Engineering vs OEM CPUs

Hi All,

In my search for a CPU I thought this might be an interesting topic to bring up. Through ebay you can buy the same processor for 100 bucks less if you opt for an engineering CPU (usually from China). I was just wondering about everyones opinion on this or if anyone has done it?

Cheers, ScKaSx

 

Aren't buying engineering samples illegal? They're for manufacturers to test products right?

 

engineering samples might be ok.

or not.

Known problems are temp sensors that do NOT work, on-die cache disabled, advanced cpu instructions disabled, cpuid string incorrect.

None of which are good news.

 

Have a read at this first. Make sure you read all 5 pages.

A lot of members here run ES samples with no problems, but youll never know...

Some steppings might not have a temp sensor.

 

Yeah, my ES chip has been running for a year now in a laptop that's not supposed to be able to handle as much heat as it gives off, and it's fine.

Make sure you ask your seller if the chip has final steppings, otherwise known as a QS (Qualification Sample, or Final ES) chip. Also ask directly if it has temp sensors (mine does).

In CPU-Z, it looks just like a stock X9100, except it shows ES at the end. Anyway, considering I bought this CPU for $325 and it retails for $851, it was a steal. ES CPUs obviously don't have any warranty whatsoever, so you're on your own if something breaks.

If you're only saving $100, I'd probably advise going with an OEM model. If you're saving something near $200 or more, the ES CPU is probably an ok bet.

 

I have used a QX9300 ES with no problems at all. I would never spend the $1000 for the OEM, it is clearly very over priced. The only time I would buy an OEM over an ES would be if the price difference was $100 or less. For example, I would only save £75 if I purchased a 2.0 Ghz mobile i7 ES over an OEM so I don't see that as worth while.

 

Honestly, I think NBR should institute a rule about ES processors as they do with OSX on non-Apple hardware.

Intel ES processors are not meant to be sold, and are technically the property of Intel, meaning the act of buying them is actually purchasing stolen property.

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-030747.htm

 

i agree.... whoever buys them is as guilty as those who steal and sell them... ES cpu's shouldn't be discussed on NBR...

 

Well there's Forum Rules against speaking of illegal things on the board so freedom of speech here is kinda gimped

People who use Engineering Samples here on NBR might have genuinely got them from Intel rather than bought them(lots of people on NBR work in IT).

 

I doubt they got it from intel. mostly ebay

 

Well then it's illegal according to Lithus' link and therefore it's against Forum Rules.

 

Fair enough , nobody ever did a thing about it so .. and you can still see/find very old threads related to ES cpu from highly rated NBR member.

 

The purchasing of Engineering Samples is illegal; using them isn't(assuming we ignore the scenario of how it was obtained). Since nobody ever mentioned where they got them most of the time(I assume), it's probably not against the rules simply to say. So if I was a lawyer, I'd argue that discussing the use without discussing the purchase isn't in itself a violation of the rules. Unfortunately, I'm not a lawyer

Either that or the mods simply didn't know.

 

If that's the case , then I recommend ScKaSx buying one as it's good value for money compared to retail or oem ones. Performance is great as it got unlocked multiplier and most of em got temp sensors. Selling is illegal but no one is , we are just debating and discussing.

They do have a good knowledge of things going on here. Go back to the 1st OP and scroll down.

 

Don't ask, don't tell.

 

There is a rule in the marketplace against selling or trading ES processors.

but theres no official rule against discussions yet..

 

Only reason I brought it up is because these threads, specifically about purchasing ES chips, pop up every few months.

 

Thank you !

 

Well see if we can make the rule official.

Yeah, the eBay price really sucks people into it.

I think it should be stopped at eBay. Im surprised Intel hasnt taken any action to bring the ES listings down.

 

Where do these retailers find the ES processors then if they are only intended to be given to "honest" reviewers, and testers before the new CPU is officially released to the public? How do big retailers or resellers get these ES CPU's in the first place? They obviously never disclose how they obtain ES processors, but make it like it's ok to just go out there and get ES processors that were never intended to be in the hands of the masses.

Also why should it be against the rules to talk about ES processors in here? Stupid censorship, everything has to be dumbed down for the masses and "politically corrected".

 

I've had no problem with the ES processors I've purchased, including my current one.

 

Did you guys even read this thread? Or did you just jump in here to protect your free speech "rights" on a privately owned forum?

The OP specifically asked about purchasing an ES CPU. I recommend that threads like these be automatically closed by moderators since the activity being discussed is illegal. Also because this question pops up over and over again, but I digress.

If you guys want to complain about censorship, go scream your heads off in a public park. That's where your right is.

 

My question is: Does Intel really even care?

When Intel starts caring about the high volume of ES on eBay, I'll believe there's an issue.

To answer the OP, always go with the engineering sample, make sure it's a Qualification Sample.

As far as NBR goes, I would understand if the discussion of ES was banned.

 

You need to read it again , he asked for opinions ... not about which one to get.

 

Exactly, the OP asked for opinions on buying an ES CPU from Ebay. Just because it's in two sentences doesn't mean it's not there. The period is not a "ignore the sentence ahead of this one" marker.

 

Can't it just be because the guy needed just the info as he doesn't know anything related to it ?

As far as I know , when someone ask a question .. just answer it. You don't like .. kept on walking.

 

I'm all for ES CPUs, some have extra cache enabled (t7100 ES with 4mb l2 cache).

I guess it depends on which ES CPU you are talking about, some are good and some not so good (but then they should be cheap).

They have their place.

@OP, do you have a link to what you're going to get?

 

My ES works ok, not as good as the new mobile i7's but it was only $200.
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Hey Guys! Wow! I didn't check back on this thread for acouple of days and it just took me afew minutes to read through all the responses. I'm not going to become the girl in that Super Bowl commercial, caught downloading mp3's am I!

In my own defense, I am ignorant ... seriously! Dead2th3world has it correct, as a newbie I just saw the stuff on ebay and had a question about it. I do apologize for bringing up a sensitive and "illegal?" topic. But atleast beginners like myself will be aware of it now. And YES, I asked for peoples opinion on 'buying' them because they are right there on ebay, for purchase! Ebay has blocked a good many things including wild animals, maybe engineering CPUS will be next.

 

I wouldn't worry so much about the "ethics" of buying such things. Intel almost has a monopoly over the notebook CPU market, and it only seems fair that you are able to buy a priced-down engineering sample version that comes without warranty and you usually have to export from China.

Just keep in mind the stepping; I bought one myself but it didn't come with thermal sensors ): It works alright, though... but knowing what the temp for your processor really it can help you a lot, especially when overclocking.

 

+1 for whichever one is cheaper, which is mostly ES.

 

It looks like there is two groups of people posting
Those that use them and like the cost savings, and others that feel strongly that they should never be discussed and would not consider buying them

I think that the OP has the information that he was looking for here so I will close this thread now as are now mostly going back and forth discussing the legalities




Alex