What are CG/C0 stepping?

[Sulaco]

Someone recently asked me whether I had "CG" or "C0" stepping on my motherboard, and I have no clue what this is.

Anyone offer a quick explanation and why it's important? Thanks!

 

[LocutusX]

They're steppings for Athlon64 desktop CPUs. Not sure if the mobiles have the same designations.

C0 = older, most Clawhammers.
CG = newer, All Newcastles, Some Clawhammers

CG is better in so many ways. Improved memory controller which is more stable and can handle tighter timings, higher frequencies, use of 1T CMD. They also overclock much farther.

It's currently a toss-up as to whether CG-Claw or CG-Newcast are better overclockers. I'll lean towards the Newcast since thats what I have.

But I'd say avoid the C0 Claw's. The only thing they have on the Newcast's is more L2 cache, which isn't all that necessary for A64s anyways.

BTW this should be posted in the CPU forum.

 

[Sulaco]

I have an A64 3000+ with 512 cache.

I'm really not sure if its a Newcastle or Clawhammer, but I am fairly certain its a Newcastle. Is there anyway I can find out for sure?

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: Sulaco
I have an A64 3000+ with 512 cache.

I'm really not sure if its a Newcastle or Clawhammer, but I am fairly certain its a Newcastle. Is there anyway I can find out for sure?

You can look at the product# on the IHS:

ADA3000AEP4AP: Clawhammer Rev.C0
ADA3000AEP4AR: Clawhammer Rev.CG
ADA3000AEP4AX: Newcastle Rev.CG


You can also use this: CPU-Z