Unlocked Cpu's

[lkm972]

Right now on my rig, I'm running a 2600+ athlon mobile with an unlocked multiplier{yes, it's old as dust but works fine & oc'd for more than four years now and only cost $99 brand new}. Just wondering if any offerings from amd or intel offer unlocked multipliers for cheap.

 

[kotrtim]

The only cheap unlocked processor I could think of is 5000+ X2 Black Edition. Most of the Intel overclocks are done by increasing FSB even though its multiplier locked. I don't see any problem overclocking FSB with a good motherboard. Intel Core 2 is currently the most overclock-able x86 processor.

 

[lkm972]

yeah, almost all but super expensive desktop cpu's are locked. That was also the case four years ago, however the laptop/mobile cpus were not because of needing to save power etc etc. Just wondering if any laptop cpus out there can be done this way.

edit: all google search gives me is way to unlock my iphone.

 

[runawayprisoner]

For Intel CPUs, there is a maximum multiplier value, and all values lower than that, but higher than 6 is settable on quite a few boards. If you want a processor with very high multipliers, opt for the Extreme series.

 

[kotrtim]

But extreme series is not "cheap" anymore. When you plan to overclock, buy the cheaper processor and try to squeeze out the performance of the expensive processor (on air). IIRC, extreme has unlocked multiplier?

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: kotrtim
IIRC, extreme has unlocked multiplier?

I think you're correct.
A friend of mine has an X6800 & it has an unlocked multiplier.
I have the opportunity to get a QX6700 & it has an unlocked multiplier as well.
I think they're overkill for most people & the QX6700 is a power hog. I'll probably pass on it.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

The black edition AMD processors have unlocked multipliers for the same price as unlocked.

 

[Aluvus]

All Extreme (Pentium Extreme Edition, Core 2 Extreme, etc.) products have unlocked multipliers, but they are not cheap. None of Intel's other desktop offerings are unlocked.

AMD's Black Edition (and older FX) products are also unlocked. And again, their other desktop products are locked.

Both manufacturers have now moved their mobile products to different sockets from their desktop products, so that option is basically gone now.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: kotrtim
I don't see any problem overclocking FSB with a good motherboard.

I think this is true for most processors. My C2D 6600 craps out well before the motherboard and ram do, so having an unlocked multiplier would do literally nothing positive. The processor maxes out at 310mhz fsb (2.8ghz) but the "shitty" motherboard I have goes up to 350 before the drives disappear. A good motherboard will push 400..... 450.. 500?

There's really no need for unlocked processors. Motherboards/chipsets of today don't suck as bad as they did 5 years ago.

 

[Negronpope]

Black Edition 5000+ processors are unlocked as are Black Edition Phenoms, but the 6400+ doesn't appear to be (unlocked). I used to have an Athlon Mobile XP3000+ (which overclocked to 2.4-2.5 MHz), so I know why you've been satisfied with your current processor. Currently, I've got a 5000+ (at 3.1 MHz). It's a good processor and it can be had for $96 (at antaresdigital.com). You'll really like the boost in speed that an A64 provides (over an AthlonXP). Good luck.