If you, however, don't know how to unlock, or even how to get into the BIOS, you still have the best performing single core on the market, that can be used in HTPC, office work or in everyday computer usage. While you didn't spend much money, you also have to acknowledge the fact that this is just a single core processor. Looking back at the performance graphs, it is hard to imagine, that not too long ago we were all computing with such slow CPUs, and today you will be performance limited in almost every aspect with a single threaded CPU. Unlike AMD's new Athlons which are very flexible budget CPUs, the new Semprons have a specific and narrow list of potential buyers.