The $0.50 CPU With a Hidden Secret...

Overview / Core Claim

• The video argues not to buy single-core CPUs in 2026 for modern operating systems, because they quickly become frustratingly slow.
• The host tests an AMD Sempron 145 (about £0.50 / ≈ $1) to show both its limitations and a key “hidden secret.”

Hardware Setup Used for Testing

• CPU: AMD Sempron 145 (2010, AM3 platform)
• Initial configuration: treated as 1 core / 1 thread
• Test system:
  • GPU: GTX 1080 Ti (intentionally overpowered to expose CPU bottlenecks)
  • RAM: 16 GB DDR3 @ 1600 MHz
• OS / software notes:
  • Windows 11 not considered compatible
  • Windows 10 can work, but is very slow to set up
  • Single-core usage shows the CPU often runs near 100% utilization

Benchmarks & Performance Results (Cinebench)

• The host downloads Cinebench 2026, but:
  • Extraction alone took ~32 minutes on Windows 10 (a severe bottleneck)
  • The newest version fails to run (compatibility issues with the old CPU)
• Next, Cinebench 2024:
  • Encounters problems (likely incompatibility and/or insufficient time for setup/initialization)
• Switches to Cinebench R15 (works best):
  • Locked (1C/1T): score ~55
  • Major slowdown due to test completion time (described as taking “quite a while”)

“Hidden Secret” Feature: Unlocking a Second Core

• The key feature: the Sempron 145 can sometimes unlock its second core.
• Explanation:
  • AMD disabled one core at the factory (e.g., faulty core or binning/quota decisions)
  • Many chips may not fully unlock, but some units are stable
• BIOS testing:
  • Using an ASUS M5A78L, the host enables the 2nd core in BIOS
  • Success: system boots and identifies like an Athlon X2 4450e-class CPU
• Outcome:
  • Performance improves beyond benchmarks, including general desktop tasks
  • CPU now reports 2 cores / 2 threads
  • Cinebench R15 improves from ~55 to ~135 (roughly doubling)

Gaming Results (GTX 1080 Ti Used to Isolate CPU Bottlenecks)

Even after unlocking the second core, the host still observes significant CPU bottlenecks, such as low GPU usage (e.g., sometimes <10% utilization).

Games tested

• Left 4 Dead 2
  • ~40 FPS average (highest settings)
  • CPU is the limiting factor
• Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition (1080p High, MSAA off)
  • CPU often 95–100% in busy areas
  • Performance dips variability are expected due to weak CPU, but it’s described as “better than expected”
• Sons of the Forest
  • CPU ~99%, GPU <20%
  • Overall: not a good experience and not playable
• Red Dead Redemption 1
  • Often fails to advance past the loading splash screen

Stability note

• The host mentions unlocked chips may crash or freeze if the disabled core is unstable.
• In this particular unit: stability held after about an hour of testing.

Overall Recommendation / Conclusion

• Best use case in 2026: very light or older software environments
  • The host suggests older OS choices like Windows 7 or Linux for usability.
• For modern demanding tasks and games, the chip will struggle heavily.
• The main “value” is the unlock: “two products for the price of one” if your BIOS unlock works reliably.

Main Speakers / Sources

• Main speaker: the YouTube host/narrator performing the tests (no other specific named speaker appears in the subtitles).
• Primary source of the core claim: the video’s explanation of AMD Sempron 145’s unlockable-core behavior and the BIOS method used on an ASUS M5A78L.