ES chip question

I hope someone will be able to clear up a few questions i have.

As some of you might remember I had a core i7 720 which got accidentally upgraded to a core i7 940 (OEM) when dell tried to fix my lappy.

Now in my quest to get working crossfire they have downgraded me to a 920. That's fine... its still much higher then the 720 i actually paid for...

However the new 920 cpu is an (ES) chip.

So here's my question:
1)whats an ES chip?
2)whats the difference between that and a normal one?
3)should dell have fitted one?

Thanks in advance

 

Heya Peter,

1: An ES CPU is an Engeneering Sample, it is used to test the OEM machines at a computer factory in the quality department.
2: There is no actual difference expect the symbol ES or QS it is labeled with, also indicated in CPU-Z. It gives same performance and stability actually as an OEM.
3: I'm not sure if you should accept an ES chip from Dell, and you probably want to ask/demand for an OEM CPU. But well, you had an i7-720 before, so you can be happy actually.

You can find those cpu's cheap on ebay, and save some money doing so, but i'm kinda confused why dell would install such a cpu in your computer. <--- That's what i'm gonna do maybe later to upgrade my 720 myself.

 

ES/QS is a engineering sample or qualification sample they are given to big OEM's to test.There is virtually no difference to the OEM ones.Although ES/QS are frequently sold on Ebay etc etc.These proc's remain the property of Intel & Dell should never have fitted one as they are breaking there agreement with Intel.

 

The only reason I ask is because its running really really hot, the fans just don't stop even when on a cooling pad and idle.

I'm really angry. so far Ive had 5 motherboards, 6 graphics cards, 3 Processors, 2 on buttons, 4 ram modules, 3 fans...

...and the bottom right speaker light doesn't work!

 

ive never heard of dell using an ES chip intentionally, and if i remember correctly it violates there terms with Intel. personally i use ES chips all the time, but i would be concerned, for one of your machine's service tag# shows that your supposed to have a 720 and you have an 920es chip, the will void your warranty unless you can prove they put it in, but it would be difficult since they dont put ES chips in machines. i would get written acknowledgment if i were you for your warranty beacuse down the road it will be important.

 

Thanks, that's really good advice.
I'm going on the phone now...
Wish me luck!

If I contact Intel will they do anything?

 

don't contact intel they don't support the chips. now i have heard of Dell "accidentally" installing an ES chip, but they were in desktops and they were P4 chips. at the worst be prepared to get your 720 back, but to be honest if something happens and your warranty is void i think that the warranty is worth more than the $400 it would cost to buy a 920 if you really want one.

 

If intel found out about you having an ES chip they might take it, as they can do that legally.

The chip belongs to them as its an engineering sample. Just call dell about it

 

Another thing that springs to mind is the Tech hired by Dell could have easily pulled a fast one on you if he was in possession off a 920 ES he could have easily swapped with the OEM 920 he was given to fit in your R2.There is a lot of crooks out there in every occupation.I reckon the response you will get from Dell is that you fitted it yourself they wont admit that.Good luck you need it with all your troubles i think i would have told Dell to replace your current R2 with a new build.

 

i didn't even consider this. +1 to this. although its not likely its def. possible, and you don't want to be the one left holding the bag. as in with most things in life, if it seems to good to be true it most likely is. get your gripe on sir....

 

I asked dell for a new one they said: 'because you didn't buy it direct from dell we can't swap it, all we can do is honor our warranty through repair.'

 

Just got off the phone. why do they ask you to key in your express service tag and then answer the phone with 'service tag please'...

Anyway, they've said that there going to bring a new CPU with them tomorrow when the come to fix the light.

Lets hope its at least a 740

 

Check the sspec on the cpu before they install it, to avoid getting yet another ES cpu. It is flat out illegal for Dell to send an ES to a customer like that.....make it their problem.

And given all the work you have had done, I would just make them send you a new machine. The rule of thumb has been after getting 3 parts replaced you can usually get a new machine sent out

 

I'm going to see what they bring tomorrow.
I just hit 100 degrees while benching in section 8 and running core temp.
And burnt myself on the back grill! There's a lawsuit here somewhere i'm sure lol

 

The poor cooling is most likely due to the tech just taking off and then putting back on the heatsink and not cleaning and reapplying the thermal paste during your previous cpu replacements.

 

Wow, that's even hotter than the gpus at a normal level i guess...

Also as someone mentioned changing cpu will void warranty, it doesn't (there is also a thread on here somewhere, where it says what will actually void warranty, i guess the only thing was repainting ). And since a tech came already a few times to you and opened it, you could always change it back to the one dell gave you, and use the one you bought seperatly when the repair has been done. How should they notice afterwards... (of course that is if you don't forget anything or damage something else while working inside your laptop)

Yeah, you might want to bring that up, when he does the installation.

 

As noted by several others, ES stands for 'engineering sample' and this is basically early silicon shipped out to engineers so they can verify their design. As the silicon is not finalized at that point, the manufacturer does not guarantee it to be flawless and ES silicon is ussualy only shipped after signing of a waiver. Most of the time the differences between ES and final silicon are minimal at worst but that's not guaranteed.

 

I just want a working laptop that doesn't look like its going to blow up! :cry:

 

Given all of the trouble you have had, you may want to just try forcing a refund from dell and reordering (do not have to reorder from dell if you do not want too)

 

I wish that were possible but because i didn't purchase it from dell it just wont happen.

I think its time i started building a new desktop and putting this whole mess behind me.

a 980x will cheer me up. 6 x 3.33ghz cores.....

 

well if you sell it here or on ebay you could probably get upwards of $3k for it, which as you noted, will build a very nice desktop

 

Wow man, I would give that tech a beat down. You had a great chip and he pulled a fast one. Sucks that it happened. I know you didn't buy the 940, and the 920 is still a good chip, but blows that he pulled if from you like that. Even worse that dell won't look into the issue.

 

Those core temperatures are a good indication of a botched install job. When the core temps hit 100C, that will cause the CPU to automatically start thermal throttling which will slow it down to a crawl. The tech swiped your good CPU and was probably vibrating so bad to rush out the door that he did a crappy job of installing the new one. I would have had my hands around his throat the moment I booted up and saw an ES CPU in there with the 940XM in his pocket.