AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition - Phenom II X2 Callisto Dual-Core 3.1 GHz Socket AM3 80W Desktop Processor - HDZ550WFK2DGI - OEM

Pros: GREAT PROC!!! I would give it another egg if it was available. Instantly unlocked to a quad core and overclocked to 3.4 Ghz via Gigabyte MA-870A-UD3 (rev 2.0). This CPU was under half the price of a phenom ii x4 3.4 GHz. This Proc will OC further as I had it to 3.9 GHz but it quickly reached 85 deg C while running Prime95 so I scaled it back. I need a better CPU cooler as mine is from an older build that I paid $8 for in 2007 but this isn't the Procs fault.

Cons: Not really a con since it is outside of operating specs but if you unlock to a quad core, your individual core temps readings are disabled by the processor. Because individual core temps are disabled you have to use something that just gives you the overall temp of the CPU like Easy Tune by Gigabyte.

Overall Review: My specs for unlocking and OCing via Gigabyte MA-870-UD3 (rev 2.0) are:

NB Voltage Control 1.100V
CPU Voltage Control +0.100V (1.4500)
CPU Unlock Enabled

That simple and super stable. Ran Prime95 for 12 hours with no errors and CPU temp via Easy Tune was 65 deg C. As I said, this proc will OC further but my cheap cooler just can't keep up. For the price/performance this chip gives you I can't understand why anyone would go the intel route. I paid a total of $230 for the MB/CPU/RAM (2x2GB DDR3 1600). Was a hell of an upgrade from my Athlon 64 X2 5000+ for the price. I know they are phasing out this CPU so buy it while you can.

Pros: ease to unlock extra cores

Cons: extra core show 0 none no activity at all I do not know if they are unlocked for show or for functionality watts went from 89 with cores locked to 175 with cores unlocked. So I have no idea if this is now a phenom ii x4 b50 or just a unlocked 550 with high watts

Overall Review: None