nForce2 unlocks tbred cpu without hardware mod?

[galt]

I just bought a Shuttle AN35N-Ultra (nForce2 400 Ultra chipset), and want to run my 1800+ tbred-b at a 200mhz fsb. But changing the multiplier in the BIOS doesn't seem to affect the cpu, it always shows 11.5 (original multiplier).

I've heard that nForce2 motherboards are capable of unlocking thoroughbred cpus without hardware mods. Since I just wanna run the cpu at 9.5x200 (its currently running at 11.5x172), I dont think i need to enable the higher multipliers.

So anyone know if the AN35N-Ultra can unlock Tbred cpus?

Specs:
Shuttle AN35N-Ultra (nForce2 400 Ultra)
Athlon XP 1800+ Tbred-B
Kingston HyperX 400mhz DDR
Enlight 360W PS
PNY GF4 Ti4200-8x

 

[Sheriff]

The newer T-Breds and Bartons X's are locked

 

[jar5tyle]

No, they can't unlock physically locked multipliers.

 

[galt]

Its not the physically locked type (like the newer bartons). Its an old tbred-b. Anyway, I got the latest bios for the mb, and it seemed to change the multiplier from 11.5 to 11 earlier. I haven't tried experimenting further. But since it did change it, I guess I can set it to 10 and continue on my quest for my first 200mhz fsb. (I've been living in the 133mhz fsb era all this while).

 

[MasterHoss]

it should work

 

[galt]

Well, now I'm really confused. The cpu works correctly if I set the multiplier to 11. But anything other than that (9.x, 10.x, etc) is just ignored. I tried 9.5, 10, and 10.5. None of those work. If I set it to 11, it works. If I set it to AUTO, it still works (as 11.5). If I put anything else, it's ignored, and the system boots with a 11.5 multiplier. I haven't tried anything higher than 11.5 though. I don't want to. I would like to run this at 9.5*200mhz. Right now its at 1980 or something, rock solid. So I know it can do 1900. But the darned cpu won't accept any multipliers other than 11 and 11.5.

What gives?

 

[randumb]

The T-Bred was already unlocked. nForce2 motherboards don't unlock processors. That's just a myth, because nForce2 motherboards came out around the same time unlocked T-Breds did, and people were'nt sure and just assumed maybe the nForce2 motherboard did it.

 

[yhelothar]

actually it does.. i had a palomino that was locked.. put it on the nforce2.. unlocked

 

[galt]

Which leaves me here:

Currently I'm running 11x175 = 1925mhz (@1.65v). Ram is still not being used fully, since its pc3200 c2. I would really like 9.5x200 = 1900mhz, or say a little higher, perhaps 9.5x205 = 1948. But I guess my only recourse is to get a conductive pen and unlock the cpu by doing the L3 tango.

Is it worth going from 11x175 to 9.5x200 ? I mean does the hassle of finding, buying, and using some car defogger kit or something to that affect, make the rewards worthwhile?