45nm Athlon X2 5000+ which is based on Phenom II available in the UK!

[DanceswithUnix]

Went to order that Asrock motherboard, and noticed that Scan had an M3A78-T on offer reduced from 87 quid to just 51, and I managed to order one *just* before the page changed!

The X2-5000+ stepping C2 is on the supported list, and it seems to have SB750 with unleash mode

[jim]

Now I'm confused.

So this is an Athlon II part?

I thought because it was an Athlon X2 64 that meant it was an old chip! So if an AM2+ board supports an original Athlon X2 64 5000+ in BIOS version 1, does that mean that this will also be supported? Or does it need a BIOS update?

[DanceswithUnix]

Now I'm confused.

So this is an Athlon II part?

I thought because it was an Athlon X2 64 that meant it was an old chip! So if an AM2+ board supports an original Athlon X2 64 5000+ in BIOS version 1, does that mean that this will also be supported? Or does it need a BIOS update?

I also thought it was an old chip, bought it for an old motherboard where it doesn't work.

This part is marked as "socket AM2+", and as stepping C2 in motherboard compatibility charts. It is a Phenom II with most off the chip turned off.

[scaryjim]

The X2-5000+ stepping C2 is on the supported list, and it seems to have SB750 with unleash mode

It'll need a BIOS update for it - I grabbed one of those for a mate and it's a lovely mobo but it seems to ship with a very early BIOS revision (doesn't even recognise a Phenom II X4 940!). Current BIOS version is 1701 - I think unleashing mode was introduced in 1501? But once you've flashed it it should be a monster

[Uriel]

Now I'm confused.

So this is an Athlon II part?

I thought because it was an Athlon X2 64 that meant it was an old chip! So if an AM2+ board supports an original Athlon X2 64 5000+ in BIOS version 1, does that mean that this will also be supported? Or does it need a BIOS update?

It's pretty much unique. It's closer to Athlon II than it is to Athlon but all the Athlon IIs are AM3, while this is AM2+. It's basically a Phenom II 920 / 940 with half the cores and L3 cache disabled plus a hefty downclock.

X2 5000+ is a bad name for it though. I can see a lot of people with older motherboards buying this, not realising it will require a BIOS update that may never come in some cases.

[DanceswithUnix]

X2 5000+ is a bad name for it though. I can see a lot of people with older motherboards buying this, not realising it will require a BIOS update that may never come in some cases.

I notice that HP sell a dx2250 machine which looks from the spec like it uses this CPU (2.2GHz 5000+, not 2.6GHz like the original was). My guess is HP wanted this chip for some marketing purposes, and now they are turning up on the general market.

[DanceswithUnix]

It'll need a BIOS update for it - I grabbed one of those for a mate and it's a lovely mobo but it seems to ship with a very early BIOS revision (doesn't even recognise a Phenom II X4 940!). Current BIOS version is 1701 - I think unleashing mode was introduced in 1501? But once you've flashed it it should be a monster

Did you manage to upgrade it with the new unrecognised chip? I could put the old 3000+ in there for the re-flash, but would rather not faff about like that.

[scaryjim]

Did you manage to upgrade it with the new unrecognised chip?

Although it wasn't recognised the X4 940 was running correctly @ 3GHz with all cores operating normally, yeah. I've not actually flashed the BIOS - I was building for a mate, and although the risk is small I decided I'd rather not brick his new mobo so I just told him that it was running OK but it wasn't recognised and he might want to think about flashing the BIOs himself at some point if it started causing issues!

He's not a particularly good mate, mind...

[Terbinator]

New motherboard came today: Asus 785GTD M-EVO.
Any tips for a stable unlock. Just turning on AAC/Unleashing and leaving the voltages on auto doesn't do the trick, sadly.

[Domestic_Ginger]

Flash it to the latest bios. There should be selective relocking of unlocked cores; you may still get a tricore.

GL!

Some people try and lower the multi or give a Vcore bump. Not sure it really helps.

[Terbinator]

Flash it to the latest bios. There should be selective relocking of unlocked cores; you may still get a tricore.

GL!

Some people try and lower the multi or give a Vcore bump. Not sure it really helps.

I'm on 9010 BIOS revision, the next one up: 9015 is for stability regarding a Samsung RAM module.
AFAIK i won't be able to get a tri-core as the Sempron is a cut down native dual-core design.

I could really do with knowing what the NB standard voltage is as the BIOS doesn't tell you

[Domestic_Ginger]

ooops sorry I thought you were trying a 5000+; teach me not to read what is being written!

Sorry I meant CPU voltage but that is for 550's and the like. You can tell by booting into windows and looking in diagnostic software. There should be a prog with the mobo; GB supplies easytunes or try CPUz (not sure though).

I think you may have a duff core I'm afraid.

[Terbinator]

I can get into building by turning on ACC and Unleash mode but stability is an issue. Prime starts up and quits equally fast and WEI won't finish. IS there any hope of giving these new cores some stability by more Volts, if so how and any other suggests ofc!

[nibbler]

Stupid AMD rebranding

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Stupid AMD rebranding

It could be worse!! It could be.....nRebranding(tm)!!

[nibbler]

A very good point