AMD phenom II 555 BE vs Phenom x4 9950 BE

[Echo1337]

Hello,

I'm thinking of purchasing the Phenom II 555 (dual core) in hope i can unlock it to a quad core. But there is only a chance i can unlock the other cores.

However, if unlocking it is impossible for me, but i overclock it to 3.5GHZ would it still be better than my Phenom X4 9950(quad core) overclocked to 2.9GHZ?

thanks for the help!

 

[beanoslim]

Phenom II's massively outperform Phenoms.

My 555 did unlock and is running 3.7ghz quad, but it is down to luck, also possibility of a triple.

My 555 hit nearly 4ghz running dual core, just seen this in another thread, seems like a steal.
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103679&Tpk=phenom%20715

 

[Echo1337]

So even if mine didn't unlock, it would still beat my current processor?

 

[beanoslim]

It all depends what you need the cpu for.

On cpu mark the 9950 scores higher but it does have 4 cores, but on other tasks and apps the 555 would win due to the newer architechture and L3 cache.

The 555 should also run cooler and overclock better, the original Phenoms weren't the best thing AMD ever did by a long shot.

If its a quad you are after you should look at the 955BE for $135 but otherwise I would spend $70 on the 715, if it unlocks thats a bonus but if it doesn't you have a speedy up to date triple.

This is also about the same price as a 555 and is a 3ghz quad core.
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871&cm_re=athlon_640-_-19-103-871-_-Product

This is all based on the cpu's being compatible with your mobo so make sure to check before you buy.

 

[ahthurungnone]

My 555BE did not unlock, but I did overclock it to a stable 4.0Ghz.

Still, if you have the money, I'd buy the 955BE.

 

[charade]

My 555BE unlocked to 3 cores but overclocks to a stable 4.1 (give or take) Ghz. I'm putting it back to stock until I get a better cooler. I was hoping to get all 4 unlocked but no joy. I thought I wasn't going to unlock the others at all until I figured out how to disable core 1 and enable core 2 and 3. Seems weird to me that I can unlock the other 2 cores but not all 4.

 

[beanoslim]

I don't understand that, if you have a 555 the dual cores are core 0,1.

If you are disabling core 1 and enabling 2 and 3 you are actually disabling one of the dual core cores.

If you are enabling 2 and 3 these are the original cores locked by AMD, if they are stable then you have 4 stable cores.

I think.

4.1ghz is good I only got 4ghz dual core. When you say stable how stable? What have you stressed it with?

 

[Embra]

So even if mine didn't unlock, it would still beat my current processor?

====> The Facts!

 

[charade]

I don't understand that, if you have a 555 the dual cores are core 0,1.

If you are disabling core 1 and enabling 2 and 3 you are actually disabling one of the dual core cores.

If you are enabling 2 and 3 these are the original cores locked by AMD, if they are stable then you have 4 stable cores.

I think.

4.1ghz is good I only got 4ghz dual core. When you say stable how stable? What have you stressed it with?

I stressed it with Prime95. I read somewhere else that someone ran into the same thing I did and was only able to get 3 cores running with disabling core 1 and running 0 , 2 and 3. I've got a new cooler on order along with a power supply adapter. My PSU only has a 4 pin CPU plug but the MB has an 8 pin. I read that sometime power might be an issue for not getting all 4 cores unlock. I bought a PSU that had a dual 4 pin CPU plug and tried that but the strange thing is I couldn't boot into windows 7 (64 bit) at all even just running dual core (0 and 1). I returned it.

 

[beanoslim]

Wierd, I take it you've tried upping your cpu voltage with the 4 cores unlocked?

What sort of psu did you get?

Try hitting it with 1hr OCCT, 8hrs P95 and looping 3DMark for a few hours, should be stable then.

 

[charade]

Wierd, I take it you've tried upping your cpu voltage with the 4 cores unlocked?

What sort of psu did you get?

Try hitting it with 1hr OCCT, 8hrs P95 and looping 3DMark for a few hours, should be stable then.

I tried upping the voltage a bit but not to max. AMD overdrive software says the max V for this processor is 1.55. The PSU that I bought/returned was an ANTEC 500W (http/www.staples.com/Antec-EarthWatts-500W-continuous-power-supply/product_857907?cmArea=SEARCH)

I'm going wait until my better cooler and the 12v adapter comes in before running extended stress tests and trying again to unlock all 4 cores.

 

[beanoslim]

Mine only needed +0.025v, I try to keep it under 1.5v, settled for 3.6ghz @ +0.25.

Whats your new psu and cooler?

 

[charade]

My original PSU (got a couple of years ago for free after rebate (got a case too!)) that boots into Windows (both PSU's would POST) is an ULTRA 500W. The cooler is the Cooler Master RR-910-HTX3-G1. I would have gotten the 212 but it wouldn't fit into my case.

 

[beanoslim]

So whats the rest of your setup with that not so sharp psu?

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185097&cm_re=scythe-_-35-185-097-_-Product

 

[charade]

So whats the rest of your setup with that not so sharp psu?

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185097&cm_re=scythe-_-35-185-097-_-Product

The MB is a Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H with 4 gig DDR2 667mhz (Micron). Using the built in video for now until I can find a steal of a deal on a better add on. That's it! Nothing special. Just wanted to upgrade my 7 or so year old Athlon 2800+. Don't plan on playing games.

 

[beanoslim]

Should be ok then, good luck.