Dopamin3

Yes that motherboard can unlock.

AMD locks cores for two reasons. The foremost being that the core is a dud and doesn't function properly. The second being they need to meet demand for the lower end chips so they take a perfectly good yield and lock the good cores.

I have heard most Sempron 140s will unlock, but it is not a 100% guarantee. You will not harm the motherboard or processor by attempting to unlock it. If you enable ACC in the bios and save your settings and it wouldn't boot, just clear the CMOS to get back on track.

__________________

Jplaz

Alright, thanks.

Also, I'm thinking of getting this mobo now, because it has Crossfire support -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813131402R

What do y'all think of it?

__________________
Please read the TOS Folding for OCN, at a lousy 400-800 points a day...
Multiplying the number of cores by clock speed DOES NOT equal "final speed" or "computational power"

Dopamin3

Do you actually plan on using crossfire for a $150 rig?

Just get this

__________________

ZHoob2004

I believe he wants to keep the build afterward for a desktop machine as he's using a laptop right now.


@OP

I think that you're on the right track now for your build. do you have any idea what your competition is getting?

but depending on whether you are going for clock speed or processing power you may want to try OCing with and without the unlocked core to see which does better in your tests.

__________________
My case mod project: Millennium Falcon

Jplaz

Well, I just talked to the kid, he's decided to drop out of this (to save up the money for an intel 32nm rig, w/e) but I'm still going to do this. This is actually decent news because I can now raise the budget a little .

I will get a card(s) later, I think I'm gonna go for the CF mobo to CF later.

Summary so far-

Sempron 140 $40
Asus M4A79XTD EVO mobo $85
Crucial 1GB DDR3 1066 RAM $21
OCZ Vendetta HSF $8
Total $162.99 including shipping

I'll use integrated graphics for now, I've snagged a 250W PSU for free (not sure the brand yet, but this should be enough?) I have a 100GB IDE HDD, a DVD +/- combo and I may get a case later.

Future upgrades-
RAM
Power Supply
GPU
RAM (depending on how much I get earlier)
GPU (crossfire)
EDIT: Maybe I'll skipp the crossfire GPU for a while and get like a 5770?
Any comments?

__________________
Please read the TOS Folding for OCN, at a lousy 400-800 points a day...
Multiplying the number of cores by clock speed DOES NOT equal "final speed" or "computational power"

Jplaz

Quick question, can I safely/stable-y run this RAM together?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146868
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148147
I'm just looking into future upgrades, it's raining out so I'm extra bored...

__________________
Please read the TOS Folding for OCN, at a lousy 400-800 points a day...
Multiplying the number of cores by clock speed DOES NOT equal "final speed" or "computational power"

Jplaz

Sorry to triple post, but it's been a week...

It seems the mobo I want has been deactivated on Newegg, so it's now between these two-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128398
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157167

I'm torn here, because while Gigabyte is a more reputable company, but the Asrock board has better a better IGP which I'll be using until I can get a 5770.

Anyway, what are OCN's thoughts?

EDIT- First component has arrived! Unfortunealty, the MIR expired yesterday. Darn.

__________________
Please read the TOS Folding for OCN, at a lousy 400-800 points a day...
Multiplying the number of cores by clock speed DOES NOT equal "final speed" or "computational power"

Gangstarr

Sup

The Master Chief

__________________
: )

Jplaz

Uh.....

well anyway I'm about to hit submit on these components:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...dlist=celebros

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146736

I'll be hitting up microcenter for a Sempron 140 some time soon.

Anything I should know before I pull the trigger?

__________________
Please read the TOS Folding for OCN, at a lousy 400-800 points a day...
Multiplying the number of cores by clock speed DOES NOT equal "final speed" or "computational power"