Cpu w/ fan pre-installed, how to tell what type of chip?

[KhanAlf]

I purchased a pre-built system and just swapped a mobo with the fan on the cpu. Outside of removing the fan, is there an alternative way to find out the serial numbers and other useful information on the chip itself? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[PrincessGuard]

CPU-Z

You probably can't get the serial number, but why do you need it anyway?

 

[redbeard1]

This may also be useful.

Belarc Advisor

 

[KhanAlf]

The reason I was curious was because I didn't know what socket it was and which revision it was. I am new to the technical aspects of computers and wanted to educate myself with the details, starting with the computer I have. My next two questions, if any reader has the patience to answer, is what does the "Socket A" signify and what does "Stepping 1" and Revision B0 mean as well? Where can I go to learn what all this means? Sorry for the annoying questions, just trying to get my bearings.

 

[amdskip]

Socket A means the physical form the processor takes. Duron/Athlon 600 - fastest XP chip out there are mainly socket A format. The previous standard was slot A. Steppings can be used to somewhat guess on how much a chip will overclock.

 

[KhanAlf]

Thanks for the responses! I am going to scrounge around for a dummy's guide to overclocking to save everyone's time. Any recommendations where I can find the basic, fundamental how-to guides on computers? I find myself learning a lot reading the forums and articles but I know a lot of the information is way over my head.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

the only real way to determine the info on the chip is to actually look at it(removing the HSF..) B0 stepping 1 +AMD ...AIDA32 is useful but the real way to determine what you have is to visually look. This could be useful. gl