guide to amd steppings models, etc
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2002 9:35 am
this is ripped in its entirety from the front page of http://www.overclockers.com - not linkable but some very good info - give them a click sometime as payback for their work!
"How To Tell Them Apart"
Edward Stroligo - 11/4/02
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We pointed out the other day that AMD will have two or (somewhat later) even three types of processors available for each speed bin: Palominos, TBredAs and TBredBs.
To make your life easier, this will tell you how to tell them apart.
The Approach
There's two ways to buy a CPU, either over a website, or in person.
Websites rarely list CPUs by stepping code. They will, however, often list CPUs on their webpages and provide their OPNs. That's the ordering number.
So long as we have all these different type processors around, you should NOT order from any place that doesn't have the OPN listed along side the processor. If you do, you could well end up with a Palomino when you expected to get a TBred, or get a TBredA when you expected a TBredB. After all, the webpage said you were going to get an XP1800 or whatever, not that it was a Throughbred. If you want to send it back, expect to get hit with a restocking fee if the place has one.
On the other hand, if you order from a reseller that shows the OPN on the webpage (and save the webpage) and the OPN on the webpage indicates a Thoroughbred, if you get a Palomino, you're protected. They didn't send you what you ordered, and you have proof of it.
If you think I'm overly paranoid, well, I've been in this situation, and it works.
Never accept a salesman's verbal word that you'll get the "right" one. Most places have their goods in warehouses, often miles and miles away. The salesperson couldn't find out even if he wanted to, and many salesmen will tell you anything to get the sale, then deny it later. Always get it in writing before you order, any reputable place will be happy to do that if it's possible.
Website pages aren't always accurate. If there is any contradiction in the description of the item (i.e., the product is called .13 micron or "latest technology," but it has a Palomino OPN, either find another place, or email the reseller asking for written confirmation on just what it is they are selling.
What I've said works fine with OEM chips; retail boxes are another story, especially if you're buying in person. I just haven't looked at these boxes lately. Could somebody who can look at some tell me what kind of identifiers are on the outside of the box that might let people identify what they're getting?
Sooner or Later
The list below shows what you could theoretically end up with.
In all likelihood, what we're going to see are TBredAs showing up to replace the diminishing hoard of Palominos. While it is possible we'll see low-speed TBredBs too, first, don't count on it, and second, if they do show up soon, odds are they will be CPUs that just couldn't cut the mustard at higher speeds.
Perhaps in a few months, the TBredBs will begin to supplant the TBredAs. Perhaps not. We'll just have to see.
Which Codes Mean What
To make this easy, what you need to know is listed by processor speed.
The OPN information is printed somewhere on every AMD CPU. For all Palominos, if you're looking at one, the OPN is the first code printed on the core of the CPU located in the middle of the processor. For all Thoroughbreds, the OPN the first code printed on the black area on one edge of the CPU.
1700+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX1700DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA1700DLT3C, that's a Throughbred A.
1800+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX1800DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA1800DLT3C, that's a Throughbred A.
TBredB: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA1800DUT3C, that's a Throughbred B.
1900+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX1900DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA1900DLT3C, that's a Throughbred A.
2000+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX2000DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2000DKT3C, that's a Throughbred A.
TBredA/B: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2000DUT3C, that could be either a Thoroughbred A or Thoroughbred B. The only way to distinguish between the two is by the stepping code. A TBred A will have a stepping code like "AIRGA." A TBred B will have a stepping code like "AIUAB".
P.S. There's two listed TBredA types in the AMD techdoc. One uses 1.6V, the other uses 1.65V. The TBredB is solely 1.6V.
2100+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX2100DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA/B: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2000DUT3C, that could be either a Thoroughbred A or Thoroughbred B. The only way to distinguish between the two is by the stepping code. A TBred A will have a stepping code like "AIRGA." A TBred B will have a stepping code like "AIUAB.
2200+
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2200DKV3C, that's a Throughbred A.
TBredB: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2200DUV3C, that's a Throughbred B.
2400+
Sorry, no exciting choices here (yet). They're all TBredBs, and they'll have an order code of AXDA2400DKV3C.
Yes, the DKV part is the same as for the 2200+. That's because a TBredA runs at 1.65V (that's what the "K" stands for) at 2200+. A TBredB runs at 1.6V (that's what the "U" stands for) at 2200+ and 1.65V at 2400+ and above. 2600+
These are all TBredBs, too, but just in case "which one I am getting" is getting old, the 2600+ gives you a new, different challenge: What Speed Am I Getting? There will be two 2600+s, but they'll run at different speeds. Since the 333MHz bus helps performance, AMD figured (correctly) that a CPU running at a slightly lower speed and higher bus was the same as a CPU running at a higher speed and a lower bus.
The 2600+, 266MHz version, will run at 2133MHz.
The 2600+, 333MHz version, will run at 2083MHz.
We'll no doubt see more situations like this as the number of 333MHz processors expands.
The way you tell these apart by OPN is that the 266MHz processors will always have an OPN that ends in "C," while the 333MHz processors will always have an OPN that ends in "D."
Next spring, we'll get more of the same when Bartons show up. You'll have Bartons and TBreds running at the same speed, too.
I won't even mention Clawhammer DT, which may also come in at the same PR rating as one or more of the abovementioned.
Good luck.
"How To Tell Them Apart"
Edward Stroligo - 11/4/02
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We pointed out the other day that AMD will have two or (somewhat later) even three types of processors available for each speed bin: Palominos, TBredAs and TBredBs.
To make your life easier, this will tell you how to tell them apart.
The Approach
There's two ways to buy a CPU, either over a website, or in person.
Websites rarely list CPUs by stepping code. They will, however, often list CPUs on their webpages and provide their OPNs. That's the ordering number.
So long as we have all these different type processors around, you should NOT order from any place that doesn't have the OPN listed along side the processor. If you do, you could well end up with a Palomino when you expected to get a TBred, or get a TBredA when you expected a TBredB. After all, the webpage said you were going to get an XP1800 or whatever, not that it was a Throughbred. If you want to send it back, expect to get hit with a restocking fee if the place has one.
On the other hand, if you order from a reseller that shows the OPN on the webpage (and save the webpage) and the OPN on the webpage indicates a Thoroughbred, if you get a Palomino, you're protected. They didn't send you what you ordered, and you have proof of it.
If you think I'm overly paranoid, well, I've been in this situation, and it works.
Never accept a salesman's verbal word that you'll get the "right" one. Most places have their goods in warehouses, often miles and miles away. The salesperson couldn't find out even if he wanted to, and many salesmen will tell you anything to get the sale, then deny it later. Always get it in writing before you order, any reputable place will be happy to do that if it's possible.
Website pages aren't always accurate. If there is any contradiction in the description of the item (i.e., the product is called .13 micron or "latest technology," but it has a Palomino OPN, either find another place, or email the reseller asking for written confirmation on just what it is they are selling.
What I've said works fine with OEM chips; retail boxes are another story, especially if you're buying in person. I just haven't looked at these boxes lately. Could somebody who can look at some tell me what kind of identifiers are on the outside of the box that might let people identify what they're getting?
Sooner or Later
The list below shows what you could theoretically end up with.
In all likelihood, what we're going to see are TBredAs showing up to replace the diminishing hoard of Palominos. While it is possible we'll see low-speed TBredBs too, first, don't count on it, and second, if they do show up soon, odds are they will be CPUs that just couldn't cut the mustard at higher speeds.
Perhaps in a few months, the TBredBs will begin to supplant the TBredAs. Perhaps not. We'll just have to see.
Which Codes Mean What
To make this easy, what you need to know is listed by processor speed.
The OPN information is printed somewhere on every AMD CPU. For all Palominos, if you're looking at one, the OPN is the first code printed on the core of the CPU located in the middle of the processor. For all Thoroughbreds, the OPN the first code printed on the black area on one edge of the CPU.
1700+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX1700DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA1700DLT3C, that's a Throughbred A.
1800+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX1800DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA1800DLT3C, that's a Throughbred A.
TBredB: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA1800DUT3C, that's a Throughbred B.
1900+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX1900DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA1900DLT3C, that's a Throughbred A.
2000+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX2000DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2000DKT3C, that's a Throughbred A.
TBredA/B: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2000DUT3C, that could be either a Thoroughbred A or Thoroughbred B. The only way to distinguish between the two is by the stepping code. A TBred A will have a stepping code like "AIRGA." A TBred B will have a stepping code like "AIUAB".
P.S. There's two listed TBredA types in the AMD techdoc. One uses 1.6V, the other uses 1.65V. The TBredB is solely 1.6V.
2100+
Palominos: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AX2100DMT3C, that's a Palomino.
TBredA/B: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2000DUT3C, that could be either a Thoroughbred A or Thoroughbred B. The only way to distinguish between the two is by the stepping code. A TBred A will have a stepping code like "AIRGA." A TBred B will have a stepping code like "AIUAB.
2200+
TBredA: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2200DKV3C, that's a Throughbred A.
TBredB: If the website you're ordering from shows an order code of AXDA2200DUV3C, that's a Throughbred B.
2400+
Sorry, no exciting choices here (yet). They're all TBredBs, and they'll have an order code of AXDA2400DKV3C.
Yes, the DKV part is the same as for the 2200+. That's because a TBredA runs at 1.65V (that's what the "K" stands for) at 2200+. A TBredB runs at 1.6V (that's what the "U" stands for) at 2200+ and 1.65V at 2400+ and above. 2600+
These are all TBredBs, too, but just in case "which one I am getting" is getting old, the 2600+ gives you a new, different challenge: What Speed Am I Getting? There will be two 2600+s, but they'll run at different speeds. Since the 333MHz bus helps performance, AMD figured (correctly) that a CPU running at a slightly lower speed and higher bus was the same as a CPU running at a higher speed and a lower bus.
The 2600+, 266MHz version, will run at 2133MHz.
The 2600+, 333MHz version, will run at 2083MHz.
We'll no doubt see more situations like this as the number of 333MHz processors expands.
The way you tell these apart by OPN is that the 266MHz processors will always have an OPN that ends in "C," while the 333MHz processors will always have an OPN that ends in "D."
Next spring, we'll get more of the same when Bartons show up. You'll have Bartons and TBreds running at the same speed, too.
I won't even mention Clawhammer DT, which may also come in at the same PR rating as one or more of the abovementioned.
Good luck.
