[SLRInfinity]

Hey guys, i dunno if this is the right place to post i just joined the forum, so i have a problem, a real big problem. Some days ago i bought AMD PHENOM II x4 955 Black edition and the AM2+ ASRock mother board, so the processor have a big problem i mean it works just 1 core, not 4. i mean the entire processor is 3200, and it works just on 800. HOW CAN I MAKE IT WORK WITH ALL THE CORES ???? PLEASE HEEEEEELP..... I Don't want to lose this processor T_T

[zyper95]

What is the exact model of your motherboard? Did you check if your motherboard supports AMD Phenom processors?

[SLRInfinity]

Yes it supports.

[Mosquito555]

Wait, wait, wait!

Do not panic. Try this first:

Open device manager (I don't know which OS you are running, on XP you can right click on my computer/properties/hardware/device manager, on Vista right click on my computer and click on manage).

Once you are there, click the "+" icon on the processors section in order to expand the list. How many processors can you see there?

If you just see one then we may need to follow a different troubleshooting procedure. If you can see all four cores then things are very simple and you shouldn't worry. I'll explain it later.

[SLRInfinity]

I see 4 processors. But it's like just one of them is working. DAMN

EDIT: BTW I HAVE Windows 7 Ultimate x86 (32 bit), CMON PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME T_T

[Mosquito555]

Ok, everything is fine. Don't worry!

Let me explain it a bit:

A multicore processor's speed isn't the total of the speeds of each individual core. So, each core is supposed to work at 3,2 Ghz, it's not something like 3200/4 = 800 Mhz.

Since you can see all four cores under device manager then you are fine, the CPU is correctly identified by your motherboard's BIOS and all four cores are working.

Here's what happens in your case:

Modern processors are designed in such a way that they will underclock (aka reduce their speed in Mhz) when they are not used, in order to save power and keep their temperatures low. So, when you are in Windows, your CPU will run at 800 Mhz.

When however you start an application that requires more processing power, your CPU will speed up to 3,2 Ghz. This technology is called "AMD Cool 'n' quiet" and it's implemented on every Phenom II.

In your case, it's just a coincidence that 4x800=3200. My Phenom II x3 720 runs at 2,8 Ghz. When I enable Cool 'n' Quiet it will run at 800 Mhz. As you can see, 3x800=2400, not 2800. As I said, every Phenom II will do that, don't worry.

You can download an application that monitors the CPU speed if you want to see for yourself. CPU-Z will do that:

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Install CPU-Z. You will see that the processor still runs at 800 Mhz. Leave CPU-Z open and run a CPU heavy application like a game. While the game is still running, press Alt+Tab and check what CPU-Z reports. You will see that it reports 3,2 Ghz which is the full speed of your processor.

You can of course disable Cool 'n' Quiet via your BIOS. There's no reason to do that though, leaving it enabled will make your machine run cooler and emit less noise since the CPU fan won't have to work at full speed.

[SLRInfinity]

BTW I have the program (the first time i wrote problem sry) So i'll tell u how's working. Thanx a lot.

[Mosquito555]

No problem...

Even if you disabled Cool 'n' Quiet there could be other BIOS settings that force the CPU to work at lower speeds.

Try CPU-Z, if your processor reaches 3,2Ghz then you are fine, don't worry.

If nothing of what I suggested works then please post the exact name of your motherboard or a link to its specifications if possible. There's always a slight chance that your CPU isn't correctly identified but usually problems like this can be easily fixed by updating the BIOS.

[SLRInfinity]

OK man, i tried but nothing, i opened CPU-Z and a heavy game like GTA IV. That requires a big system to play it. So i put on ALT+TAB to see the CPU-Z menu when i was in the desktop and it was the same. I mean 800 mhz.

The entire name of the mother board is ASRock N68PV-GS AM3 CPU READY ( AM2+ it's wrote on the CPU-Z ) this is the motheboard.

website : http://www.asrock.com/MB/overview.asp?Model=N68PV-GS
screen : http://www.championsupply.net/img/p/...2-thickbox.jpg

EDIT: I tried to overclock it, i mean how u said force the CPU, overclock it, my pc was going crazy when i've done it. CPU-Z doesn't even show me 3.2 ghz T_T

[Mosquito555]

Ok, I may have some bad news...

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Phenom II x4 955 is not listed on your motherboard's CPU support list:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/cpu.asp?Model=N68PV-GS&s=AM2

You could try updating the BIOS, if you are lucky the CPU may be identified as a Phenom II x4 945 which seems to be supported since BIOS v 1.60.

If they sold you both parts as compatible with each other, you should get the board and CPU back and ask for a refund or at least an exchange with a compatible processor or motherboard.

Now, if you willingly bought the parts I'm afraid there's not much to be done...

You can:

1) Update to the latest BIOS and hope that the CPU will run on the speed of a PII x4 945.

2) Return the CPU if possible and get the 945 instead.

3) Return or buy a new motherboard that's compatible. If you are willing to do that stay away from Asrock, get something from MSI or Gigabyte instead, they have some really good motherboards for low prices.

Remember, always check the CPU support list before buying a motherboard or processor.

I'm really sorry mate...

[SLRInfinity]

No problem man. BTW When i bought the motherboard i told'em, it's working with AMD .... 955 ... , the guy said yes it's working with no problem. This Monday im going to change the motherboard. Damn i'm really angry with that shop.

EDIT: BTW THANX FOR ALL MAN. Sometimes i guess i need your help, can u give me your msn adress, i mean live.com or hotmail. So we can talk.

[Mosquito555]

Yeah, that was very unprofessional and stupid of them. Demand a replacement, it's their mistake after all.

Now, as I said, try to avoid Asrock. Check this board if possible:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-395-_-Product

As you can see it supports your CPU since BIOS v F3 and it's quite cheap:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...3138#anchor_os

With a bit of luck you may get the board with the BIOS v F3 already installed by the manufacturer. If the board has the v F1 BIOS there are two possible scenarios:

1) The board won't boot at all. In that case you must use a CPU that is supported by BIOS v F1, update the BIOS and then install your Phenom II.

2) Your computer will boot but your processor won't be correctly identified. In that case you just need to install the latest BIOS and you will be fine.

Note that BIOS updating can be a tricky procedure as a failed BIOS update attempt may render a motherboard unusable. However, I like Gigabyte's boards because the BIOS can be updated easily in a matter of minutes.

In any case, it wouldn't hurt asking the shop if they can update the BIOS for you. If you decide to update the BIOS yourself, avoid Windows based BIOS updating utilities. Use the good old DOS method or if you buy a Gigabyte board, use the QFlash utility.

This may be helpful:

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios...h-guide-27576/

[zyper95]

There are some shops who doesn't really know about computer parts and it's supported hardware. It is better to check out first the manufacturers website of the motherboards and processors to check what are the supported parts so it will not waste your time when purchasing them.

[jack-o-bytes]

Why don't you just get a nice Asus motherboard they are better and higher quality that Asrock and Gigabyte. Look at something like this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172846#

[Mosquito555]

Originally Posted by jack-o-bytes

Why don't you just get a nice Asus motherboard they are better and higher quality that Asrock and Gigabyte.

May I ask why?

Well, Asrock is in fact owned by Asus, it's their budget products division. So yeah, pretty much anything is better than Asrock...

But does Asus make better products than Gigabyte? Where do you base that?

Don't get me wrong, Asus is a good company. I however doubt that their products are any better than Gigabyte's or even MSI's.