XP "Thoroughbred" FAQ -- READ THIS

[magnux]

Since the latest batch of Athlon XP (Thoroughbred) cores are among us, most O/C themed forums have become innundated with the repeated questions. Hopefully, I can answer most (all?) of them here, and provide a central resource for all those interested:

Q: Is it true all XP (Thorougbred) processors come unlocked from the factory?
A: Yes, but there's a catch. Only the higher multipliers (> x12.5) are unlocked, NOT the lower ones. In order to unlock the lower multipliers (< x12.5) you must unlock your processor.
* It has been reported that the latest EPoX 8RDA+ BIOS unlocks ALL multipliers, without the need for an unlock!
* Epox EP-8K9A series boards will unlock the lower multipliers without having to modify the cpu/ZIF socket (submitted by Need4Speed)

Q: Does my motherboard support the new XP (Thoroughbred) processors?
A: Maybe. You will need to check your manufacturers website for this information. KT400 and nForce2 boards of course support these processors, however, some KT333 boards appear to be hit and miss. At the time of this writing, I am unsure of the status of KT266 boards.

Q: Doesn't KT400 motherboards automatically unlock my processor?
A: Again, they only unlock the HIGHER (> x12.5) multipliers, not the lower onces. YOU MUST UNLOCK YOUR PROCESSOR (unless using the new EPoX 8RDA+ BIOS) TO ACCESS LOWER MULTIPLIERS!

Q: How do I unlock my processor?
A: Well, that depends on a variety of things. Which processor do you have? Is it Thoroughbred or Palomino? Etc.. Since this FAQ is dedicated to the Thoroughbred processor, I will only touch on subjects relating to that.

Personally, I feel the easiest/quickest unlock is by using the following method:

Unlocking your XP 2400+

Items you will need
* 1/2" thin copper wire (must be thin enough to fit inside holes on ZIF socket, but still allow for insertion of the CPU)

FYI: I used the copper from a telephone cable, just cut the end off and pull out a SINGLE STRAND)

Directions

First, take your copper wire and bend it into a "U" shape. Next, insert each leg into the ZIF socket 462 hole (as shown in this link, the red line indicates the 2 pin holes in question). Once you've securely placed the wire, and double checked it's location for accuracy, you can now insert the processor. You will notice the processor takes slightly more pressure to put in, this is normal. Once in, the wire will seat itself, allowing future removal of the CPU without disturbing the copper wire.

That's it! Your 2400+ is unlocked! Fire your PC up, and enjoy!

** DISCLAIMER: As with all DIY tutorials, you are performing this AT YOUR OWN RISK. I, nor the forum this is posted on is liable for any damages you may incur while using this method. Please exercise caution, and proper care when handling your equipment.

If you have any other FAQ questions to add, feel free to post them in this thread and I will update it as necessary. I hope this helps those of you searching for these common answers!

 

[Need4Speed]

Epox EP-8K9A series boards will unlock the lower multipliers without having to modify the cpu/ZIF socket

 

[CaptainHilts]

All multipliers on the Tbreds come unlocked, at least they did on mine (1700+ RIWGA). I picked up a KT400 board (Abit KD7) specifically so I would have the option of manipulating all the multipliers. I am currently using a multiplier of 10.5, but I have also tried multipliers ranging from 9 through 13.5 and they all have worked.

 

[pillage2001]

A not though, it doesn't come unlock in certain boards. Maybe a simple Bios update will do. It is unlock on my A7V133 but not my A7V266E.

 

[drewdogg808]

all lower multipliers were unlocked on my previous 1700tbred and kt3 ultra aru (kt333 chipset).

 

[Tab]

Can I get any comment on what kind of Ramm people should buy? Personally, I would buy a Epox, should I look at DDR400, or DDR 333?

 

[MatthewF01]

cant you unlock a tbred by bridging the LAST L3 gap, or drawing around it (since its on the end)?

 

[Jeff7181]

Lookie here

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: MatthewF01
cant you unlock a tbred by bridging the LAST L3 gap, or drawing around it (since its on the end)?

that's the other option, which requires having a defogger kit or conductive ink or something. for me, it was a pain to find.. i have about 5 extra phone cables lying around Altho, personally, i would rather do the defogger method (which I finally found) because i'd be uneasy on the wire unbalancing the cpu.

 

[soltrain]

my question: if the FSB is a setable (sp?) factor of the motherboard, and many motherboards now have a PCI/AGP lock ; what is the difference between XP procs having a 333mhz FSB or a 266mhz FSB?

Why would I buy a 2600+ 333, when I can save $100 and get a 2400+ 266 and overclock the FSB and mult. to a 2600+ setting? Is this realistic?

One more thing... does the FSB run like DDR or something? When people set their FSB to (15*133) their bus is really 266 right? How come Intel chips run @ 533 FSB?

Thanks!

 

[Olias]

One more thing... does the FSB run like DDR or something? When people set their FSB to (15*133) their bus is really 266 right? How come Intel chips run @ 533 FSB?

P4'a are internally quad pumped so 100MHz clock = 400FSB and 133MHZ = 533FSB or something like that.

 

[GeminiZi]

Hey Magnux, can you help me out here?

I'm in the process of getting the 8RDA+, I was going to get the XP 2100+, and then read a lot about how the 1700+ T'breds unlock themselves. I don't know how to overclock and have never done it before. Are you saying the 1700+ T'bred comes unlocked and all you have to do is change the mutiplier and fsb in the bios? Are there any other modifications done to it? What is 1.5 vcore?

I really like the speeds that everyone is getting from the 1700+ T'breds, and would like to do that myself.
Anyone if any information, please feel free to help.

Will I be fine with the stock heatsink and fan or will I need different ones?

What kind of RAM will I need?

Will the Raidmax Dual fan 320w power supply PM-S320U be okay?

Thank you in advance for all your help.
I appreciate it.

 

[johncar]

Originally posted by: magnux

Q: Is it true all XP (Thorougbred) processors come unlocked from the factory?
A: Yes, but there's a catch. Only the higher multipliers (> x12.5) are unlocked, NOT the lower ones. In order to unlock the lower multipliers (< x12.5) you must unlock your processor.

* It has been reported that the latest EPoX 8RDA+ BIOS unlocks ALL multipliers, without the need for an unlock!
* Epox EP-8K9A series boards will unlock the lower multipliers without having to modify the cpu/ZIF socket (submitted by Need4Speed)

magnux,
Just like to clarify the "use" of the term "unlocked". For example, in the Q:/A: above it says the processor comes "unlocked" but then we are told that we must "unlock" the processor to "unlock" the lower Multipliers...3 levels of "unlocking"???

First of all, "unlocking" originated in Duron/Tbird era and referred "exclusively" to "open" L1 bridges which prevent mobo/bios from connecting to the Multiplier module's signal busses and "changing" the default Multiplier code. When the L1s are closed, whether by user or AMD, there is nothing to prevent the mobo/bios from changing the default setting...."except the mobo/bios itself". And that "still holds true today".

What happened with time is that AMD introduced the Palomino with 5 bit Multiplier code Duron/Tbird had only 4 bit code maxing at 12.5X. But since the early Palominos had the 5th 8X Bit Value bit set LO/Disabled, (early Palominos had default Multipliers at 12.5X and less), the early and then current mobos had no problem "changing" the default Multiplier thru 12.5X since only 4 bits were needed to be HI changed and the new 5th bit was LO by default. As far as mobos were concerned these Palominos had "4 bit code".

But when the 13X Palo 2100 came out, most if not all mobos would not even boot, and pcstats.com found that manually resetting the 5th bit to LO from its new default HI at 13X would boot the system to 5X, 8X less than default, but now the early mobo/bios could "change" the new 5X default Multiplier from 5X thru 12.5X...(as long as the Palo's open L1s were closed by the user first). This was not an "unlocking"/closing the L1s problem, it was a mobo/bios problem in that they had not been "designed" to cope with Multipliers 13X and up. So the CPU had to modded to "look like" a 4 bit Duron/Tbird, which the mobo/bios was comfortable with. The mod did not "unlock" anything, it was a "workaround" to "fix" a mobo/bios "problem/incompatibilty", to first of all "boot" then secondly be able to "change a reduced 5X thru 12.5X range 4 bit Multiplier", as 13X and higher was "not available".

Same happened with 13.5X Tbred 2200, except 13.5X was reset to 5.5X when its 5th bit HI was manually reset to LO. Same "mobo/bios" problem, (but L1s came closed, less manual work).

Finally a "new" 5 bit mobo, the KD7, came out which did not need any mods and its bios could change the default Multiplier, (to any value the CPU was capable of), whether "below or above 12.5X".
But some other new 5 bit mobos "are still having problems" as you described, and still need some mod/s.

But by this time we hope all can see that "unlocking" should "only" be used with ref to the L1s. You wrote...

A: Yes, but there's a catch. Only the higher multipliers (> x12.5) are unlocked, NOT the lower ones. In order to unlock the lower multipliers (< x12.5) you must unlock your processor.

We'd write......
A: Yes, but there's a catch. Only the higher multipliers (> x12.5) are "available", NOT the lower ones. In order to "be able to change the default Multiplier" to the lower multipliers (< x12.5) you must "mod the 5th bit's bridge/s" on your processor.

Functionally and technically correct and got rid of the 2 extra/confusing "unlocks" in the answer.

Sorry the explanation took so long, but that's the fault of 4 bit mobos trying to cope with later 5 bit CPUs, a bit complex, we're just the messenger. And remember, the 5th 8X Bit Value signal circuit is exactly the same as the original 4., it's L3 bridge not some special "unlocking" bridge.

http://www.beachlink.com/candjac/index.htm link to Multiplier Code, Circuits, other articles, to understand the Multiplier details.
John C.

 

[xenolith]

Originally posted by: johncar

Finally a "new" 5 bit mobo, the KD7, came out which did not need any mods and its bios could change the default Multiplier, (to any value the CPU was capable of), whether "below or above 12.5X".

But some other new 5 bit mobos "are still having problems" as you described, and still need some mod/s.

So let me get this straight, does this mean that VIA KT333/KT400 chipset mobos should be able to "factory unlock" all the multipliers on the new T-bred A/Bs?

 

[mrman3k]

I guess I will not try to put in a 333MHz FSB Athlon and instead just get the 2600+ once it is cheap and OC it. At least it can push me till the 64 and Prescott are out.

 

[johncar]

Originally posted by: xenolith

Originally posted by: johncar

Finally a "new" 5 bit mobo, the KD7, came out which did not need any mods and its bios could change the default Multiplier, (to any value the CPU was capable of), whether "below or above 12.5X".

But some other new 5 bit mobos "are still having problems" as you described, and still need some mod/s.

So let me get this straight, does this mean that VIA KT333/KT400 chipset mobos should be able to "factory unlock" all the multipliers on the new T-bred A/Bs?

We specifically said KD7 because we've seen posts at xtremesystems.org by very experienced oc'ers who reported same, but we have no other reports of other mobos w same chipset. Best to always ask around and verify in this uncertain time.

And you didn't get our message, ;-) "mobos don't unlock the multiplier", closed L1 bridges do, mobos can only "change" the default Multiplier, IF they are "designed" to do so, compatible with the CPU, and the L1s are closed. For example the KD7 can't "change" a Palomino 2100's 5 bit default Multiplier even though it is "designed" to do so...until you close its open L1s...right???
John C.

 

[SFang]

Anyone successfully get 13X, 14X multiplier of ThroughBred B Athlon XP on ANY NForce2 boards ??

Sorry to use bold, but I have been asking this question for half a month now, Nobody seems to know the answer. Help appreciated!