X9100 - Final Steppings?

I'm getting ready to buy an X9100 ES. Most of them are QBDW, with 6 stepping and an A0 revision. However, a few are QHBQ, with A stepping and an E0 revision. Which one is the actual final QS/what will be used for retail chip - as the same seller (he has one of each) claims that both are QS on the product pages?

And, am I going to find a huge difference between them - especially at a premium of $100?

 

Never seen an E0 revision of a Penryn XE. The final revision of a Penryn XE is C0 (X9000/X9100).

Avoid an ES CPU. You'll have trouble monitoring the core temperatures, and there is a chance that it could be a lemon or have some serious bugs.
Try searching for a C0 revision QS X9100. It'll be better to spend a couple of more $50 for a QS CPU.

If its for the E6400^, don't bother upgrading tbh.

 

I have a QBDW C0 stepping, which is a Qualification Sample.

Already posted in the Sony forum - I installed it in Vaio Z.

All in all - this CPU is very hot - minimum VID is very high 1.0V (could be different on retail ones) and 3.07 GHz runs with 1.225V

The best I could do is to undervolt everything up to 2.66 GHz to 1.0V and disable 2.8 GHz and 3.06 GHz frequencies, otherwise the Z was just not able to cool it (you can see temperature @3 Ghz spiking to 105 degrees and then the auto-throttling/PROCHOT mechanisms kick in).

If your lappy can support this CPU in terms on thermal management, then those QS might be a good buy as they can be found for a good price on ebay.

But, I'll be looking to replace this one with P9600 - I don't need the extra 0.4 GHz and I'd prefer cooler CPU much more anyways.

 

QBDW is not that hot in my M860TU. MAX Temp default is ~85°C. UV to 1.1375V max ~72°C.

Normally E0 is better than C0, havn´t tried. Don´t know if it´s cooler....

 

It really depends on your notebook's thermal management system.

I guess bigger (e.g. 14-15") notebooks are much better in this regard, as they have much more space and also allow for heavier thermal management components.

My Sony Vaio Z is definitely not in that league - even before I powered it on with X9100 I knew it's going to be very hot, as it's cooling hardware is really very basic with small cooling "pads" with two small heatpipes that lead to a small heatsink... all powered by a small fan.

 

The Latitude E6400 I'm planning to use it in is 14.1". Not great, but the whole bottom of the notebook is magnesium alloy, and chances are that when I'll be using it under real stress, it will be on my cooling pad (not that it needs one).

I'm sensing the verdict here is to go with the C0. The C0, by the way, is claimed to be a QS. However, the E0 is as well. By the same person, no less.

 

http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLB48

SLB48 is a retail spec, and it is C0

 

There was a SLGE7 which was an E0 revision. Dunno what was special in E0 -.-

 

I saw many people selling OEM with C0, but also some with E0.
Maybe C0 was the original version, and perhaps E0 was an optimized version that Intel made later to cut heat output. The seller that has the E0 QS says that it runs cooler than the C0 QS.

 

A user: E-Wrecked had one. You can probably get some feedback on this CPU from him. Or just try googling some info on this CPU.

If the heat output was reduced, I wonder why Intel retired this CPU....

 

Did they? I wasn't aware. Most manufacturers are still selling them...

I read this article: http://www.xcpus.com/GetDoc.aspx?doc=49&page=1, which is about desktop processors, but whatever. Same thing - C0 to E0. The key changes, apparently, were:

Release of different and new packaging materials that are now halide free (addressing environmental awareness)
New instruction extensions (XSAVE/SRSTOR)
Support for power status indicator (unknown at this time)
Speed path improvements enabling higher speed bins

Nothing major, to my understanding...

 

I'm running a C0 ES, and it runs fine.

The homework you have to do is on the reputation of the seller, not so much the chip. If it says "no problems" and the guy has 99% feedback, you're gonna be good. Most of the people with problems just picked the lowest price.

 

I think E0 will be fine. A couple of new Penryns have the E0 revision as well.

C0 X9100ES are QS CPUs, so that'll be fine as well.

 

Well, the seller is 100% positive, and has the lowest price (C0), so I guess I'm covered. I'll be buying it tommorrow, and probably be posting my impressions (vs T9600) next weekend.

 

imvho, the upgrade is not worth it, unless you're selling the T9600 to offset the cost of the upgrade.

 

If the cpu core die is golden colored it cant moniter temperatures. If it looks black it can. Some chinese guy who sells them on ebay told me that he knew what he was talking about.

 

c0 or e0 are both fine.

 

Yes, I already asked about temps, and he said that it does monitor them.

And of course it wouldn't be worth it if I wansnt selling the T9600. I managed to sell it for $350, which I think is acceptable. That is how much I'm getting the X9100 QS for.

 

So there should be no problems putting a X9100 inside a Qosmio x305? I am planning to raplace the weak P7350 that came originally with it.

What about the T9600? Is it a hot CPU? Would you prefer it over the X9100?

(Sorry asking for opinions about this one, but I am indeed irresolute about buying one or the other)

Thanks!

 

Any 17" should be able to handle a X9100, unless your cooling system is REALLY pathetic.
The X9100 definitely runs hotter than the T9xx series CPUs. If you can, get a T9800 or T9900, which will bring you to 2.93/3.06 at the lower TDP, albeit at a slightly higher price.