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    Engineering sample

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by adam1378, Oct 30, 2008.

  1. adam1378

    adam1378 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I found an engineering sample of a p8400 cpu on ebay for less than half the price new. My plan is to replace my t3200 on my acer 5735 montevina gl40 laptop. I have yet to find a bios update on the acer site or a product page itself. But I am going to cross my fingers and just drop it in, and hope that everything works. But I hope it works. Has anybody used a ES cpu before? What i have read is its a 50/50 chance you get a decent chip. Any suggestions or opinions would be nice to hear. Thanks
     
    adam1378, Oct 30, 2008
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  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    ES chips are usually risky to use. If you can afford it though, try it out.
     
    sgogeta4, Oct 30, 2008
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  3. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    ES CPUs are risky in the sense, that you don't know which stepping they have. Higher the better.

    But you will have no hard-coded multipliers and voltages, and you can undervolt/overclock as much as you want, unless the BIOS screws things up for you after a certain limit.

    I've had good experience with ESs. :p
     
    Andy, Oct 30, 2008
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  4. Tippey764

    Tippey764 Notebook Deity

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    I have a sample cpu in my dv6500t right now its a t7100 i have had 0 problems with it.
     
    Tippey764, Oct 30, 2008
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  5. Kevin

    Kevin Egregious

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    I see a non-ES P8400 on ebay for $160.

    Anyway ES chips are safe in my book. I've never known anyone who correctly installed and engineering sample to find that it didn't match the reliability of a retail chip.
     
    Kevin, Oct 30, 2008
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  6. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    ...Till it breaks and you realize theres no warranty or support from Intel.

    Then you further find out the seller you bought it from will only offered 30 days warranty or no warranty at all.

    $$$ down the drain with no chance of return.

    That is the risk of a ES cpu.
     
    flipfire, Oct 30, 2008
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