Question about core unlocking

[Yuxxian]

So I recently discovered that the AMD Athlon II X4 640 in my system is actually the model that I can potentially unlock to a Phenom II X6 if I can unlock the cores. I found this out because CPU-Z lists my CPU as a Thuban core (rather than Propus, which is what a real 640 is made from) and as a 640"T" (rather than just 640).

 

To get to actually unlocking the disabled cores, though, I would need a motherboard that can support unlocking in the first place. Unfortunately, my motherboard is an OEM part from HP/Foxconn (Alvorix RS880 uATX), and as you can imagine, it doesn't have that magic unlocking bit of the equation (funnily enough, it seems the only reason I got a Thuban CPU in the first place is because it came from HP, who apparently did this a lot of times back then). I could buy a motherboard that does support core unlocking, but even if it was a used one having to buy one, coupled with the uncertainty of even successfully unlocking a core or two in the first place (effectively making my purchase useless), gives me reasons not to do so. 

 

So now on to my question: assuming I can find someone somewhere in Calgary with an AM3/AM3+ motherboard that supports core unlocking, would it be possible to unlock my Thuban in another guy's PC and then put it back in my PC with the unlock still on?

 

I know, it sounds like a lot of work compared to just buying a motherboard outright, but unlocking the CPU is not actually that high on my list of things to do. If I can do it, great, I'll go over to a guy's house and get it done. If it doesn't work, oh well, important thing is it only really cost me time instead of money to find out.

 

Thanks for your attention

[harrynowl]

X4 640 is propus yes?

 

it's fully enabled K10.5 no L3 cache

 

you need Zosma to get x6 capability.

[LeStringMan]

2 minutes ago, harrynowl said:

X4 640 is propus yes?

 

it's fully enabled K10.5 no L3 cache

 

you need Zosma to get x6 capability.

Some X4 640 are Zosma, and will unlock to six cores.

[harrynowl]

Just now, LeStringMan said:

Some X4 640 are Zosma, and will unlock to six cores.

ah yes. I wasn't aware there were zosma x4 640s. I knew some c2 type ones could be deneb 

 

and no OP, core unlocking (ACC I think it's called) is a feature that is only active as long asi t's enabled on the board. msi, gigabyte and asrock 9xx series boards support it, although I can tell you a fact the 970-ud3p doesn't unlock zosmas. 

[LeStringMan]

1 minute ago, harrynowl said:

ah yes. I wasn't aware there were zosma x4 640s. I knew some c2 type ones could be deneb 

 

and no OP, core unlocking (ACC I think it's called) is a feature that is only active as long asi t's enabled on the board. msi, gigabyte and asrock 9xx series boards support it, although I can tell you a fact the 970-ud3p doesn't unlock zosmas. 

if you are interested the 640s in question are part number ADX640WFK42GR, Revision E0, for whatever reason they are only found in OEM desktops, i guess AMD couldn't produce enough of the normal 640 which usually are ADX640WFK42GM???, anywho these Zosma 640s can be found on ebay in the 40 dollar range, but they do not seem to pop up too often.

[Yuxxian]

11 minutes ago, Megasteel32 said:

An article from 2010 answers your question: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/256683-29-does-stay-unlocked-changing-mobos

 

TL;DR: no, the unlocking relies on the motherboard, so if you change the motherboard to your current one after it was unlocked then the cpu cores will relock.

Oh well, c'est la vie. Was worth a shot, but considering I bought the system used for only 40 CAD, I could probably stomach sinking another 40 on a motherboard and try my luck there.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied

[harrynowl]

Just now, Yuxxian said:

Oh well, c'est la vie. Was worth a shot, but considering I bought the system used for only 40 CAD, I could probably stomach sinking another 40 on a motherboard and try my luck there.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied

If it unlocks to an X6 it's well worth $40. 

[harrynowl]

5 minutes ago, LeStringMan said:

if you are interested the 640s in question are part number ADX640WFK42GR, Revision E0, for whatever reason they are only found in OEM desktops, i guess AMD couldn't produce enough of the normal 640 which usually are ADX640WFK42GM???, anywho these Zosma 640s can be found on ebay in the 40 dollar range, but they do not seem to pop up too often.

Thanks for the info. I still regret selling my gold 960t  

[LeStringMan]

5 minutes ago, harrynowl said:

Thanks for the info. I still regret selling my gold 960t  

Yea its funny this thread popped up because earlier this week one of these 640s was on ebay with a buy now for 34.99 and i just missed out on getting it lol. Then i lined up a deal with a guy to trade my xbox 360 games and some other junk to a 1090t MSI board and 12 gigs of ram, and we agreed to the deal, all that was left was to arrange the time to meet up and make the trade, and the guy hasn't texted me back for two days, which is fun.