AMD Athlon How do you know which core?

[WildHorse]

After a couple hours reading far back into the history of this thread, and Anandtech cpu "Guides", and on AMD's web site, I don't understand how to tell which AMD Athlon cpu core you're getting. Everybody here seems to throw around names like Winchester and Newcastle like everybody understands except me.

When I buy my first 939 pin AMD Athlon cpu (soon) how can I tell its core? Apparently some models, like Athlon 3200+ & 3400+, come in at least 2 or maybe even 3 alternative cores. If I want a particular core, lets say Winchester just for discussion, then how do I make certain to buy that?

It'd be so helpful to just see a list of the cores according to which are newer / older technology.

 

[Fingers]

winchester is based on a 90 nanometer process. Just look for that in the details when buying.

 

[The J]

Look at the serial number of the processor you want to buy. Newcastles and Clawhammers end in AI, AX, AO, and AB I think (the second to last letter is an A). Winchesters end in BI. If you see something like ***BIBOX, then you have a retail Winchester (BOX means "Processor in a Box" or Retail).