Thank you all for reporting the codes printed on your TBirds.
I think we can draw some general conclusions from the data:
1. Codes matter.
2. For the most part, different rated processors are getting different codes.
3. For the most part, different codes mean different maximum speeds.
Right now:
1Ghz chips seems to getting to 1200 or a little beyond, a few lucky ones seem to be getting to about 1330Mhz.
1.1Ghz chips seem to be getting high 1200s/low 1300s, the lucky few approaching 1400Mhz.
1.2Ghz chips seem to be doing high 1300s/low 1400s, the lucky few hitting up to about 1500Mhz.
Of the codes, AXIAs (the codes I’m talking about are printed at the beginning of the second line of the processor) seem to be doing the best. Every 1300/1333 chip we’ve seen a picture of so far has been an AXIA. Coming in second are the AXHAs and the BXHAs.
There does not seem to be different coding on that second line for the 133/266Mhz chips as opposed to the 100/200Mhz chips (the indicator as to whether it’s a 100/200 or 133/266 is found at the end of the first line of code on the processor).
With one exception, AXIAs seem to be restricted to 1200s. That one exception was a 1Ghz processor, and it got close to 1500Mhz.
The second and third letters of that four letter code seem to be the distinguishing marks. The higher up in the alphabet it is, the higher it is rated officially (i.e, AQFA is often associated with 1000Mhz; AVHA with 1100s, and AXHA, BXHA or AXIA with 1200s, and faster it goes unofficially.
While it could be argued that these different codes are just AMD’s way of distinguishing different kinds of processors (which may well be the case), these different codes also seem to perform differently, which makes me believe that this is not just a matter of classification.
What Does This Mean?
It means you should be looking for an AXIA. 🙂
For those more systematically-minded, it either means AMD is using a number of different processes to make the CPU, or (what I find just as likely), these codes represent some sort of grading after testing by AMD.
For your purposes, it really doesn’t matter which it is. What this tells us is that a pretty good way to get the fastest chip available at a certain speed is to get one with the second and third letters of the alphabet as high up as possible.
So if you have to choose between a 1Ghz AQFA or AVHA, go for the latter, because V and H come after Q and F in the alphabet. If it’s between an AXHA and AXIA, pick the AXIA because I comes after H in the alphabet.
I haven’t seen a case yet where one letter was ahead and one behind in the alphabet yet. If they exist, somehow I think I’m going to find out about it real soon.:)
If you have question, here’s the FAQ for looking for chips this way: 🙂
Yes, you’re going to have to look at these things to determine what codes they are.
No, don’t expect the sales person on the telephone to know, odds are the chip is in a warehouse miles away.
Yes, there’s a reasonable chance that the salesperson will tell you whatever you want to hear, and you’ll get whatever they happen to have.
No, you won’t have any recourse if you’ve been lied to unless you get any promise that a chip is whatever code in writing before you agree, and good luck even then.
Yes, I know that’s unfair and unjust.
No, there’s nothing I can effectively do about it.
Yes, I recommend that you go to a computer fair and look at what the various vendors have.
No, you won’t save money by doing this.
Yes, I know this means extra work for you.
No, there is no easier sure way to do the same thing, if there were; I’d tell you.
Yes, I know you don’t want to do it.
No, I don’t have a secret way to do this that I’ll tell you if you write me.
Yes, I would like to know if you find an easier way, and I’ll mention it if reasonably possible.
No, I’m not going to guarantee you’ll have the fastest chip on the block even if you do all of this; go buy a pretested chip if you want that.
Yes, I’m just trying to shift the odds in your favor a little.
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