Which is processor is better triple core vs Quad-Core

[Japjeev]

So which is a better prosessor

AMD Phenom 9850 2.5GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor HD985ZXAJ4BGH - OEM

or


AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX


and i heard that if you have a biostar motherboard or something you can make your triple core into Quad core by tweaking into the bios. Is this true?

 

[fastdude]

In terms of raw power/speed, the phenom is a bit quicker, but the athlon offers better upgradability (You can only upgrade to 1 better processor with the former, whereas with the latter you can upgrade to dozens of quicker models, all the way to very fast hexa-cores. I would go with the X3.

Yes you can unlock cores in the BIOS, but only some motherboards have this feature (usually higher end models)

 

[Japjeev]

In terms of raw power/speed, the phenom is a bit quicker, but the athlon offers better upgradability (You can only upgrade to 1 better processor with the former, whereas with the latter you can upgrade to dozens of quicker models, all the way to very fast hexa-cores. I would go with the X3.

Yes you can unlock cores in the BIOS, but only some motherboards have this feature (usually higher end models)

wait u sure i can unlock the athlon triple core i mean its not phenom its athlon and i have biostar motherboard

 

[Aastii]

I would go with the Athlon II x3 personally, but they are meant to be releasing a C3 stepping one at some point this year, so I would wait for that. You can tell it is different as it is ADX440WFGMBOX (notice the change in the I to M 4th digit from the end). Will be cooler and should overclock better.

As to unlocking, it depends on the board and/or BIOS revision. All non-quad AMD Athlon II or Phenom II CPUs can be potentially unlocked. If you board has a SB710 or SB750 southbridge, it will have ACC (advanced clock calibration), or if it has certain BIOS revisions (will have to check the BIOS yourself of the manual for the motherboard if it has the option), you will be able to