CPU locking
Encyclopedia
CPU locking is the process of permanently setting a CPU
's clock multiplier. AMD CPUs are unlocked in early editions of a model and locked in later editions, but nearly all Intel CPUs are locked and recent models are very resistant to unlocking to prevent overclocking
by users. AMD ships unlocked CPUs with their Opteron, FX and Black Series line-up, while Intel uses the moniker of "Extreme Edition." Intel usually has one or two Extreme Edition CPUs on the market, leading their range in clock speed and starting at $999-1499 USD as well as K series CPUs synonymous with AMD's black edition. AMD has the majority of their desktop range in a Black Edition, with very little price differences from the standard editions.
Users unlock CPUs to allow underclocking
, overclocking
, and front side bus
speed compatibility with certain motherboards, but unlocking invalidates the manufacturer's warranty and mistakes can cripple a CPU. However, locking a chip's clock multiplier does not necessarily prevent users from overclocking, as the speed of the front-side bus can still be changed to provide a performance increase. AMD Athlon and Athlon XP CPUs are generally unlocked by connecting bridges (jumper
-like points) on the top of the CPU with conductive paint or pencil lead
. Other CPU models (determinable by serial number) require different procedures to be unlocked.
One of the easiest ways to unlock an older AMD Athlon XP CPU was the pin mod method, because it was possible to unlock the CPU without a permanent modification of any bridges. Just putting one wire (or some more for a new multiplier/Vcore) into the socket would unlock the CPU.
http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/113011/index.html?cm_sp=homepage2011_top-_-AMD/113011-_-http%3a%2f%2fpromotions.newegg.com%2fAMD%2f113011%2fHomepage_696x288.jpg
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
's clock multiplier. AMD CPUs are unlocked in early editions of a model and locked in later editions, but nearly all Intel CPUs are locked and recent models are very resistant to unlocking to prevent overclocking
Overclocking
Overclocking is the process of operating a computer component at a higher clock rate than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer, but some manufacturers purposely underclock their components to improve battery life. Many people just overclock or 'rightclock' their hardware to...
by users. AMD ships unlocked CPUs with their Opteron, FX and Black Series line-up, while Intel uses the moniker of "Extreme Edition." Intel usually has one or two Extreme Edition CPUs on the market, leading their range in clock speed and starting at $999-1499 USD as well as K series CPUs synonymous with AMD's black edition. AMD has the majority of their desktop range in a Black Edition, with very little price differences from the standard editions.
Users unlock CPUs to allow underclocking
Underclocking
Underclocking, also known as downclocking, is the practice of modifying a synchronous circuit's timing settings to run at a lower clock rate than it was specified to operate at. It may be said to be the computer equivalent of driving a car below the speed limit...
, overclocking
Overclocking
Overclocking is the process of operating a computer component at a higher clock rate than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer, but some manufacturers purposely underclock their components to improve battery life. Many people just overclock or 'rightclock' their hardware to...
, and front side bus
Front side bus
A front-side bus is a computer communication interface often used in computers during the 1990s and 2000s.It typically carries data between the central processing unit and a memory controller hub, known as the northbridge....
speed compatibility with certain motherboards, but unlocking invalidates the manufacturer's warranty and mistakes can cripple a CPU. However, locking a chip's clock multiplier does not necessarily prevent users from overclocking, as the speed of the front-side bus can still be changed to provide a performance increase. AMD Athlon and Athlon XP CPUs are generally unlocked by connecting bridges (jumper
Jumper (computing)
In electronics and particularly computing, a jumper is a short length of conductor used to close a break in or bypass part of an electrical circuit...
-like points) on the top of the CPU with conductive paint or pencil lead
Graphite
The mineral graphite is one of the allotropes of carbon. It was named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789 from the Ancient Greek γράφω , "to draw/write", for its use in pencils, where it is commonly called lead . Unlike diamond , graphite is an electrical conductor, a semimetal...
. Other CPU models (determinable by serial number) require different procedures to be unlocked.
One of the easiest ways to unlock an older AMD Athlon XP CPU was the pin mod method, because it was possible to unlock the CPU without a permanent modification of any bridges. Just putting one wire (or some more for a new multiplier/Vcore) into the socket would unlock the CPU.
External links
http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/113011/index.html?cm_sp=homepage2011_top-_-AMD/113011-_-http%3a%2f%2fpromotions.newegg.com%2fAMD%2f113011%2fHomepage_696x288.jpg