Freaked
09-07-2000, 11:07 AM
Hello people I have a few questions regarding a processor upgrade. I am going to get the P3 850 slot one and I have found a few places that sell them but they have 2.
Here they are: INTEL P III 850 SLOT1 CPU-CB0 STEPPING RETAIL W/FAN (3 YEAR WARR.) $409
INTEL P III 850 100HZ/256K SECC2 CPU W/ FAN RETAIL(3 YEAR WARR) $389
What exactly is the difference between the two? What is CBO stepping. Thank you all
Target
09-08-2000, 01:30 AM
Stepping as it is commonly called, is really simply refinements to the original CPU core design. Think of it as a mid-year model of sorts.
Minor defects are corrected or improvements are implemented and then incorporated into the manufacturing process after initial production has begun. Often it is nothing more than a modification to improve CPU yields, but this too is a good thing for the consumer as well as the manufacturer.
Buying a CPU with the latest "stepping" assures you that you have gotten a CPU with the most recent manufacturing/design improvements. Sometimes this leads to a more stable unit, or one that is able to run faster based on the same design as its older and slower siblings. Pretty handy if you are into over-clocking.
CB0 is nothing more than the code or lable that Intel has designated to this iteration of the PIII CPU core. BTW, I believe that is still the most recent one available. Have heard that there will be yet another, but don't believe it has been released yet.
Since the vendor list two different Slot1 CPU's at the same speed, but only specifies one of them as having the CB0 stepping, I can only assume that the lower priced one has the older stepping, and because its older, they are offering it at a lower price to get rid of them.
Keep in mind, I wouldn't say there is anything wrong with the cheaper one, its just older is all by a few months probably. The warranty, rated speed in Mhz, and included fan/heat-sink, should all be the same.
If it were me though, I'd spend the extra $20 and get the newer stepping. I do overclock, and would gamble that the new stepping would allow me to achieve a higher final stable over-clocked speed than would the older stepping.