AMD Phenom II X4 TWKR

The TWKR-edition CPUs are currently the most sought-after and coveted AMD processors in the world, at least if you're a hardcore overclocker. Ever since pictures of the TWKR CPUs were leaked a few weeks back, enthusiasts everywhere have been buzzing about them. According to AMD, there are approximately 100 TWKR processors in the world. These chips were created especially for the extreme overclocking community to operate beyond the specification of typical production-level processors. What makes these chips special is the fact that they are considered “high leakage” parts. In this context, high leakage means that the processors "leak" more current than a normal Phenom II CPU and consequently run hotter, which actually turns out to be a positive for the overclocking crowd (even if it means they're more likely to die an early death). They can take on more voltage and generally tend to scale higher when cooled with extreme methods, such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.

If you look closely at the TWKR-edition's heatspreader, you'll see AMD Phenom II 42, TWKR Black Edition, Not for Sale. There is no serial number or any other identification marker. This is because the chip is offered “as-is,” and not covered by AMD's product warranty due to the increased heat and expected shorter life they're destined to live. These chips cannot be purchased (currently), and they are given away at AMD's discretion to members of the overclocking community for the purpose of breaking speed records on specialized test benches. If you're part of that community, you'll want to pay particular attention to this piece, as we have a little surprise in store for you.


The fact that these chips are high leakage components actually makes them undesireable as retail processors. Whereas AMD's flagship Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition falls within AMD's specified thermal limits, these TWKR-edition CPUs do not. They draw more power, generate more heat, and run less efficiently than the chips that AMD sells. The hardcore overclocking community isn't really concerned about efficiency or heat, though. Rather, they're looking for sheer performance, which leads to record-setting benchmark results. This is why AMD's TWKR is so attractive for extreme overclockers and not average users, or even overclockers cooling with air.

FROM http://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/510-amd-phenom-twkr.html