Triple head vs video card + stick advice

[gyrene81]

Exactly, Lethrnek,
the 555 has 2*2*64KB as L1, 2*512KB as L2, and the same 6MB shared L2.
If you unlock 2 cores, you also unlock their own 2*2*64KB L1 and 2*512KB L2, right?
That will be 2*2*64KB L1 and 4*512KB L2, while the L3 stays the same, am i right? Isnt that the same as in the standard 955?

Sorry i just cant follow your logic.  

no Debrody, the number and size of the l2 and l3 cache does not increase when you unlock the other cores. the callisto chips only carry a total of 1024kb of l2 cache, where the deneb's carry 2048kb. the way the cache is handled is different too. note the words "<number>- way associative, on the deneb chips. that's what gives the deneb chips just a little more power, it's not just clock cycles.

[Debrody]

CPU-Z says:
Name: AMD Phenom II x4 B55 BE
Core Name: Deneb (yes, was Callisto before the unlock)
L1 Data Cache: 4x64KBytes (was 2x64 before)
L1 Trace Cache: 4x64KBytes (was 2x64 before)
L2 Cache 4x512 KBytes (was 2x512 before)
L3 Cache: 6144KBytes (its the same)

Looks pretty much like its a fully functioning 955...
The L1 and L2 are integrated to the cores. If you lock a core (by the BIOS), the cores cache will be locked too, if you unlock a core, you cant do it withouth unlocking the L1 and L2 cache built into it. The L3 is shared, activating or disactivating cores wont affect this.
At least what i think about it.

[gyrene81]

CPU-Z says:
Name: AMD Phenom II x4 B55 BE
Core Name: Deneb (yes, was Callisto before the unlock)
L1 Data Cache: 4x64KBytes (was 2x64 before)
L1 Trace Cache: 4x64KBytes (was 2x64 before)
L2 Cache 4x512 KBytes (was 2x512 before)
L3 Cache: 6144KBytes (its the same)

Looks pretty much like its a fully functioning 955...
The L1 and L2 are integrated to the cores. If you lock a core (by the BIOS), the cores cache will be locked too, if you unlock a core, you cant do it withouth unlocking the L1 and L2 cache built into it. The L3 is shared, activating or disactivating cores wont affect this.
At least what i think about it.

now you have me if that is indeed the case, then the info about the differences between the callisto and deneb chips that i have been referencing is off. the l1 cache would be per core, the l2 is supposedly static like the l3 but...if cpuz is reporting it correctly then...wtf?

[Bizman]

Reminds me of the Thorton I once had.Originally it was a 2400+@266MHz, but it ran @390 after dropping the multiplier from 16.5 (Thorobred) to 11 (Barton). Apparently it was a Barton 3200+ which couldn't run stable @400MHz, so they crippled it down to the Thoroughbred specs. Maybe its caches could have been enlarged to Barton values with some pencil mod, I don't know. I've also read from IT magazines, that the manufacturers may even cripple fully functional items because of greater demand in the lower price category. Who knows the truth, but it seems like you've found a nugget. 

[guncrasher]

I cant get why the 555 flashed (B55) is less than the 955.
Same 128kb L1 cache/core, same 512kb L2 cache/core, same 6MB shared L3 cache... where is the difference? Would you help me out?

Btw true, the cores arent simmilar. The first two and the fourth one can sustain the default 3.2GHz at 1.275 Volt, while the third one requires 1.35V Thats still less than the factory default.
To reach 3.8GHz i have to set the default 1.375V on each core.

With the settings im using, AH already seems to have a mixed limit, but while pulling the CPU or the VRAM only result in a minor improvement, OCing the GPU core causes an instant FPS increase.
Guessing, setting a higher resolution will cause an even stronger GPU-limit.

debrody a lot of the cpus that you can unlock were due to the cpu failing the testing of the higher cpu but passing for a lower cpu.  so instead of getting thrown away they were sold as a lower cpu.  sometimes the manu will actually sell cpu if they have an oversupply as a lower cpu.  both you can unlock and make it perform like the higher cpu but only those that never had a problem to begin with will actually perform as the higher cpu.  remember there was a reason why they wouldnt pass the testing as the higher cpu.  some vc manufactuers do the same with vc then spread the word to increase sales.

semp

[Debrody]

Idk Semp, i never told anyone to follow my example and buy risky CPUs, but i had luck with this one and im perfectly happy with it right now, even tho its performance is just barely better then the new I3s.
At that time and my financial status, this was the best choice, just like the "last minute" supercheap (its relative tho) 5830.

[gyrene81]

that is some serious luck Debrody. since it is running like it is, may as well toss another 4gb of ram into the system then buy a 2gb 7850, assuming you have a 64bit os. if you want a good durable stick that isn't expensive, look for a thrustmaster hotas t-flight hotas x stick. it has a ton of buttons, throttle and you can use the twist stick function or rocker button on the throttle for rudder control.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=thrustmaster+t-flight+hotas+x&oq=thrustmaster&gs_l=hp.1.3.0l4.0.0.1.134.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0...1c.rfg9F3VdEjY&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=640d1991c704c3df&biw=1920&bih=951&tch=3&ech=1&psi=ev0HULjlIoTGqwG1tu3EBA.1342700999905.1&wrapid=tlif134270099990510&cid=1801584783819885799&sa=X&ei=gP0HULTNE6Ti2QWZmenVBA&ved=0CE0QrQQ

[Debrody]

My motherboard has only 4 RAM slots 
Maybe i was misunderstandable, i have 4 sticks of 2GB ddr3. Of course, the OS is a 64bit version.
Just checked the price of the 7850s. The cheapest 2GB model costs no less than 64k HUF, whats about equal to 300 US dollars... ouch!
Unfortunately i dont have that much money now, time to work some more.

[gyrene81]

holy cow!!!    you can get 7850s for $240 and free shipping here in the u.s. did you check one of the european amazon sites?

[Bizman]

holy cow!!!    you can get 7850s for $240 and free shipping here in the u.s. did you check one of the european amazon sites?

Do US prices include VAT? In Hungary it's 27%.

@Debrody: I have been quite satisfied with the Hotas Gyrene was kind enough to include a picture of. I still use the throttle part of it, trying to figure out how to modify the stick part to a bunch of buttons and pots. It's the older model (not PS2 compatible) and fully working. Highly recommendable.