As part of this little material, an operation that is quite complicated at first glance and will be considered as unlocking the cores. Possible ways of its implementation will be given and recommendations will be given as to which one to choose in each specific situation. Additionally, the names of the microprocessor model families on which it can be implemented will be listed.
Appointment
Unlocking cores that were originally deactivated by the microprocessor manufacturer can improve the speed of the computing system by utilizing program code processing resources that are not used in the nominal mode of operation. As a rule, developers create certain modifications of semiconductor crystals. Further, due to the disconnection of certain components, intermediate CPU models are formed.
For example, the microprocessor was originally equipped with two modules for processing code. Then, due to deactivation at the program level of one of them, a low-performance single-core CPU is obtained. Physically, the computing unit remains and is disabled at the BIOS system level. That is, due to the modification of the software it can be involved in the future during operation.
Which company chips are suitable?
Today, only one manufacturer's semiconductor chips are suitable for operations such as unlocking cores. AMD is a company that until recently has massively resorted to deactivating various elements of a microprocessor system.
Intel, in turn, does not practice this approach. Its chips are equipped by default with the maximum number of code processing blocks. That is, if the Pentium chip has two physical modules for performing operations, then it simply does not exist of deactivated elements.
Microprocessor models
Currently, unlocking cores is possible on such chip models only for the AM3 computer platform:
- Septron entry-level CPU. All chips of this series are equipped by default with two physical blocks for processing program code. Younger single-core devices in this case are obtained by deactivating one computing module.
- Microprocessors of the Athlon II series. In this case, you can get full four-block CPUs from two and three nuclear chips. Again, if this also activates the third level of the cache, then the processor can turn into a full-fledged Phenom II. In this case, the overall performance of the PC will increase significantly.
- Computing devices of the Phenom II series, by analogy with the CPUs of the Athlon II line with 2 or 3 units for the implementation of computing operations, can be converted into full-fledged 4-module chips.
In the framework of the later computing platforms of AMD AM3 + and AM4, this practice did not receive further development. That is, all computing blocks of chips are activated by default initially. The only way to increase performance in this case is to overclock the CPU.
Unlock Methods
The operation considered in this review can be performed in two ways. One of them is that the BIOS is used. Motherboard manufacturers recommended using ACC (AMD chipsets) and UCC (NVidia logic sets) for these purposes. Again, this option is only available on new models of devices that were released in 2012 or later.
The second option to activate disabled computing elements of the CPU is a program to unlock the processor cores. In this case, you can use unused microprocessor elements on any model of the motherboard, including those that were released earlier than 2012.
We use BIOS. Application features
Quite simply, with the help of the BIOS, the kernel is unlocked. AMD in motherboards since 2012, as previously noted, has provided for this purpose a separate item - ACC.
The algorithm for enabling disabled elements in this case is as follows:
- When the computer starts, press the Del button when a test page appears.
- In the initial BIOS window, select the Advanced item using the navigation keys.
- Next, we find the ACC item and transfer it from the Disabled state to Enabled.
- Using the F10 button, we exit the BIOS. At the same time, do not forget to save the changes.
- After loading the computer, we check the resources of the PC and test its performance. If for some reason the computer system does not boot or is unstable, then using the JP1 switch, reset the BIOS to its original state.
We use specialized software
Now let's look at the example of Core Unlocker from ASUS, which program can be used to unlock the cores. In this case, the order of activation of the deactivated elements is as follows:
- Download the necessary specialized software from the official website of the motherboard manufacturer. Install it.
- Next, you need to run this software. Then, using special switches in the software interface, we activate certain hardware elements.
- Next, we test and verify the stability of the PC. If problems arise during the operation of the computer, then we return everything to its original state.
Checking PC performance after activating additional CPU modules
After the unlocking of the processor cores was completed in full, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive check of the computing system for stability and reliability. To do this, you must first install and run the CPU-Z program. In its main tab, we look at the characteristics of the chip.
Next, you need to install the utility for comprehensive performance testing of the AIDA 64 personal computer. After its launch, we carry out a test of stability and reliability of the PC. If the computer during the test begins to function unstably, then turn it off and reset it using the BIOS setup switch.
Which method is preferable?
If the computer has an old modification of the motherboard, which was released before 2012, then you can use specialized software. But on newer versions of such components, you can use any way to enable deactivated microprocessor components. But it is preferable to use the BIOS system. This method is more reliable and secure.
Conclusion
In this material, an algorithm was described for performing such an operation as software unlocking of cores in AMD processors. This is the only manufacturer of microprocessor technology that has allowed such use of its equipment. This practice is widespread for socket AM3. But then in the framework of AM3 + and AM4 it went into oblivion.