Earlier in January there was already was a rumor about a new Phenom II processor clocked at 3.1 GHz for launch in April 2009. That processor woould be tagged as Phenom II X4 950.

While that SKU not even arrived in the market, a second rumor just popped up. AMD will be releasing a Phenom II X4 955.

The X4 955 would be launched with a clock frequency of 3.2GHz AMD’s making it AMD’s fastest quadcore, the processor would get 6MB L3-cache, 2MB L2-cache and of course would be seated on socket AM3. AMD might simply cancel that 950, as it turns out, AMDs yields are much better then expected. The X4 955 would get a maximum 125W TPD.

It is not exactly a secret that Phenom Triple core processors in fact are a quad-core processor with one core disabled.  Now before we begin out little tail and you storm off to the stores, realize this .. one core being disabled is always for a reason. It might be a problematic core, slightly instable or just downright damaged. But if you are in luck, the 4th core works properly.  And now let me continue my little tail ..

A Korean user has discovered that it is rather easy to unlock the disabled core on Phenom II X3 processors, provided the motherboard supports the Advanced Clock Calibration (ACC) feature (790GX motherboards) and this trick seems to work with Triple core Phenom II X3 720 and Phenom II X3 710, codename Heka.

Only with the 904xxxx-stepping; this tweak seems to work, not with 0849xxxx. On an ASUS motherboard this little trick did not work, but it’s confirmed to work on 790 motherboards from Biostar and Asrock.

In this example a Phenom II X3 710 was paired with a Biostar TA790GX 128M motherboard. The CPU was overclocked to 3.12 GHz, with a vCore setting of 1.37 V.

Here’s what you could try out:

Set the appropriate BIOS setting for the Advanced Clock Calibration feature to “Auto”, save settings and restart. The system will be able to deal with the disabled core, and off load some work to it. The processor with the “additional” core was tested to be Prime95 stable and was able to boost 3DMark06 CPU score by as much as 1,000 points.

For those interested, the Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz sells for $149.99

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OCZ released two new dual-channel 4GB Black Edition DDR3 memory kits for AMD’s Phenom II processors, these modules run at 1600MHz and are available with CL7 or CL8 latencies.

OCZ Technology Group, a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today expanded their lineup of DDR3 to include certified OCZ Black Edition 4GB kits for ultimate compatibility with AMD’s next-generation Phenom® II processors. These modules excel on Black Edition platforms at ultra-low voltage, an ideal parameter for the latest highly efficient processors. OCZ’s unique Black Edition Series is designed to be the ultimate upgrade for users who not only want to reap the benefits of high-frequency DDR3, but want a future-proof choice for their system.

“OCZ is excited to launch our new AMD Black Edition Ready Series which is designed specifically to work with AMD’s OverDrive™ software utility,” said Eugene Chang, Vice President of Product Management at the OCZ Technology Group. “The new OCZ Black Edition modules not only interact with AOD to overclock the memory, but also communicate with the BIOS to increase the frequency and performance of the memory controller. The result is a symbiotic relationship between memory and the rest of the system to unleash the full power of the Dragon Platform.”

“We are thrilled to see OCZ develop the Black Edition modules exclusively for Socket AM3 platforms featuring AMD Phenom™ II processors,” said Bob Grim, Director, Client Product Marketing, AMD. “By supporting AMD Black Edition Memory Profiles, OCZ enables overclockers to achieve higher levels of performance intelligently through dynamic profiles as opposed to simple, static SPD parameters.”

OCZ Black Edition kits are tested and qualified specifically for AMD’s own “Black Edition” Phenom CPU’s for ultimate performance and stability. Featuring the exclusive AMD OverDrive™ (AOD) feature, users can unleash the remote stored profiles when used with 790FX / 790GX motherboards, giving the cutting-edge with instant “plug and play” functionality. This highly advanced AOD feature detects your OCZ Black Edition RAM when used in conjunction with certified motherboards and processors, where the data is then sent to a remote AMD server to download the correct profiles and get your system up and running at its peak. Eliminating the need for manual overclocking, the AOD does all the work for you as you charge through your games and computing tasks.

OCZ Black Edition modules feature the high densities and blazing DDR3 speeds enthusiasts and gamers demand to make the most of the graphic-intensive PC titles and applications, and will be available as DDR3 PC3-12800 4GB kits operating at 1.65V. Each module comes with an exclusive AMD-branded XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heat spreader and is backed by the industry-leading OCZ Lifetime Warranty and technical support for unparalleled peace of mind.

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A page at MSI’s website accidentally reveals details about AMD’s upcoming triple and quad-core Athlon II CPUs.

All of these processors have one thing in common: they lack L3 cache, unlike their Phenom II brethren. (Even the dual-core Phenom II X2 550 carries 6MB of L3.) That omission should translate into lower clock-for-clock performance than triple- and quad-core Phenom IIs, but also lower prices. Reports from a few months back suggest that AMD may introduce these new CPUs in September.

Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before someone broke the 7GHz barrier with the AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE processor and it seems that the time has come.

(Click the above image for the large version)

At a recent overclocking event held by AMD in Finland, overclocker Massman and friends managed to push the Phenom II X4 955 chip right up to 7000.4 MHz. The results were accomplished by cranking the multiplier all the way up to 28 and cooling it down to below -230°C with the help of some liquid helium.

(Click the above image for the large version)

The team says there is a glitch with the validation and have a picture that proves it is in fact running at the claimed 7GHz speed. They are working with the guys on getting CPU-Z to properly validate the achievement.

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It looks like AMD is working a little bit harder to appease the overclocking community and have a chip that is supposed to be truly special.

(Click the above image for the large version)

The TWKR chips are hand picked and supposed to be capable of overclocking beyond what the Phenom II X4 955 has to offer. Not much is known about these yet, but it does appear that MAINGEAR PC was just delivered a few of these direct from AMD and will be putting them to the test soon and giving us some numbers. Until then, enjoy the pictures.

(Click the above image for the large version)

A Phenom II X4 processor without a model number? TWKR? What does it all mean? Well, AMD culled these parts from their Phenom II X4 line that are supposed to overclock beyond the capabilities of the Phenom II X4 955. They hand delivered these parts to us and we’re going to put them through the ringer. Will they come out the other side as something truly special? Should Dirk Meyer sign these before we put them in a system? We’ll let you know as soon as we put them through our brutal Redline validation process…

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After a nasty round of rumors that AMD was going to lock down the hidden cores on their Phenom II X2 and X3 CPUs AMD has come out and said they are not going to do that.

The unlocking of cores on the Phenom II X3 and X2 has become something of a fad with people buying them in the hopes of having a fully working Quad at the end of the day.

To AMD this is nothing serious as they view the unlocking of these cores as benign. Apparently they do not feel it hurts sales of the true quad core Phenom IIs.

Read more here.

Core unlocking, on the other hand, is seen by AMD as something that’s relatively benign, enabled in BIOS through ACC and giving users a shot at adding a bit of performance on the side. Anyone would be “lucky” if they managed to unlock all the cores on, say, a Phenom II X2, said Antal Tungler, Technical PR Manager for AMD in Euroland.

Ther real trick to core unlocking is in BIOS and using AMD Overdrive (AOD) 3.0. With AMD Overdrive you can tweak core performance individually, setting affinities and overclocking individual cores, or downclocking the unlocked ones to get a stable unlock.

The Phenom IIs in quad and three core variations are in the market for quite a while, and after months of wait AMD is ready to replace the old Athon X2 series, which latest incarnations are the 7750 and 7850.

The 7750 and 7850 were the last of 65nm K10 derived cores that sticked with us for quote a while but it was the time to replace Kuma with 45nm Rana. We were happy with the performance of the old ones, but power-consumption of Kuma 65nm dual core parts was sky-high. Now it’s time to check if that has changed with 45nm parts.

The Athlon X2 250 is actually Phenom II but crippled by disabling the L3 cache. It looks that Athlon X2 250 will have all four cores inside and you will have to try to find the way how to enable them. This time, instead of 512kB per core as you get with every other Phenom II, this little bugger has 1024kB on each of the two cores.

The TDP is rated of 65W, which is now at the same level compared to Intels E5, E7 and E8 series. The Phenom II 550 is quite the same as every Phenom II but with only two cores enabled, the VCore has been reduced to 1.3000V and the TDP also lowered to 80W. Phenom II 550 is based on Calisto, yet another harvested quad core where AMD dissabled two cores but it didn’t deactivated 6MB of L3 cache. Both CPUs are suited for AM3 and AM2+ boards.

Testbed:

Motherboard:
MSI 790GX-GD70 (AMD 790GX/SB750 based mainboard)
MSI DKA790GX (AMD 790GX/SB750 based mainboard)
ECS Elitegroup A790GXM-AD3 (AMD 790GX/SB750 based mainboard)

CPU:
AMD Athlon X2 4850e
AMD Athlon X2 7750
AMD Athlon X2 7850
AMD Athlon II X2 250
AMD Phenom II X2 550
Intel E7200

CPU-Cooler:
Scythe Kabuto

Memory:
Kingston 2GB Kit PC2-9600U KHX1200D2K2/2G
CL5-5-5-15 CR2T at 1.90V

Graphics Card:
MSI R4850-2D1G-OC

Power supply:
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 500W

Hard disk:
Western Digital WD4000KD

Case fans:
SilenX iXtrema Pro 14dB(A)
Scythe DFS122512LS

Case:
Cooler Master Stacker 831 Lite

OS:
Since we are still not fans of Vista, all tests are performed with XP SP3. As 64-bit software is still not very common, we stick with the 32-bit version.

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AMD is brewing up some new processors. The first is to be released next week and is the Phenom II X4 955 processor (April 23rd). This part should be a 125W TDP processor with a frequency of 3.2GHz, it will be the fastest chip in AMD’s lineup.

From what we heard is that the processor will be a Black Edition CPU which means unlocked. Pricing wise in the US expect roughly $300 for the CPU and in the EU €250.

On a second note, and it has been rumored a couple of times already yet, AMD’s upcoming 45nm Athlon X2 processors (Athlon X2 250) with a clockspeed of 3GHz will likely see the light in June. This Regor (asic name) based chip will have a TDP of 65W.