AMD Triple-Core Revisited

“When AMD does see a “problem core” or when the frequency mis-match among cores, they now have the triple core option to keep from scrapping or down-grading that die. Let's take a step backwards here: AMD tests each processor and when they do they test each of the four cores individually. By doing so, AMD has the ability to make sure that each core is working correctly and at what clock frequency. If AMD is trying to produce say, 2.6GHz Phenom processors, this is what happens. The processor is tested and, for example, it was found to have three cores running fine at 2.6GHz and one core that can do just 2.0GHz. AMD has the choice to fuse the processor at the silicon level (well before the integrated heat spreader is put on) as a 2.0GHz quad-core Phenom, or they could fuse it as a 2.6GHz triple-core Phenom if they wanted to lose the use of a core.”