AMD Changes Athlon XP Packaging

Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
edited September 2003 in Science & Tech
<a href="http://www.ocprices.com/?rev_id=179&quot; target=_blank>OCTools: New style AMD CPU packaging</a>
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 <b>AMD have a new packaging technique which involves laminating over the top of ALL of the bridges</b>. 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.

Comments

  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    This change occurred more than 6 months ago with the introduction of the Athlon XP 2800.
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Thrax said
    This change occurred more than 6 months ago with the introduction of the Athlon XP 2800.

    Just took a while to get into the retail place then :rolleyes2

    Id better rush order my 2 x 2500+'s!
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Yep. Took a while for existing stocks to clear out.

    I've been fearing this packaging for a long time, and already a few have trickled onto the market as early as June.
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Non-nForce2 owners....

    Stock up on your favourites now :eek:
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    Son of a bitch.

    /me digs out the credit card for those Barton's he wanted...
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited September 2003
    Thrax said
    This change occurred more than 6 months ago with the introduction of the Athlon XP 2800.

    Yeah I know, but some folks didn't hear/believe it the first time (or the second, or the third...)
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    My Barton's are ordered... phew!

    I had to ask the guy to check they were the old package, it's like asking for L-shaped memory on Radeon 9500 cards :(
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited September 2003
    It's not like this is a really big deal. The wire-trick still works just fine.
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited September 2003
    My 1700+ has that package. Thankfully using it on my NF7-S means I wont need to mess with the bridges.

    BTW, I bought the chip in June, so they've been out a while.
  • NecropolisNecropolis Hawarden, Wales Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    The new packaging is over in the UK.

    Picked up a Barton 2500+ today. Had the new packaging. You where luck on that one Dan.
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    1700+ i got is like that But like stated above its on my nf7-s 2.0
    :D
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    I'm pretty sure my newly purchased 3200+ doesn't carry the new packaging.
  • TheLostSwedeTheLostSwede Trondheim, Norway Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    I just got 2 2500+ "Y" with that surface. Joining pins on the cpu or at the backside of the mobo should work as well if someone could find out the right pins to connect.
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    I have got 5 locally since May that were that way. Having an NF7-S makes me feel like snickering like Sheriff Roscoe P Coltrain on the Dukes of Hazard.
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