How does one read the codes off an Intel ES?

[ablaze]

the usual sspecs don't apply to Intel engineering samples. can we tell the week it was produced and if its a D0 or E0 stepping just by readin the markings on the cpu? thanks in advance for any help guys :toast:

[jjcom]

mmmm...unsure...I would guess try and read it like a normal CPU. That might work, but it depends on the ES. Some seem to be more criptic than others so who knows...your not really suposed to let others see the stepping and code and such so basicly don't post it to try and help us.

jjcom

[Aphex_Tom_9]

i still want to know HOW people get a hold of these things! they're supposed to be in-house no?

[jjcom]

yeah, but say you know someone who works for Intel then you've got an in, haven't people stuck em on ebay before? Sounds like you just have to know where to look to find one.

jjcom

[craig588]

I got an early 3.0C ES back when 3.0Cs were the fastest things out, the guy that gave it to me sanded the IHS so it couldn't be traced back from the numbers on it. You need to find someone whos company works closely with Intel and is high ranking in their company to get a chance at one. Direct from Intel is another option, but I would imagine it's much harder.

[Xerxes]

anyone thats an intel employee and not a contract worker can get them easily. Their last loaner chip in the past couple of months was a choice of either a 3.2e 478 or a 3.6e 775 though alot of them somehow managed to get both though they do still give their employees EEs on occasion. Alot of those es samples though failed a part of their qa, some dont even post :)

[lutjens]

I don't think there is way to read the stepping of the chip off of an ES. Week of manufacture can be read, and I'd think the best way to try and see the stepping would be to compare it to retail processors week of manufacture. That would get you in the ballpark, but there are still no guarantees.

As always though, the newer, the better.:)