Underperformance Quad-Core CPU

[Korki Buchek]

I think I have a BUM Quad-Core. Attached results from running SpeedFan:
Temp 1 43C
Temp 2 42C
Temp 3 -128C
Core 43C

This doesn't look right. Do indeed I have a Bum CPU?
Thx, John

 

[avgwarhawk]

No, I think the program you are using is incorrectly showing cores. How can a core be -128 degrees? Have you found what motherboard you have and visited the manufactures website for drivers or possible answers in their forum?

 

[Korki Buchek]

angwarhawk,
Foxconn considers the MB a 3rd party item and have no plans for support. I'll never buy retail again. Thanks, John

I have run a multitude of programs that indicate problems. The attached image displays results from:
1) SpeedFan (Core 3 at -128C)
2) WinRAR bechmark score(Ludicrous!!! 80??)
3) Vista sidebar Gadget Multi-Meter Q (Tiny meter in center of pic Shows ONE core Max''d. I was Never able to see Any Activity by Any of the other cores)
4) CPUz which shows at bottom Selection is Greyed Out at Processor 1, fine, I have only 1 BUT it also shows only ONE core.

I also ran a prog to Change the Number of Processors (& Cores in Duo's & Quads) in Vista Boot Up. Using msconfig I got to System/Config/Boot/Advanced where I should be able to select the number of Processors or Cores, it is Grayed Out at One and I Can Not check the # of Processors.

I Believe I have a Bum Quad-Core.
Thank You, John

 

[avgwarhawk]

yeah but looking at CPUID, it looks like it is running just fine. Have you googled dead cores or possible dead core?

 

[sygnus21]

First off, if the PC is only nine months old and you bought it, I’d look to see if the warranty is still good before going through any other hoops.

As for your temp monitoring program -

Try the latest version of Core Temp, which supports Vista x64, and see what it gives for temps. If Core Temp gives the same readings then something might be going on with one of the sensors on the CPU. I too doubt that that processor could run with that amount of heat.

Using msconfig I got to System/Config/Boot/Advanced where I should be able to select the number of Processors or Cores, it is Grayed Out at One and I Can Not check the # of Processors.

No need to use that – it’s used for testing purposes and does nothing for you! Google it and see for yourself.

Good luck

 

[Everlong]

First off, if the PC is only nine months old and you bought it, I’d look to see if the warranty is still good before going through any other hoops.

As for your temp monitoring program -

Try the latest version of Core Temp, which supports Vista x64, and see what it gives for temps. If Core Temp gives the same readings then something might be going on with one of the sensors on the CPU. I too doubt that that processor could run with that amount of heat.

Using msconfig I got to System/Config/Boot/Advanced where I should be able to select the number of Processors or Cores, it is Grayed Out at One and I Can Not check the # of Processors.

No need to use that – it’s used for testing purposes and does nothing for you! Google it and see for yourself.

Good luck

If the option for it is greyed out, it still further confirms there's something wrong with his other 3 cores

I think you should just get it replaced. I don't think there'd be options somewhere in BIOS that would disable them by default.

 

[sygnus21]

First off, if the PC is only nine months old and you bought it, I’d look to see if the warranty is still good before going through any other hoops.

As for your temp monitoring program -

Try the latest version of Core Temp, which supports Vista x64, and see what it gives for temps. If Core Temp gives the same readings then something might be going on with one of the sensors on the CPU. I too doubt that that processor could run with that amount of heat.

Using msconfig I got to System/Config/Boot/Advanced where I should be able to select the number of Processors or Cores, it is Grayed Out at One and I Can Not check the # of Processors.

No need to use that – it’s used for testing purposes and does nothing for you! Google it and see for yourself.

Good luck

If the option for it is greyed out, it still further confirms there's something wrong with his other 3 cores

I think you should just get it replaced. I don't think there'd be options somewhere in BIOS that would disable them by default.

Thanks

 

[Everlong]

I was only saying that if the option in the advanced boot options is greyed out, then it shows something is wrong with his cores.

The 2nd part was nothing to do with what you said about the warrenty, I was just saying what I think he should do, and it's what I'd do if I was in the same position.

But I dunno what problems you have with me, so I'll leave it. You seem to think every response is a debate.

Also take this in to consideration with CPU readings (not directed a sygnus)

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]AMD chips report the temperature by a special register in the CPU's NB. Core Temp reads that register and uses a formula provided by AMD to calculate the current temperature.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The formula for the K8 is: 'Core Temp = Value - 49'.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The formula for the K10* is: 'CPU Temp** = Value / 8'.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The sensor in AMD CPUs can report temperatures between -49C and 206C.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]*K10 = Phenom (Agena), Opteron (Barcelona). The K10 reports a temperature value that is relative to a certain predefined value, it doesn't report the actual processor temperature! So take that into consideration.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]**CPU Temp is because the Phenom\Opteron (K10) have only one sensor per package, meaning there is only one reading per processor. [/FONT]

I had a similar problem when I had my Athlon x2 when using Speedfan. One of the temperatures would be showing at something like -140C.

 

[Korki Buchek]

Thank You Everyone! I am impressed with the help I have received here in Vista Forums. You're all Great!

I think it is time to put this one to bed.
The history of this Processor is Not Good: CNET only gives it 3/5 stars, NewEgg gives it 4/5 stars with a Customer Comment indicating problems with Core 3(in addition to the TLB fiasco).
Too Bad Core Temp doesn't work w/Phenoms. It appears AMD went to great lengths to try to hide their problems with this CPU. (any Intel MB/CPU suggestions?)

At this last Gasp juncture I guess I will have to re-load Vista. YIKES!
I bought it at Circuit City and if I cant get it to work I will go to Gateway/AMDs Doorstep to return it. I Will Get Satisfaction.

Frustrated But Undaunted,
Yer Pal, John

 

[avgwarhawk]

Let us know what happens.

 

[sygnus21]

@ Korki Buchek - For what it's worth I think you should return the machine for repairs and actually do agree with Everlong18 that you might have a bad CPU. Good luck and be persistant with Gateway/AMD in pushing for a replacement CPU.

@ Everlong18 - Though we had our misunderstanding in the past, I'm not that sensitive and actually agree with your last post and think you may be on to something. We're cool.

Peace

 

[Korki Buchek]

Thank You to All.

Closing Comment:
I did a clean re-install of Vista and now get comparable scores w/ benchmarks. I Now see 4 cores in Task manager, CPU-z, mCPU Gadget in Sidebar....
Thank God I did not have to send my PC to Gateway.

For Reference: WinRAR Benchmark = 1,085 and 3DMARK06 = 10,300 both with TBL disabled.
Thanks Again, John