AMD's triple-core Phenom II X3 goes quad-core via BIOS hack
![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8y8D0UQWmSCDXnho4r2UVA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTMxNg--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/Js0D3VqOqmf_ltcicc3v4g--~B/aD0xODE7dz01NTA7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/02/2-26-09-phenom_ii_x3_hack.jpg)
Here's a little known secret for you to chew on: that triple-core AMD Phenom II X3 you purchased actually has four cores. The last one's just locked down for pricing purposes. A Korean site has disclosed information that enables owners of select motherboards to unlock that fourth core, and apparently, all you need is a Biostar mobo and / or a BIOS that has an option labeled Advanced Clock Calibration. When said selection is flipped to "Auto," the fourth core is loosed from its shackles and able to ever-so-slightly up your frame rates and overall level of excitement. Of course, you're taking a big risk by running a chip in a fashion it was never intended, but what fun is life without a little edge-side living?
[Via Slashgear]