What's the difference between these two processors.

[Polaris573]

I'm not up on the nuances of AMD64 processors so could someone please explain to me the difference between these two processors, if there is one. Why is one slightly more expensive than the other? Is it just a gimmick?

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80717-5
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80717-6

[gR3iF]

there is no one

[cjoyce1980]

the first one is stepping E3, the second one is stepping E6. whats stepping?

No processor design is perfect. The first version of a new microprocessor product is the A-0 step. Later, as improvements are made to the product for functional (bug) fixes or manufacturing improvements, the stepping number will increase.

Generally speaking, minor changes result in an increased number, (that is, A-1 to A-2) while more complex changes result in the letter being changed (that is, A-2 to B-0).

If new steppings come out with fewer bugs you are usually not eligible to RMA for a newer processor. Most of these bugs are supposed to be worked around in the motherboard design, BIOS (drivers), and applications.

Intel produces a detailed document called a "Specification Update" for each of their processor models that covers all of the various steppings, and lists exactly which bugs (they call them "errata") each one has and a description of the bug. For example you can download the Pentium IV specification Update from Intel at http://developer.intel.com/design/pentium4/specupdt/
A similar document is available for every processor they make.

AMD uses the term "revision numbers" to refer to steppings for its Athlon and other processors. To see the errata for a given AMD processor, look up its revision guide, which lists the processor revision numbers and the errata which apply to each revision. For example, the revision guide for the AMD Athlon XP model 8 processor is available from AMD at
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/25703.pdf

what does this all mean, well you are likely to have less compatablity problems with the newer version of the processor, but as most motherboard manufactures are good with bios updates, this should not be a problem.

[g12rxz]

Multimedia Instruction MMX(+), 3DNOW!+, SSE, SSE2, SSE3

the more expensive one supports 'that'

[trog100]

to all intents and purpose there isnt one.. it could be pricing mistake..

unless i have missed something.. he he

trog

[cjoyce1980]

Multimedia Instruction MMX(+), 3DNOW!+, SSE, SSE2, SSE3

the more expensive one supports 'that'

OMG!! how stupid are some! :banghead:

they both have the same instruction set, cos they are the same processor, but a different revision. the only different is the more expensive one is (meant to be) less buggy as its the newer version of that processor.

[trog100]

if its an overclockers type site.. greater demand for higher clockable revision could cause the price difference.. i never noticed the revision difference but that would be the answer..

trog