14 DAY TRIAL // The AMD Phenom II X4 960 central processing unit from Advanced Micro Devices seems to have learned what it means to be too good for one's own good. Apparently, its ability to surpass 4GHz in frequency and even multiply its number of cores proved to be less than desirable to its maker, whose Thuban six-core chips have recently been presented to the public.
Most consumers, especially enthusiasts, are likely aware of the fact that some of the hardware makers that manufacture AMD motherboards have come up with technologies capable of unlocking disabled cores. This is what allows dual-core or triple-core CPUs to become quad-core parts. Similarly, a more advanced version of the technology was going to let the Phenom II X4 960 become a six-core.
Unfortunately, enthusiasts might never get to see what might have been if the Sunnyvale, California-based chip maker had gone all the way and actually made said CPU available to the masses. According to a report, the 45nm Thuban-based quad-core may reach OEMs, but it won't be making it to retail, not soon anyway. Its creator wouldn't want it to affect the sales of actual Thuban six-core Phenom II X6 parts.
“I’ve been asked the question about whether there will be a Phenom II X4 960T ‘Thuban’ quad-core by enough individuals, that I think it is a good idea to proactively share the answer to everyone. While there are indeed engineering CPU samples floating around of a 4-core Thuban 960T, I do not expect that processor will be released for general availability. Perhaps it may make its way to OEMs by special request, but that remains to be seen” the report states.
Some consumers may be especially heartbroken at this news, considering the overclocking track record that distinguished the 960T a while back. Specifically, a sample was pushed to a clock speed of 4.2 GHz, which is significant for a chip whose base clock is of 3.0GHz. The other side-effect of this development is that the high-end motherboards that boasted of possessing a core-unlocking technology capable of enhancing this CPU will lose a major part of their charm.