Here at OcPrices, we have a relatively large turnaround of AMD processors, and in constructing a couple of machines of late, I have noticed a phenomenal increase in overclockability. My latest wunder-chip is a Malaysian XP1800+, with the following stepping:
As you can see it looks no different from any other Athlon XP 1800+, but if you analyse the stepping carefully, you will notice that the second line and third line correspond to a much faster chip. A useful site for analysing what chip you really have can be found here, simply input your code number and it will tell you exactly what chip you have.
Athlon XP Processor
Low-end
Core
Thoroughbred-B
CPU Model
8
Performance Rating
1800+
Working frequency
1533 MHz
Package Type
OPGA
Operating Voltage
1.6 V
Max Die Temperature
90° C
L1 Cache Size
128 KB
L2 Cache Size
256 KB
Multiplier
11.5x
FSB Frequency
266 MHz
Stepping Code
JIUCB
Manufacture Year
2002
Manufacture Week
50
Production Batch
P
Batch Production Number
0114
Downgraded from
2600+
As you can see, this particular chip was originally a 2600+, and AMD have simply siphoned off batches from faster production lines to supplement slower models where demand is higher. Just goes to show how much profit margin there is on an XP2600+ if they can be marketed and sold as a mere 1800+ ;-)
Let's see if this puppy performs as it was originally intended!
