AMD has historically been very enthusiast friendly when it comes to unlocking and overclocking their chips. However, I recently purchased a couple of XP2600s, hoping to unlock them for a bit of dual processor overclocked action. This entails joining the right-hand most L5 bridge, then remapping the L3 bridges to the desired multiplier. Upon opening the processor up, I was horrified to find that AMD have a new packaging technique which involves laminating over the top of ALL of the bridges. You will also notice that it is now possible to see all of the traces and paths through this semi-translucent layer.
Undeterred I tried to use a sharp fine hobby knife to carefully scratch away the lamination over the top of the two L5 bridges (very fiddly work). I was unsuccessful. Examination of the chip underneath a microscope revealed that all I had succeeded in “unlocking” was my chips inability to post – I had severed one of the traces clustered all around the L5 bridge in question. Somewhat disappointed I RMA’ed the working 2600 to my supplier for a replacement with two XP2500s, and also bought a couple of XP2400s just in case these were the same. Both of these sets of chips also had the new style packaging making them near impossible to use in a dual setup.
Enthusiasts are already leaving the AMD camp in droves thanks to the new 800MHz FSB wonder chips from Intel, and it’s this kind of petty mindedness which will cause AMD to bomb out of the enthusiast market all together. Basically, unless you know a supplier that has older chips in stock, you can now forget the joys of fast, inexpensive dual processing – or unlocked multipliers on your KT333 / KT400 or earlier.
Several people have been kind enough to mail me with a method on how to unlock these chips for use in dual motherboards, it is very easy and I am working on a quick one page guide which will be released tonight
Check out our other reviews from the Processors category:
