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AMD Socket AM3: X2 550 Black Edition Review Testing Methodology: For the purposes of our testing, we will be using the below setup:
Just like with all of the other AMD testing we have done, we will be tackling a complete suite of CPU benchmarks in order to really get a feel as to where the X2 550 sits in the marketplace. Overclocking: Overclocking the Phenom II X2 550 was accomplished using both BIOS and AMD's OverDrive. With the XT-1264, we had an amazingly low load temp of 28C, which only further increased our hope of achieving some good clocks. So far, with the Phenom II Black Editions, we have had maximum overclocks right in the 3.7GHz-3.8GHz range, using voltages right around 1.5V. With the X2 550, we hit a max stable clock of 3.9GHz at a mere 1.45V. Of course, the big question is going to be about core unlocking. As any enthusiast is already aware, some core unlocking was achieved with various levels of success with the X3 720 BE. While AMD has made attempts to force motherboard makers to "fix" their BIOS in order to block core unlocking, some manufacturers have blatantly refused to comply. Fortunately for us, Gigabyte is one of those manufacturers. Initially, we were running with the F5C BIOS, and when we had no luck unlocking cores, I went searching. Luckily, the latest official BIOS, gave us the options we needed. So how does one go about unlocking? Simple as 1-2-3!
Immediately we tested all four cores to 3.9GHz at 1.5V, and amazingly, all passed a quick run of LinX. The most amazing aspect of all this is the fact that we achieved this on air cooling, while previous CPUs were tested on water cooling. Of course, there are no guarantees for anyone whether or not the unlocked cores will even work, or how well they can clock. The other problem with enabling all cores is that on-die temperature readings are rendered useless, reporting a temp of -255C.
An interesting side note about the core unlocking; when all four cores are enabled, CPU-z reports the model number to be an "X4 B50 Processor". In all likelihood, this is probably an internal AMD code name for the fully functional die. Now let's get on with the testing...
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