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This thread is here for one purpose, to tell you which steppings to look for if you want to hit the magical 3ghz. All of the steppings listed below have been known to hit 3ghz @ 1.55v and under, some @ as little as 1.4v!

Now, obviously a stepping doesn't guarantee anything, but if you want those clocks you have to start somewhere. Some chips from these steppings top out @ 2.8ghz, so you never know what you're gonna get. Still, these steppings have proven themselves time and time again to be exceptional.

EXAMPLE:


What do the letters mean?

CCBWE/CCB1E/CCBBE

freecableguy @ xtremesystems wrote:

Example: CCBWE CCBBE 1st letter: "production/release code" Pre-production or early samples have an "A" here where final production batches will be a "C" (for current chips). Some may recall that Venice samples where seen in the wild as "ABBLE" and current production runs are "LBBLE". While complete understanding of this is unknown at this time, it is clear that this has something to do with early samples. CCBBE 2nd letter: "core cache code" A = single core, 1MB B = single core, 512KB C = dual core, 1MB (each) D = dual core, 512MB (each) Note: 'Toledo' cores (1MB) with half the cache disabled will still be coded as "C". Therefore, you can see earlie 4600+ samples as ACXXX with only 512KB per core enabled. CCBBE 3rd and 4th letters/numbers: "memory controller revision" Works like a counter using all letter of the alphabet and digits 1-9. 3rd letter increments when running though all available 'steppings' as noted by the 4th letter. FX-55: XXA2X FX-57: XXBNX FX-57 (new stepping)/FX-60: XXB2X 3700+ (new stepping): XXB3X Opteron 165/170:XXBWX, XXB1X, XXBBX ... and so on... CCBBE 5th letter: "revision code" C = rev C (as in CG Clawhammers) D = rev D (as in D0 for CBBID chips....) E = rev E (as in the rev E 'San Diego' core) -FCG & s7e9h3n

0530, 0534, 0550, 0551, 0606, 0607, 0608, 0610 etc. etc. etc.
Simple,
the first 2 numbers (0610) are the year the CPU was made
the second 2 numbers (0610) are the week of that year that the CPU was produced (hence the highest it could ever be is 52)

MPMW, UPMW, VPMW, DPMW etc. etc.
These are some kind of packing code, it is beleived that the first letter (DPMW) has to do with the day the CPU was made, the details are still unknown. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Steppings You Want:
CCBWE 0550UPMW - this one is the exception to the rule, this stepping actually has quite a few total duds that can't exceed 2.7ghz. Still, I myself have owned one that did 3ghz.
CCB1E 0550VPMW
CCB1E 0605XPMW
CCB1E 0606VPMW
CCB1E 0608MPMW
CCB1E 0609FPAW
CCB1E 0609FPMW
CCBBE 0610DPMW

Honorable Mention:
CCBWE 0530TPMW -> most of them cant quite hit 3ghz, more like 2.9-2.95.
CCBWE 0546XPMW -> OK stepping, 2.85-2.9ghz average
CCBWE 0609FPAW -> Do not confuse with the CCB1E 0609FPAW, which is a better CPU. This CCBWE version seems to be a 2.9ghz average.

KNOWN steppings to AVOID if you want at least 2.9ghz:

CCBWE 0607_____(Any processor of that week)
CCBWE 0602_____(Any processor of that week)
CCBWE 0551_____(Any processor of that week)
CCBWE 0546MPMW
CCBWE 0543TPMW
CCBWE 0534SPMW

Higher models (175, 180, 185) are a waste of money and wont fetch any higher clocks.

Notice a pattern? Almost all of them are CCB1E, with a brand new exception being CCBBE. The CCBWEs are for the most part not that great, and should generally be avoided for you extremists (like me )

If its a CCBBE or CCB1E, chances are you're looking at 2.8ghz minimum, and possibly up to 3.2ghz on the extreme high end.

If its a CCBWE you're more likely looking at 2.6ghz on the low end and 2.9ghz on the extreme high end (Most CCBWEs max out at ~2.75-2.8ghz)

These maximum clocks are based on a maximum of 1.55v and H2O. On air I wouldnt exceed 1.5v myself and you might be looking at 50-100mhz less.

For the most extreme discussion of dual core opterons on the web go here:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=77857

Again, some chips from the above excellent steppings will be total GEMs, maybe doing 3ghz @ 1.4v or less! Other may not get over 2800mhz @ 1.55v. It's all luck of the draw.

If you want to know what stepping you are going to get before you buy, go here and see Dave: www.flickerdown.com

If you want the absolute best price on Opterons, and just want to try luck-o-the-draw, go here for Monarch Computer's coupons: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1020827

Good Luck!

By CPlusPlusGeek -- GameSpot

Posted May 5, 2006 3:50 pm GMT