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    does anyone know about what intel stepping a0 to e0 means?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by ncc1701TherealOne, Jun 16, 2009.

  1. ncc1701TherealOne

    ncc1701TherealOne Newbie

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    does anyone know what intel cpu stepping a0 to e0 means. i have been told that it represents different versions of the cpu. but what are some of he most common differences betwen different steppings and are the latest ones always the most sophisticated or most function packed cpu's by intel but not always sold as oem chips to help boost marketing during test phase by manufacturers.
     
    ncc1701TherealOne, Jun 16, 2009
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  2. David

    David NBR Random Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Most engineering sample CPUs have the A0 CPUs. These are often the first release CPUs and are used for testing purposes only. When techies refer to the term "stepping", they are referring to a revision of the CPU. Newer steppings usually mean improvements to fan speed control mechanisms and processor energy state.
     
    David, Jun 16, 2009
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  3. IKAS V

    IKAS V Notebook Prophet

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    AMAZING! :)
    You do know everything..lol
     
    IKAS V, Jun 16, 2009
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  4. thalanix

    thalanix Notebook Deity

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    fan speed is controlled by part of the bios (acpi/dsdt). if energy states = c-states, i don't think those can just be "added" to a cpu (without requiring a new microcode).

    http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/29
    hardware can have bugs too.
     
    thalanix, Jun 16, 2009
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  5. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    Engineering samples have revision E0 usually. They are usually tested to extreme conditions by reviewers and large companies, and some parts of the CPU may malfunction from the stress.

    A lot of Intel engineering sample CPUs have been flooded into the market recently. Everyone is pretty hush about why this is, and there are plenty of articles with speculation about yield problems at Intel's fabs. Who knows. Just stay away from anything labeled ES. Unless you're totally aware of the potential problems. There is no advantage to buying engineering sample notebook CPUs since they do not have an unlocked multiplier.
     
    ALLurGroceries, Jun 17, 2009
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  6. ramgen

    ramgen -- Morgan Stanley --

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    :confused:


    AFAIK A0 is for ES and E0 is the most mature one. Correct me if I am wrong...


    --
     
    ramgen, Jun 17, 2009
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  7. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    Here are some engineering sample T9800s on eBay. Check out the CPU-Z pics.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Core2Duo-T9800-2-93GHz-1066FSB-6M-L2-Close-X9100_W0QQitemZ140326749241QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item20ac204439&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A2096|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Core-2-Mobile-Processor-T9800-2-93G-6M-1066MHz_W0QQitemZ170337382847QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27a8e631bf&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A2096|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

    You can usually tell an Intel engineering sample by the 'ES' (as opposed to 'SLGES' for the real T9800) on the label.

    Anyways the answer to the OP is pretty easy, stepping is just a way of saying a revision of the CPU instruction (or feature) set.
     
    ALLurGroceries, Jun 17, 2009
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