AMD 770 Chipset based GIGABYTE motherboards

enable Triple core CPU to be turned into

Quad core CPUProduct Management Team

Index

Introduction

Gears you need

Step by Step

Proof and Performance Test result

Summary

Introduction

Why it can be achieved?

Answer: When AMD produces multi-cores CPU, for some quality control issues, (such as extreme high or low temperature), AMD samples out some quad core Phenom II / Athlon II CPU and turn it into triple core CPU for sale. So inside of a triple core CPU, it is still a quad core internally.

How to enable it?

Answer : To enable triple core CPU into quad core CPU, you need AMD SB 750/710 with EC circuit, special BIOS to allow AMD ACC (Advanced Clock Calibration) and AMD triple core CPU as well.

What’s benefit?

Answer : End user can get as a ‘Free’ bonus by purchasing a triple core CPU and turning it into a more expensive quad core CPU without paying extra. Performance also gains too.Warning : User has to be aware, AMD and

GIGABYTE will NOT honor and guarantee the performance and success of enabling this feature. Also the system stability may be effected.

Gears you need

To enable GIGABYTE AMD 770 chipset MB, you need following gears :

Warning : User has to be aware, AMD and GIGABYTE will NOT honor and guarantee the performance and success of enabling this feature. Also the system stability may be effected

Motherboard with AMD SB 750/710 + special EC mode BIOS :

MA770T-UD3P F2CMA770-UD3(2.0) FBMA770-US3(2.0) FB

AMD Phenom II or upcoming Athlon II Triple Core CPU

Step by StepStep One : Enter BIOS and verify

Hint : By press ‘F9’ in BIOS, you can see hardware informationIt shows current CPU is triple core Phenom II X3 CPU

It shows current motherboard model and BIOS version

Step by StepStep Two : Enter M.I.T Menu

M.I.T is centre of overclocking menu for advanced user

Step by StepStep Three : Enter Advanced Clock Calibration mode

Enter AMD ACC Menu for enabling special EC firmware

In default, the EC firmware will be set as ‘Normal’ mode, and ACC is ‘Disabled’. Now we are prepared to enable both.

Step by StepStep Four : Enable Hybrid EC + ACC Auto mode

Enter EC firmware selection menu, select ‘Hybrid’ mode to enable special tuned BIOS.

In ACC selection, default is ‘Disable’ , now go enabling ACC in “Auto’ mode to enable Sb750/ SB 710 ACC feature.

Step by StepStep Five : Save and Exit BIOS

BIOS will automatically update new EC firmware and re-boot the system again to apply quad core setting. Please do turn off or reset system during processing.

Step by StepStep Six: Verify it

After BIOS enables Hybrid EC + ACC, you can see, in BIOS hardware information (‘F9”) The current CPU now is AMD Phenom II X4 8700e !

Step by StepStep Six: Verify it in post

Before After

Proof and Performance Test resultCheck ET6 under Windows 7 RC

Proof and Performance Test resultPerformance Test result 1 : CineBench R10 Multi CPU score

Quad Core EC enable

Standard Triple Core

8015

6122

Quad Core EC enable

Standard Triple Core

148Watt

137 Watt

Proof and Performance Test resultPerformance Test result 2 : 3DMark 05 CPU score

Quad Core EC enable

Standard Triple Core

Quad Core EC enable

Standard Triple Core

145Watt

140 Watt

Summary

After tests we can say :

GIGABYTE Hybrid EC firmware with ACC works

Performance gains depends on application 3~30%

Enabling Quad Core will increase slightly more power consumption

In test, with exclusive GIGABYTE technology, to enable this hidden trick from AMD CPU is simple enough. No hassle, no pain.

Models available

MA770-UD3 (Rev. 2.0)

MA770-US3 (Rev. 2.0)

MA770T-UD3P