Several posters have commented about Sandy Bridge steppings and advised that the C stepping is the one to look for to maximize chances of a good overclock. Is there a way to identify the stepping from the codes on the box? Thanks

Several posters have commented about Sandy Bridge steppings and advised that the C stepping is the one to look for to maximize chances of a good overclock. Is there a way to identify the stepping from the codes on the box? Thanks

There's only one stepping for Sandy Bridge chips that you can check with CPU-Z, but the "C" you're looking for is the batch, not the stepping.It's in the chip itself:http://cdn.cpu-world.com/Images/uploaded/0000/42/L_00004227.jpgthis one has L036B110, so it's a "B" batch

Thanks for your quick response. I picked one up at Fry's this afternoon and wound up with an an A stepping. The chip is marked L050A933. Is that significant? Should I try to find a C unit?

Retailers don't pick the batches so they're most likely going to tell you that they have no control on what batch you get and they won't accept "I don't like this batch" as a reason for RMA. Don't worry too much, it's a gamble anyway, maybe 100 -200MHz more or less won't make that much of a difference

Retailers don't pick the batches so they're most likely going to tell you that they have no control on what batch you get and they won't accept "I don't like this batch" as a reason for RMA. Don't worry too much, it's a gamble anyway, maybe 100 -200MHz more or less won't make that much of a difference

I don't know how correct the "C" part is about being a better chip. Are there any links about that batch? After having my L041B204 pass the Intel Burn test at 5g at 1.43v I just finished a flight in FSX. I read that the Malaysia chips are the ones to look for. I noticed that one CPU with the same number as this one ran 5.7g. They all seem pretty good I think.CPU Benchmarks 15.7g L041B204MotherloadKind regards,

I don't know how correct the "C" part is about being a better chip. Are there any links about that batch? After having my L041B204 pass the Intel Burn test at 5g at 1.43v I just finished a flight in FSX. I read that the Malaysia chips are the ones to look for. I noticed that one CPU with the same number as this one ran 5.7g. They all seem pretty good I think.CPU Benchmarks 15.7g L041B204MotherloadKind regards,

I have no idea which batchs are better or worse to be honest. There's this thread where some C chips got to 5GHz with less than 1.4V though, but who knows1.43 seems a bit too much for a 32nm Stephen, are you sure you want to run that 24/7 or is it just for testing purposes?

I have no idea which batchs are better or worse to be honest. There's this thread where some C chips got to 5GHz with less than 1.4V though, but who knows1.43 seems a bit too much for a 32nm Stephen, are you sure you want to run that 24/7 or is it just for testing purposes?

Ho Dario,I just wanted to pass the 5g test, take a flight, then dial it back to 4.8 and 1.35v for FSX. Non FSX will be @ 4.6.There is no need to push. There is enough sheer power and speed to go around.Kind regards,

Ho Dario,I just wanted to pass the 5g test, take a flight, then dial it back to 4.8 and 1.35v for FSX. Non FSX will be @ 4.6.There is no need to push. There is enough sheer power and speed to go around.Kind regards,

Completely agree. I'll be happy if my I5 hits 4.5 - 4.6GHz4.8GHz @ 1.35V looks awesome! that looks to me perfectly safe for FSX too, but your call of course ^_^Man, can't wait for my new goodies to arrive, I'm getting ready downloading W7's SP1 and looking for the new lynkpack that suports AVX for my stress tests

Completely agree. I'll be happy if my I5 hits 4.5 - 4.6GHz4.8GHz @ 1.35V looks awesome! that looks to me perfectly safe for FSX too, but your call of course ^_^Man, can't wait for my new goodies to arrive, I'm getting ready downloading W7's SP1 and looking for the new lynkpack that suports AVX for my stress tests

Do the intel guys know which batches will overclock faster? Or is the "gamble" because they don't have the manufacturing technology perfected yet-