Help required identifying Intel processor

[SirDice]

No need to completely build a machine and installing windows just to find out what processor it is.
Just stick in any kind of VGA card (AGP/PCI doesn't matter). Hookup a powersupply and switch it on. Most BIOSes will show exactly what processor/speed it is..

[nihil]

Hi Audio2U

Just stick in any kind of VGA card (AGP/PCI doesn't matter). Hookup a powersupply and switch it on. Most BIOSes will show exactly what processor/speed it is..

SirDice has a point there HOWEVER.....................as you can read the numbers on top of the processor, you will need thermal paste, a heatsink and fan

I would not mess with your existing system as I very much doubt if the Intel box will be as fast, assuming you have some decent DDR RAM?

The 512Mb is PC800 RAMBUS RIMMS which is very fast, but bloody expensive! That in itself is interesting as Intel and RAMBUS were only partners for a short while. This suggests to me that it is a fairly early Pentium, from the days when Intel were having serious difficulty matching AMD for performance. It was really only the superiority of the PC800 RAMBUS memory over PC2100DDR that kept them in contention.

I would get a moderately priced case and a cheap AGP card (4x will do) and take it from there. Remember that the board and processor are already 3 years old, so it is only worth spending so much.

Incidentally, I would only tolerate on board graphics in a very low end system. The fact that this board does not have them indicates that it was higher end when it was new

Good luck

[!mitationRust]

Originally posted here by Audio2U
Hi guys,
A friend of mine just gave me an Intel D850MV motherboard and P4 processor.
Only thing is, he can't remember what the clock speed of the processor is.
I was wondering, is there a way to identify the processor by the long alphanumerical text strings printed on the top of the processor?
On the assumption that there is, here are the strings:

1) L237A243-0124

2) 88532PE003512

I use this link all the time to check what stepping the chip has and to confirm the chips people sell in classified sections and on Ebay. There's always someone trying to scam.

http://processorfinder.intel.com/scripts/default.asp

[nihil]

Hmmm,

I have the same problem.................what we need is the 5-digit code to the right of the top number:

http://www.intel.com/support/process.../cs-016552.htm

I am starting to guess that this is OEM and not a boxed component?

[Audio2U]

Nihil,
Correct. It was not a boxed chip. It was given to my friend by Intel for review purposes, but he's finished with it, and they didn't want it back, so he gave it to me.
I've looked, and can't find the 5 digit code you refer to. I followed that link that ImitationRust put up, and I can see those codes, but there doesn't appear to be anything like that on this chip.
I'll type in everything I can read off the top of the chip.
-----
Intel confidential
QRBOES Malay
L237A243-0124
i(some symbol I can't distinguish)(p)'01 88532PE003512
------
And that's all she wrote.

[!mitationRust]

Take a picture of the chip...........does it say Costa Rica on the IHS (Internal Heat Spreader). Let's have a look at what's been laser etched.

[Audio2U]

Sorry for the delay.
No, no mention of Costa Rica anywhere.
It does says 'Malay' on the top.

[nihil]

OMG

This gets worse!

QRBOES and Malay are both Intel S/Ns:

http://swe.aopen.com.tw/testreport/m...=494&model=618

Look at the S/N column around the middle!

So, it is a P4 Northwood with a speed of either 2.26 or 3.06MHz

Might be a coincidence, but this box has a P4 2.26 and I had no problem in overclocking it to 3.066MHz.

It may just be an urban legend, but I have heard that chips that don't quite pass their spec are sold as lower performance.

Sounds like a prototype 2.26~3.06?

Given that the MoBo is 2.6MHz I guess that is what it will be set at?

[Audio2U]

Originally posted here by nihil
OMG

This gets worse!

Why "gets worse"? What's wrong with it?

So, it is a P4 Northwood with a speed of either 2.26 or 3.06MHz

Might be a coincidence, but this box has a P4 2.26 and I had no problem in overclocking it to 3.066MHz.

Well, that's pretty cool to me! Is there something I should be worried about, Nihil?

[foxyloxley]

It may just be an urban legend, but I have heard that chips that don't quite pass their spec are sold as lower performance.

not myth, is true, when the chip fails to meet the spec for 3Gig, BUT it DID work, they re-label it acordingly. It's allowed to sell on 3 Gig chips as lower spec, and it makes some money too.

I was reading it in a mag [so it MUST be true] I would look for the link, but I'm getting ready for me jolly holidays right NOW, and will be leaving for the airport in just a couple of hours .......

if I even suggested taking a laptop with me
life would NOT be good, bloody short though