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Unlocking Athlon II / Phenom II cores and L3 cache
AMD K10 family includes 12 desktop Sempron, Athlon II and Phenom II families, which differ from each other by the number of cores - from 1 to 6, the size of L2 cache - 512 KB or 1 MB per core, and the size of L3 cache - from 4 to 6 MB L3 cache or no cache at all. It's interesting that this variety of microprocessor families with different features is derived from just four base cores:
- Regor - 2 cores, 1 MB L2 cache per core, no L3 cache
- Propus - 4 cores, 512 KB L2 cache per core, no L3 cache
- Deneb - 4 cores, 512 KB L2 cache per core, 6 MB L3 cache
- Thuban - 6 cores, 512 KB L2 cache per core, 6 MB L3 cache
All other K10 cores are created from 4 base cores by disabling one or more CPU features. For example, Athlon II family is based on Regor, however it has one CPU core disabled. The table below summarizes what features are disabled for which family:
| Family | Standard features | Base core | Disabled features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlon X2 Models 5000 and 5200 only (XXXXX AC) | 2 cores 2 x 512 KB L2 cache No L3 cache | Deneb | 3rd and 4th core 6 MB L3 cache |
| Sempron Single-core models | 1 core 1 MB L2 cache No L3 cache | Regor | 2nd core |
| Athlon II | 1 core 1 MB L2 cache No L3 cache | Regor | 2nd core |
| Athlon II X2 (XXXXX AC) | 2 cores 2 x 512 KB L2 cache No L3 cache | Deneb | 3rd and 4th cores 6 MB L3 cache |
| Athlon II X3 (XXXXX AC) | 3 cores 3 x 512 KB L2 cache No L3 cache | Deneb | 4th core 6 MB L3 cache |
| Athlon II X3 (XXXXX AD) | 3 cores 3 x 512 KB L2 cache No L3 cache | Propus | 4th core |
| Athlon II X4 (XXXXX AC) | 4 cores 4 x 512 KB L2 cache No L3 cache | Deneb | 6 MB L3 cache |
| Athlon II X4 (XXXXX CB) | 4 cores 4 x 512 KB L2 cache No L3 cache | Thuban | 5th and 6th core 6 MB L3 cache |
| Phenom II X2 (XXXXX AC) | 2 cores 2 x 512 KB L2 cache 6 MB L3 cache | Deneb | 3rd and 4th core |
| Phenom II X3 | 3 cores 3 x 512 KB L2 cache 6 MB L3 cache | Deneb | 4th core |
| Phenom II X4 8xx series (XXXXX AC) | 4 cores 4 x 512 KB L2 cache 4 MB L3 cache | Deneb | extra 2 MB of L3 cache |
| Phenom II X4 (XXXXX CB) | 4 cores 4 x 512 KB L2 cache 6 MB L3 cache | Thuban | 5th and 6th core |
Identifying underlying base core is easy from the markings on the CPU. The first (line) line of markings contains family name. The second line has OEM part number. The third line, highlighted on the picture below, contains stepping code:
One of the most important parts of this line are two letters in the middle. These letters are used to determine base core:
- AC - Deneb
- AD - Propus
- AE - Regor
- CB - Thuban
As an example, the pictured Sempron on the picture above has "AE" letters, i.e. it is based on the Regor core, and, as such, has one CPU core disabled. The pictured Athlon II X3 has "AD" letters, which means that the base core is Propus.
There are two major reasons why certain features are disabled on AMD processors. Cache memory and extra cores on these microprocessors could be disabled due to internal core or memory defects, or to meet market demand. Unfortunately, it's not possible to tell whether the features were locked down because the core or cache memory didn't pass quality assurance tests, or because high-profile OEM company needed a large number of cheap parts with fewer cores and/or smaller size of cache. The good news is that often it is possible to unlock the disabled features. To do this go into BIOS, and look for "Advanced Clock Calibration" feature. It's very likely that you will find it in Advanced tab on the "CPU Configuration" screen. Set this feature to "auto" and reboot the computer. If the computer hangs and doesn't want to post then clear CMOS memory. If it still doesn't work you may try to increase the core and NorthBridge voltage a little bit. Be careful with voltage increases - running the CPU outside of specifications will void your warranty. Once you have the core and/or memory unlocked, run memory and CPU intensive test to confirm that the CPU indeed doesn't have any noticeable defects. We've heard a rumors that unlocking CPU features may kill the CPU and/or motherboard, but we've never seen a proof of it. So far we tried to unlock from 20 to 30 processors from different Sempron, Athlon II and Phenom II families, and in the worst case we had to reboot the system. In our experiments we've seen more than 50% success rate. Your mileage may vary.
Below is a list of different models that can be unlocked, and how BIOS identifies them:
| Processor model | CPU name |
|---|---|
| Athlon X2 5000 (XXXXX AC) | AMD Phenom(tm) FX-5000 Quad-Core Processor |
| Athlon X2 5200 (XXXXX AC) | AMD Phenom(tm) FX-5200 Quad-Core Processor |
| Sempron 130 | AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 4300e Processor |
| Sempron 140 | AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 4400e Processor |
| Athlon II 160u | AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 260u Processor |
| Athlon II 170u | AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 270u Processor |
| Athlon II X3 400e | AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 6400e Processor |
| Athlon II X3 405e | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B05e Processor |
| Athlon II X3 415e | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B15e Processor |
| Athlon II X3 425 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B25 Processor |
| Athlon II X3 435 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B35 Processor |
| Athlon II X3 440 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B40 Processor |
| Athlon II X3 445 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B45 Processor |
| Athlon II X3 450 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B50 Processor |
| Athlon II X3 455 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B55 Processor |
| Athlon II X4 620 | AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 620 Processor |
| Athlon II X4 640 (ADX640WFK42GR) | AMD Phenom II X6 1405T |
| Phenom II X2 545 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B45 Processor |
| Phenom II X2 550 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B50 Processor |
| Phenom II X2 555 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B55 Processor |
| Phenom II X2 560 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B60 Processor |
| Phenom II X2 565 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B65 Processor |
| Phenom II X2 570 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 B70 Processor |
| Phenom II X2 B53 | AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 553 Processor |
| Phenom II X3 700e | ??? |
| Phenom II X3 705e | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 05e Processor |
| Phenom II X3 710 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 20 Processor |
| Phenom II X3 720 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 20 Processor |
| Phenom II X3 740 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 40 Processor |
| Phenom II X4 650T | AMD Phenom II X6 1505T |
| Phenom II X4 805 | ??? |
| Phenom II X4 810 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 810 Processor |
| Phenom II X4 820 | AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 820 Processor |
| Phenom II X4 960T | Phenom II X6 1605T |
| Phenom II X4 970 (HDZ970FBK4DGR) | ??? |
And, finally, CPU-Z screenshots of some unlocked processors:
Unlocked Athlon II X3 400e:
Unlocked Athlon II X3 405e:
Unlocked Phenom II X2 550 (C3 core revision):
Unlocked Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition (C3 core revision):
Unlocked Phenom II X3 740 Black Edition:
Unlocked Phenom II X4 820 (not Black Edition):
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Maybe some error in the first table?
Athlon x2 should be Athlon II x2
Phenom II x6 9xxT should be Phenom II x4 9xxT
Right?
Athlon II x2 L2 cache
Athlon II x2 L2 cache should be 2x1MB , not 2x512kb.
Please verify.
Whats going on ?
I unlocked mine from what it say's here, but in cpu-z it shows 831mhz ??
Am i missing something here ?
I have a AMD ADX440WFK32GI Athlon II X3 440 Triple Core Processor - 3.00GHz, Socket AM3, 1.5MB Cache With a Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H Motherboard.
Response to chaosmountain
That's normal, because cool n quiet feature is on.
This list is a little misleading...
Your Athlon X2 should read Athlon II X2 (with no 5000 number - unless you are referring to older 65nm Athlon X2's which aren't based on Deneb core). The base core for almost all Athlon II X2's should be "Regor"... BUT, some Athlon II's are based on a cut down Deneb core (*i am pretty sure*) are all CPU's with the "MBOX" at the end of the model number.
Also, any core with a "T" in the model name are based on newest "Thuban" core... so your 9XXT at the bottom of the list should have base core listed as "Thuban".
I came here to see which Athlon II X2's (no L3) are unlockable to Deneb (6MB L3) core.
chaosmountain post
Thats your CPU's Cool'n'Quiet support running, disable in bios, could be called something else...
Declocks your CPU via motherboard multiplyers to save thermal heat and power.
Unlocked Athlon X3 445
My unlocking went as a breeze with a ASROCK A790 GMH/128M, just put ACC to "AUTO" and that was it.
In addition itīs overclocked to 3.25 ghz.
Works 24/7 with stock cooler, I never shut off my PC, always connected. Couldnīt be better.
700e
the Phenom II X3 turns into:
Phenom II X4 8700e
Phenom II 560 ==> B60.
HDZ560WFK2DGM, CACDC AC 1051FPM, 9P17413A10496
on ASROCK N68-GE3 UCC.
Athlon II X4 640 (ADX640WFK42GR)
Athlon II X4 640 (ADX640WFK42GR) to phenom II X6 unknown model
asus M4A785TD-M EVO
unloced 6cores
Well, it worked! today unlocked the extra 2 cores on AMD Phenom II x4 960T and am now AMD Phenom II x6 1605T and all on board Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P.
I unlocked Phenom II x4 960T to Phenom X6 1605 with asrock 870 Extreme 3 R2.0 .
CPU list
The above list is CPUs with unlockable cores. The Athlon II X2 Regor has no unlockable cores and is not on the above list. The Athlon II X2 Regor does have 2MB L2 cache though.
unlock CPU core
The MSI 760GM-E51 (FX) motherboard have this feature to unlock CPU core.
Read here:
www.msi. com/ product/ mb/ 760GM-E51--FX-. html
remove the spaces
Can anyone make a list of which motherboard has this feature? Thanks
Phenom II X4 970 (also 975,965)
Black edition models:
965 @ 3.4 GHz
970 @ 3.5 GHz
975 @ 3.6 GHz
Re:
I forgot to say that this is a great article. I have posted in one of forums I am in. Thanks
unlocking cpu cores on AMD Phenom II
Can you unlock the AMD Phenom II X4 840?
4 core thuban?
Is this possible?
I have 4 core phenom 960T but CPU-Z says "Code name: Thuban"
my unlocking stats
my results with core unlocking
of 5 x3 720 cpu that i tried 100% unlocked to black edition quad core.
of 3 960T that i tried one unlocked to six core.
of 2 x2 555 both unlocked to quad core.
of 5 amd sempron 130 and 140 models all unlocked to dual core.
wish i had better luck with the 960T
but overall i can not complain one bit.
your results may vary
good luck.
Athlon II x2 220
I have read a few threads that have said it is possible to unlock 2 more cores on this processor and a 6mb L3 cache, but have thus far had no luck in accomplishing this task. I have also not been able to locate any options in the BIOS to even overclock the processor.
Phenom II X4 960T
Successfully unlock one additional core on a Phenom II X4 960T. Unlocking all 6 resulted in a reboot while booting Linux.
The Sempron 145 turns into:
Athlon II x2 4450e
AMD Athlon II X3 @ phaenom X4 B60
ASUS m5a88m evo
AMD Athlon II X3 460 3,4Ghz rana @ phaenom X4 B60 propus
Stable work. Long live AMD
Athlon x3 455 unlocked Successfully and stablily
Thumbs up to AMD! i successfully unlocked my athlon x3 455 rana to a phenom x4 b55 and clocked it from 3.3ghz to 3.5ghz i know it can go higher but i kept it safe.
The motherboard that unlocked it was a ASRock n68c-s ucc
For Ģ62.30 its a bargin for a quad core thats capable of being clocked to 4.0 ghz i would even try it with a stock cooler lol
Phenom II X3 B73
You may want to add this to the chart, it unlocks to:
Phenom II X4 973
Well...theoretically. I tried it on my Biostar A880GU3 motherboard, it works from the BIOS almost all the time and *once* I got it to boot into the OS. However the OS hangs at boot most of the time and every once in a while the board will come up with "ACC Failed, press F2 to set BIOS to defaults".
So I guess I'm out of luck. Oh well.
Not so fast on my last comment...
ACC has several settings. I tried "Auto".
However I tried "Manual" which will allow you to overclock/underclock each core, a link on the web indicated the core might be stable if underclocked. The "hidden" core at 0% underclock/overclock wouldn't boot the OS. Neither would -2% or -4%. I did get into the OS at -6% but had a non-responsive pointer.
At -8% everything seems fine though. I'm testing all cores with cpuburn, no failures, so it looks like this is a winner. A -8% clock puts the hidden core at 2.576 GHz, not too shabby!