Posted on Monday, February 02 2009 @ 22:19 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Intel announced the Core i7 920 processor will
be upgraded from the current C-0 to D-0 stepping. These new processors will require a BIOS update but it's unknown if the D-0 chips will have any advantages over the current C-0 processors.
The main reason for the change is not revealed but one of the cosmetic change stated is the ink swatch where the IHS covered the marked serial number partially. Intel states that the electrical, mechanical and thermal specifications remain within the current specifications. Enthusiasts will definitely be eager to see if the new stepping improves overclockability.
Core i7 920 D-0 stepping:
New S-spec (from SLBCH to SLBEJ) and Material Master numbers for the converting products.
CPUID will change from 0x000106A4 to 0x000106A5.
The electrical, mechanical and thermal specifications remain within the current specifications. Intel anticipates no changes to customer platforms designed to previous Intel guidelines.
Readable serial number will be removed from the package ink swatch to fully mitigate the potential risk of the IHS cosmetically overlapping a marked serial number. There is no change to the ULT matrix content which continues to contain the serial number.
