** Have the new P4 1.8a stepping (SL68Q)? What oc? Where purchased? **

[lookin4dlz]

I've just about decided to get the 1.8a if I can get one that's using the new stepping. Hopefully, this chip is offering a better oc

To help me seal the deal, if you have this chip would you mind posting:
*what oc you're getting
*where you purchased it
Thanks!

 

[CrazySaint]

I wanna know, too ***bumpage***

 

[fatbaby]

how do you know if you have it?

 

[Wingznut]

What makes you think a SL68Q is a new stepping?

 

[lookin4dlz]

The big deal is that the size shrink may increase overclockability. Some people have been hitting higher oc's with later packing date 1.8a chips.

Here's where I first read about the cange: "New Intel Chips" @ overclockers.com

The following from the Intel site, dated July 2002, shows that this is a new specification update.
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Specification Update

And then there is Product Change Notification # 102322-01 that provides more information:

Description of Change to the Customer:
Rev. 1 is being published to communicate that the Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with 512KB
L2 cache on .13 micron process, 1.80A GHz with 400 system bus, will convert from B-0
non-shrink to B-0 shrink. The order codes have been added in bold type to the products
affected table. (See ?Products Affected Table? below.)

Below is from the Original Product Change Notification:
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with 512KB L2 Cache on .13 Micron Process will undergo
the following changes:
· 5% Linear Shrink, 10% area shrink
· New S-Specs for affected line items
· Minor visible difference on the package due to reorientation of capacitor
placement
· Capacitor count, decoupling, and electrical characteristics remain unchanged.
· No functional flash specification changes

 

[lookin4dlz]

Here's how to identify your chip:

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Markings (see page 34)

Picture of an actual PIII

 

[Wingznut]

Heh, yeah I'm pretty familiar with the shrink.

But how do you know that SL68Q is one of those?

 

[lookin4dlz]

Well, the documentation isn't 100% clear. However, the first Intel webpage (specificatrion update), which was dated July 2002 states that SL68Q is a new/modified chip specification for the 1.8a. The second webpage (Product Change Notification) dated in July, states that the 1.8a is undergoing the shrink. Therefore, putting these two documents together, you would assume that the SL68Q is the specification undergoing the shrink. Is there anyway you can confirm Wingznut? Thanks!

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: lookin4dlz
Is there anyway you can confirm Wingznut? Thanks!

Actually, no... I'm curious as well. But I don't think that SL68Q is a new one, because the Intel datasheets (that I've seen) don't list a separate one for the "pre-shrink." They only list one, as if there's only one stepping out.

But I could be wrong, as I don't know anything more than anyone else about packaged cpu's and their relationship with the S-Spec.