Buying New Intel Processor, G0 stepping?

[Bamer]

I am looking to upgrade to the Q6600 now that the latest Intel Price drops have occurred. However, when shopping at Newegg, ZipZoomFly, ProVantage, etc. – How can you tell if you are getting the G0 Stepping? Seems that you have no way of knowing for sure until you physically get the chip in hand and read the label. That’s kind of a crap-shoot to me as most vendors will want to deplete existing stocks. Since you can’t specify such details when ordering, I suppose you can place an order, hope for the best, and then return it if not’s the right build? ? ? If that’s the case, then I would say watch out for those re-stocking fees and DON’T BREAK THE SEAL ON THE BOX or you just bought it!


Thanks

·Antec P190 (The 51 lb. Beast!)
·Gigabyte 965-P DQ6
·Intel E6700 (looking to upgrade soon)
·2-GB Crucial Ballistic DDR-800 (4-4-4-12)
·Sapphire HD 2900XT 512MB
·Two WD-Raptors 150 GB X 2, RAID 0
·Four (4) 500-GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 3.0-Gb/s, RAID 0

[gvblake22]

I moved your post into its own thread so it would actually get noticed. You usually can't guarantee a particular stepping when you buy it. The only place I've seen to let you pick the stepping on some of the processors is TankGuys. If they don't list the stepping on the product page of their website, you can probably e-mail them and ask or post in their forums.

EDIT:
Just noticed they do have a pre-order "spot in line" for the G0 stepping Q6600...

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by Bamer

I am looking to upgrade to the Q6600 now that the latest Intel Price drops have occurred. However, when shopping at Newegg, ZipZoomFly, ProVantage, etc. – How can you tell if you are getting the G0 Stepping? Seems that you have no way of knowing for sure until you physically get the chip in hand and read the label. That’s kind of a crap-shoot to me as most vendors will want to deplete existing stocks. Since you can’t specify such details when ordering, I suppose you can place an order, hope for the best, and then return it if not’s the right build? ? ? If that’s the case, then I would say watch out for those re-stocking fees and DON’T BREAK THE SEAL ON THE BOX or you just bought it!


Thanks

The stepping version can be located by looking at the product spec's. For example, at Newegg, scroll down beneath the picture and click on the "Manufacturer Info" tab, then click on the "Manufacturer Product Page" link. This will then take you to THIS page (Intel's website) which tells you that the Q6600 processor that Newegg is selling (and is now out of stock) is the B3 stepping.

[fps justin]

The G0 Q6600 is a very very nice cpu.

105W for the B3 down to 95W for the G0. They run cooler and overclock higher. HOWEVER, there is one issue that needs to be dealt with.

IF YOUR MOBO DOES NOT SUPPORT G0 STEPPING, IT WILL NOT POST.

Wierd that you may need a bios update for a revision on a cpu, but it is true. Please find a mobo that supports G0. You don't wanna buy a cpu just so you can bios update to use your G0 Q6600. LOL

[Bamer]

Thanks Evblake22, Garetjax, and fps_justin for the info! I especially appreciate the info on what to look for at NewEgg in finding those particular stepping specs BEFORE buying. I've got my order in today. Can you believe these prices drops! ! ! WOW. A Quad-Core for $250! ! ! That's incredible.

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by Bamer

Thanks Evblake22, Garetjax, and fps_justin for the info! I especially appreciate the info on what to look for at NewEgg in finding those particular stepping specs BEFORE buying. I've got my order in today. Can you believe these prices drops! ! ! WOW. A Quad-Core for $250! ! ! That's incredible.

Glad that we were able to help you. Where did you find a Q6600 for $250 at?

[sean126]

Yeah....wheres it at for $250? Do tell.

[garetjax]

Still waiting, Bamer. =P

[Bamer]

I bid on Ebay and got one for $249.99. However, I had to pay $30 shipping -- so I guess I should have factored that it in on the final cost. Its on its way, so I have no idea if its got a G0 stepping build. I doubt that it does -- but I'm still happy with the price anyway.

Lots more there at:

eBay - Q6600, Desktop Laptop Components, Desktop PCs items on eBay.com

Some are still in the $230 - $270 range for now. Otherwise, you can get the full retail Q6600 chip for $279 to $289 at most of the major on-line VAR's. I'm always out to save a buck, however. . .

See ya!

[halutzparilla]

NCIXUS.com - Buy Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 8MB Retail Box - BX80562Q6600.

vs.

NCIXUS.com - Buy Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 3.0GHZ 1333FSB 4MB Retail - BX80557E6850.

which is better for now a days... i know q600 is good but when will the fluctuation will stop... but i wonder the extra cpu what program will utilize such....???