Sunday, February 1st 2009

Intel Plans New Stepping for its 2.66GHz Core i7 920 Processor

Intel has announced plans to supply its partners and distributors with a new batch of Core i7 920 processors, that have their stepping updated from the current C-0 to D-0. Ready to ship on March 2nd, the new stepping will feature:
  • New S-spec (from SLBCH to SLBEJ) and Material Master numbers for the converting products.
  • CPUID will change from 0x000106A4 to 0x000106A5.
  • The electrical, mechanical and thermal specifications remain within the current specifications. Intel anticipates no changes to customer platforms designed to previous Intel guidelines.
  • Readable serial number will be removed from the package ink swatch to fully mitigate the potential risk of the IHS cosmetically overlapping a marked serial number. There is no change to the ULT matrix content which continues to contain the serial number.
A motherboard BIOS update will be required to identify the new stepping CPUs correctly.
Sources: TechConnect Magazine, Intel
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38 Comments on Intel Plans New Stepping for its 2.66GHz Core i7 920 Processor

#1
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
Hmm, would it be worth waiting a month to get this newer chip though? :confused:
Posted on Reply
#2
Weer
FordGT90ConceptHmm, would it be worth waiting a month to get this newer chip though? :confused:
Only if it overclocks better.
Posted on Reply
#3
freaksavior
To infinity ... and beyond!
FordGT90ConceptHmm, would it be worth waiting a month to get this newer chip though? :confused:
WeerOnly if it overclocks better.
We will find out.

I've been eying a i7 and since this is a new stepping i wanna know if its better. Usually newer revisions have lead to better oc. It would be nice if we had another G0 series
Posted on Reply
#4
TheGuruStud
freaksaviorWe will find out.

I've been eying a i7 and since this is a new stepping i wanna know if its better. Usually newer revisions have lead to better oc. It would be nice if we had another G0 series
As long as it doesn't end up like the newer G0s. I saw two that wouldn't go past 2.8 and 3.2 w/o V above 1.5. Talk about two disappointed people.
Posted on Reply
#5
Marineborn
gmmm, wonder how much they will be on release, ive been looking to build a 3rd computer using a i7 chip!
Posted on Reply
#6
freaksavior
To infinity ... and beyond!
TheGuruStudAs long as it doesn't end up like the newer G0s. I saw two that wouldn't go past 2.8 and 3.2 w/o V above 1.5. Talk about two disappointed people.
yeah, i mean b3 sucked then the new revision G0 was awesome so hope its like those and not the current G0
Posted on Reply
#7
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
freaksavioryeah, i mean b3 sucked then the new revision G0 was awesome so hope its like those and not the current G0
some B3's clocked very well remember that ;)
Posted on Reply
#8
freaksavior
To infinity ... and beyond!
cdawallsome B3's clocked very well remember that ;)
"some" of them did chris. Just some though
Posted on Reply
#9
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
freaksavior "some" of them did chris. Just some though
with good cooling almost all do
Posted on Reply
#10
freaksavior
To infinity ... and beyond!
cdawallwith good cooling almost all do
Not in the mood to aruge with you today so whatever.
Posted on Reply
#11
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
freaksaviorNot in the mood to aruge with you today so whatever.
damn your no fun
Posted on Reply
#12
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
What I don't get is why they are doing this? What exactly did they change that warrants the update and why aren't the other Nehalem processors mentioned? Is there a flaw in 920 that isn't present in the other chips?
Posted on Reply
#13
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
FordGT90ConceptWhat I don't get is why they are doing this? What exactly did they change that warrants the update and why aren't the other Nehalem processors mentioned? Is there a flaw in 920 that isn't present in the other chips?
there were several rumors that the i7 chips were having an issue very similar to the B2 stepping of phenom's but intel has kept it under wraps
Posted on Reply
#14
Weer
cdawallwith good cooling almost all do
I'll argue with you :D

You see, the B3 stepping could overclock "well" but it could still never overclock to anything near what G0 could. With an Ultra 120 eXtreme you'd get 70C load on both chips - the B3 running 3.2Ghz and the G0 running 3.6-3.8Ghz. The only problem with the G0 is that at the time, there weren't any boards to overclock them past 3.6Ghz, and if you wanted SLi that made it even worse.
Posted on Reply
#15
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
WeerI'll argue with you :D

You see, the B3 stepping could overclock "well" but it could still never overclock to anything near what G0 could. With an Ultra 120 eXtreme you'd get 70C load on both chips - the B3 running 3.2Ghz and the G0 running 3.6-3.8Ghz. The only problem with the G0 is that at the time, there weren't any boards to overclock them past 3.6Ghz, and if you wanted SLi that made it even worse.
hehe i was kidding with aaron and remember who i am by good cooling LN2 is my version of "good"
Posted on Reply
#16
Weer
FordGT90ConceptWhat I don't get is why they are doing this? What exactly did they change that warrants the update and why aren't the other Nehalem processors mentioned? Is there a flaw in 920 that isn't present in the other chips?
Actually, you're right. Intel has ABSOLUTELY no reason to make a better-overclocking chip. And if they actually did make one, it would be a worthy advertising aspect, like the huge rave regarding the G0's that broke the line between buying a dual-core or a quad-core.
Posted on Reply
#17
Weer
cdawallhehe i was kidding with aaron and remember who i am by good cooling LN2 is my version of "good"
If you have LN2, there is really no point for comparing the overclocking capability of the chip, as you they will all break 5.0Ghz-6.0Ghz without the heat envelope being an issue.
Posted on Reply
#18
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
WeerIf you have LN2, there is really no point for comparing the overclocking capability of the chip, as you they will all break 5.0Ghz-6.0Ghz without the heat envelope being an issue.
:D well what can i say i'm a big pain in the ass


oh well back on topic hopefully whatever they are changing doesn't make the chips worse.
Posted on Reply
#19
lemonadesoda
This has nothing to do with "overclocking" or improving the spec of the processor. G0 is updating the microcode and/or logic circuits to handle issues typically documented in processor stepping "errata".

G0 is fixing some of these issues: download.intel.com/design/processor/specupdt/320836.pdf

...especially TLB bug which IIRC Core2 G0 steppings have already fixed.
Posted on Reply
#20
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
If this fixes an issue that was as major as Phenom's, it would be worth waiting a month or two to get the newer version but, if it doesn't, it probably isn't worth waiting for. Bah, to wait or not to wait. :(
Posted on Reply
#21
Weer
FordGT90ConceptIf this fixes an issue that was as major as Phenom's, it would be worth waiting a month or two to get the newer version but, if it doesn't, it probably isn't worth waiting for. Bah, to wait or not to wait. :(
I say you wait until they lower the price of the 940 to the price of the 920. That will raise your multiplier by 4%, and it's vitally needed.
Posted on Reply
#22
Weer
cdawall:D well what can i say i'm a big pain in the ass


oh well back on topic hopefully whatever they are changing doesn't make the chips worse.
You sure are. I don't know why people put up with you. :cool:
Posted on Reply
#23
HaZe303
Typical, just bought my 920?? :) So me, to buy something a month before an upgrade/update?? Hehe, but I dont care, the only reason I would buy the updated version was not better OC, but lower temps? These chips are so damn hot?
Posted on Reply
#24
trickson
OH, I have such a headache
Is this going to increase over clocking ? I hope so . Really not that interesting unless it can give high clock speeds .
Posted on Reply
#25
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
WeerI say you wait until they lower the price of the 940 to the price of the 920. That will raise your multiplier by 4%, and it's vitally needed.
The prices aren't likely to go anywhere until the 32nm parts are out. They are a league of their own. :(
Posted on Reply
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