how do i read the stepping on a p4

[ib69nu]

i have read the stepping on how to read the production date and the plant, but it doesnt tell me how to read the stepping (b0, b0 shrink, c1). I am going to go to the local shop today, and i want to get a good processor. i know that the c1 is the best stepping intel offers, but what else should i look for. i know that a recent pack date is best.
thanks for helping an amd guy out

 

[looktall]

i don't think you can read the actual stepping from the box.
AFAIK the only way to do it is to research which s-specs use which steppings.
so go here
http://processorfinder.intel.com/scripts/list.asp?ProcFam=483&CorSpd=ALL&SysBusSpd=ALL&PkgType=ALL
and look at which cpu's use the C1 stepping. write down their s-spec and see if your local shop has one.

 

[ib69nu]

now i know which ones i am looking for, how do i find this on the box, or is it only on the processor?
thanks

how good is the retail heatsink on p4's? I know the ones that come with xp's really suck.

 

[looktall]

the intel hsf is excellent.
even when overclocking it will serve you well. (the black pad on the base works ok too).

so, you have a list of s-specs, right?
on the box you'll find the s-spec is the last 5 characters of the prod code.

 

[ib69nu]

much thanks man. i am gonna go get me a guud processer thingy

 

[batboy]

The easiest way to tell a C1 stepping is to look at the default voltage. C1 is 1.525v compared to 1.5v of the B0 stepping.

Although I agree the Intel retail heatsink is a fairly good design, the fan that comes with it is quite wimpy and should not be used for anything more than a mild overclock. I strongly disagree with the opinion that the black heat pad that comes with retail heatsink is good. On the contrary, it's pretty crappy.

 

[looktall]

the TIM (and the fan for that matter) worked fine on my celeron.
it kept my [email protected]@1.70v below 40C. the avg was about 35C.

i've heard of many people using the intel heatsink for quite large overclocks.

EDIT: mind you, the fan on the celeron cooler is slightly larger than on the P4.