be sure. 1.35312, I think.

It had been just over 1.4 volts.

The heatsink on the cooler was definitely getting very hot.

I have the bigger cooler on hand and will install it in a little while.

do you want it to go faster? you can probably hit 3.8-4ghz on that. should be worth the $25-30 cooler investment

 

[LTC8K6]

It seems to be totally stable for long stress tests at 3.4 with the lowered voltage and the bigger cooler.

I may play with it and see what it will do, but I'm pretty happy with it now.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Free performance is always a blast. I don't think we'll ever get bang-per-buck like the Stars core unlocks again. Kind of a shame but hey, enjoy that little slice of history while it remains relevant.

 

[soccerballtux]

It seems to be totally stable for long stress tests at 3.4 with the lowered voltage and the bigger cooler.

I may play with it and see what it will do, but I'm pretty happy with it now.

no. the only point of an AMD is if you get it to 3.4ghz or more