Phenom II X3 720: Unlocking, Overclocking, and ACC

[Satsuki]

[Title changed, read below]
Hey everyone!

Would anyone predict a pre-Windows 7 price cut for Phenom II CPUs? I would like to buy the Phenom II X4 940 BE, but it has a hefty pricetag ($190)! I currently have the Athlon X2 (Brisbane) 5000+, which cost me $65. I'm overclock-ready with a 790FX (AM2+) chipset, Zalman 9700, and DDR2-1066 5-5-5-15 @ 800MHz.

The PhII seems like a good deal compared to Intel's Core i7 920 ($280). I hear Intel may be having a price cut in July. And also, Lynnfield (Core i5) is supposed to be out in Q3 '09. Wouldn't these drive the Phenom II's price down?

Is it possible AMD will be making a PhII with a larger cash or at a smaller process (e.g. <40nm)?

Any analysts out there have any helpful information?

Thanks a ton,
Satsuki

 

[Eureka]

I'm kind of wondering the same thing, but I just got my Kuma (2.8ghz x2) about 3 weeks ago, and its serving me fine. What exactly are you doing with the computer? If you're only really gaming or doing light processing work, then a regular dual-core will hold you off for a good amount of time. Prices will fall eventually, so only really upgrade if you need it.

 

[Candymancan21]

Intel hasnt cut prices on there cpu's in over a year so i doubt that would ever happen. AMD cpu's are pretty low as it is and unless they release something new i doubt they would go down either. $190 for a X4 Phenom ll is a great price IMO

 

[deimos3428]

You can't really go wrong with any of the Phenom IIs. I have an unlocked X4 710 that I overclock like mad (3.3 Ghz), and it's pretty sweet. As for your decision, consider when you're likely to upgrade your motherboard and RAM. If that's no time soon, go for it -- the X4 940 is a great chip and you'll be happy with it. Some alternatives:

If you're looking to save money, consider the X3 720 BE at $140. It's cheaper and less powerful than the 940, but it's still a Black Edition. It's also an AM3 so if you decide to upgrade the motherboard later on, it'll still work.

If you're not looking to save money, splurge and get the X4 955 BE at $245.

 

[LoneNinja]

AMD won't be rolling out any thing <45nm for over a year still so I wouldn't worry about that. As to the Phenom II X4 940 being a good deal, I think it is. I also have a feeling we'll see some price cuts when Intel's I5 releases, but that's just my opinion of that Phenom II will need it in order to stay price/performance competitive. Personally if the 940 is too much for you, I'd go ahead and get the X3 720, it'll still be a big upgrade over your X2 5000.

 

[Satsuki]

I'm running Windows 7. I'm a heavy Photoshop user. I play a lot of games and plan to host.

$190 just seems like too much. And so does $110 for a dual core Phenom II. $140 for a BE Tri-core is looking to be the best deal. But I really want a fully functional chip.

I don't know. Any other suggestions?

 

[Eureka]

Are you really sure you need the quad core though? For games there won't be much of a difference, I've seen results of maybe an increase of 1-3 frames per second at higher resolution/settings. And not sure how much PS would really benefit from a dual to quad core setup.

Btw, you can probably get it for less than 190... just right now ewiz has it for 188 shipped - 5% cashback... not a big difference but that's about $10 right there.

 

[brianj320]

Originally posted by: Satsuki
Would anyone predict a pre-Windows 7 price cut for Phenom II CPUs? I would like to buy the Phenom II X4 940 BE, but it has a hefty pricetag ($190)! I currently have the Athlon X2 (Brisbane) 5000+, which cost me $65. I'm overclock-ready with a 790FX (AM2+) chipset, Zalman 9700, and DDR2-1066 5-5-5-15 @ 800MHz.

curious as to why you have your 1066 RAM running at 800MHz

 

[Satsuki]

I ordered the Phenom II X3 720. Hope I get lucky with the fourth core. If not, it's OK. Seems to be the best price/performence.

They're running at 800MHz because that's the max RAM speed with an AM2 CPU. The Phenom II should automatically unlock 1066! Can't wait! Should be here in a few hours!

Thanks
Peace!

 

[Sylvanas]

Nice, don't forget to OC the northbridge speed.

 

[Satsuki]

Do you have any good information on ACC or overclocking the 720?

Won't boot with ACC on! >_<

Only at 3.4GHz now. (17x200) Running with a 9700NT heatsink. Hoping to push much more.

Thanks a ton!

 

[Satsuki]

BUMP

 

[richierich1212]

If the PC won't post with ACC on it's because you have to use the BIOS dated from 1/13/09. The later ones have an option called core leveling which forces the cpu into single or dual-core mode only.

 

[Satsuki]

I tried ACC with forced Tri-core. Still didn't boot. I have the newest firmware. Any suggestions? Why should I overclock the NB?

Highest 720 OC's compared:
http://www.overclock.net/amd-c...enom-ii-x3-720-oc.html

Satsuki

 

[richierich1212]

Satsuki, the latest BIOS with core leveling locks the processor. Try this BIOS dated from 1/13/09

 

[Satsuki]

My current firmware:
Upload Date 2009-06-03
Description Support Phenom II and Athlon II CPU


The one you suggest is older than my current, which is said to support Phenom II. If I go to 1/13/09 won't it remove support for my processor all together?

Again, I have the option to core level. But it doesn't seem to work. Will it automatically detect which core is defective and disable it?

Anyone have ACC working with Phenom II X3 720?

Thanks a lot! :thumbsup:

 

[Satsuki]

Hi all!

I can't seem to get my 720 above 3.4GHz without something crashing within a few hours. Temps don't pass 50c. Running on CoreV at 1.4875. Raising the HT clock above 200 usually results in BSOD.

Any overclocking suggestions?

Thanks

 

[richierich1212]

Yes, try the one dated 1/13/09. It works fine even with my 550, and previously my 920. The 550 came out awhile after the 720.

And as far as your vcore @ 1.4875 that's really high for only 3.4GHz. You should be able to lower that a bit.

 

[Satsuki]

Those are both quad core CPUs. Mine's Tri core. I think when I enable ACC it tries to unlock it, even with forced Tri core settings and then fails to past POST.

I don't know if I want to degrade my BIOS.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

I have a very similar setup to you (see sig). I too cannot boot into windows with ACC on, however, that's a really high voltage for a modest overclock.

I have mine running cool with stock voltage and cooler @ 3.2GHz. I haven't pushed it farther yet, but I simply changed the multiplier- perhaps give this a try.

 

[richierich1212]

Satsuki, the 550 is actually sold as X2 processor. And using an older BIOS does not mean degrading your BIOS, lmao. Just listen to me and try out the one from 1/13/09. It won't hurt.
Check out this post from rebels haven Text

 

[Satsuki]

HOLY CRAP! You got the Phenom II X2 unlocked to X4?! Is that common?!

I will try the new BIOS and more tweaking soon!

Let you know the results soon!

 

[Alienwho]

My X3 absolutely refuses to OC past 3.4Ghz, no matter the voltage or anything else. It stinks because at 3.4 it still has very low temps, like 34c full load. Luckily I was able to unlock the 4th core and get a solid overclock to 3.2 with 1.4 volts.

 

[Satsuki]

That's awesome! I guess, each (cpu) to their own. lol

What settings did you use in ACC? Auto, Per core, All cores? If applicable, what percentages? What are your specs?

Anyone else have a Phenom II X3 720? Or have experience with unlock/overclocking X2/X3s?

 

[soonerproud]

Auto is what will unlock the core, if it is not a bad core. You have to remember that many of those processors were made X3's because of a faulty core and ACC will not unlock it. It is like playing the lottery and you have to use older bios because ACC has been patched to prevent unlocking of cores in later bios versions.

Don't be sad if you can't unlock it. Just OC it and it will perform as well as a X4 955 in many gaming benchmarks.