According to PC Wizard 2010:
[code] General Information :
Number of Core : 4 (max. 4)
Number of Core Enabled : 3
Number of Threads : 1
Number of Thread per Core : 0 (max.3) [/code]
So... can I enable that extra core? My motherboard is an ASUS M4N78-AM
Yes, Tri Cores are usually Quad cores with one faulty core which was then disabled.
You can enable it.
Only certain chipsets allow you to enable the 4th core, I forget the name of the BIOS setting / chipset function.
Most of the locked cores are now perfectly stable, and were disabled to cater for demand. Somewhat tough position for AMD to be in, selling gimped quads at the price of tri's.
Yeah, why would they make a tri core unless their quad cores failed and they had to regain funds?
It wasnt because of failiure.
People became aware of the 4th core being locked, so demand for middle of the road tri-cores increased beyond output. AMD saved ALOT of money by supplying gimped quads, instead of designing a new processor and substrate layout, they just disabled one core.
Thanks for the replies. How can I tell if it's possible for me to unlock it?
You'll find an option somewhere in your BIOS for Advanced Core Calibration (ACC). Set that to Auto (or set All Cores to -2%). Also, if there's an option for a CPU firmware or something, set that from Standard or whatever to Hybrid. Save and Exit, and hope for the best! If the core is so unstable that you can't even get to the BIOS, reset the CMOS by removing the battery on your motherboard for 5 seconds, and replacing (this should be common knowledge)
check to see if you have a SB710 or higher
sb='southbridge'
