CPU-ES version

The so-called ES version is the Engineering Sample (this is the definition of Intel's official website, not the misrepresented Engineer Sample-engineering sample), which is a non-marketed product, originally provided by the processor manufacturer to the OEM manufacturer to cooperate with the pre-development supporting platform. Special version processors. The reason why it is called the ES version is because the product is only provided to those users who have a cooperative relationship with the processor manufacturer, and the purpose is only for testing, evaluation and assisting in engineering development, such as to know whether the official version of the CPU can pass the test. , Whether it is compatible with the motherboard products of the motherboard manufacturer.

1 Meaning
: The CPU-ES version is what we call the engineering version of the CPU. Before a CPU is officially released, Intel and AMD will give new CPU samples to OEM manufacturers, media and cooperative manufacturers. Let everyone know that the new CPU has Compared with the same CPU products officially released, some ES version CPUs have a price advantage. And overclockers love them very much. But the shortcoming of engineering samples is that there will be some bugs. These bugs can be very good Small. It can only be found under specific circumstances! The
ES version processor is tested by overclocking and not locking the frequency for a long time to overheat. This series of cruel tests greatly reduces the life of the CPU. If you carry ES on notebooks sold on taobao The processor is a defective product. It takes luck to buy a good one. If it is a brand new ES version of the CPU, the performance is more powerful and the lifespan will not be much worse than the normal CPU. What
is the ES version of the processor?
These processors often have features such as frequency multiplier not locked, voltage not locked, etc., to facilitate partners to fully test products. According to past practice, processor manufacturers often allocate a certain number of engineering version processors according to the manufacturer's order volume. For example, according to information disclosed on the Internet, large manufacturers such as MSI will allocate 1-3 processors per 1,000 processors. The ES engineering sample is a little different from the whiteboard processor, and the engineering version of the processor is actually a product that has been tested.
Because the ES version of the processor has the advantages of unlocking the frequency multiplier and other advantages, it is often the object of DIY players who like to overclock. At the same time, because the ES version processor is only supplied to partner manufacturers and some large evaluation media, the number is rare, and there are very few batches. Possibility of sale. And because the quantity is scarce, the value of the product is often doubled, and the price is usually higher than the price of the official retail product.

2 Advantages
Why choose the ES version of the CPU?
Compared with the official version of the CPU, the ES version is much cheaper (30% to 50% cheaper), otherwise the upgrade cost is easily 1500 yuan or more than 2000 yuan, and not everyone can afford it. In addition, as long as the choice is right, the ES version of the CPU will not be any different from the official version (note that this means that there is no difference in the strict sense, it is exactly the same, it does not mean that it is similar in use, but in terms of microstructure or stability or performance. have difference).
The ES version of the CPU is marked with the letter "ES", and the CPU model is not written. The model of the ES version of the CPU is determined by the sSpec code. The sSpec code is the only sign that determines the CPU model and version. For example, the CPU sSpec code on the left side of the above picture is QDXD, indicating that this CPU is a P9500 with C0 stepping. The one on the right is the official P9500 with the sSpec code SLB4E. Therefore, the sSpec code of the ES version of the CPU is 4 bits, while the official version is 5 bits.
In the CPU-Z, the ES version of the CPU will have the word ES at the end of the specs column.
How much difference is there between the ES version of the CPU and the official version?
This problem is very simple. There are huge differences between some ES version CPUs and the official version, such as lack of some functions, excessive heat generation, frequent blue screen of death and so on. The other part of the ES version of the CPU is no different from the official version, just changed the ES label. Just like the relationship between parallel imports and licensed products, this part of the ES version accounts for the majority.

3
How to choose the ES version of the CPU?
In order to avoid buying ES version CPUs that are different from the official version, please follow the following principles:
1. Don't buy an excessively cheap CPU, it may be a blue screen problem that is dealt with at a low price by JS;
2. Don't buy an ES version CPU that does not display, which means that the CPU cannot be detected by software such as CPU-Z The model, the judgment is only based on information such as the frequency of the CPU and the L2 cache. The non-display ES version CPU is generally an engineering test version in the strict sense. It is used for experiments in the factory. Its internal structure is obviously different from the official version. No matter its performance, heat generation or stability, it is not good. In short, it can be directly used. Such CPUs are classified as defective and should never be purchased.
3. Zhengxian ES version CPU (also known as QS version) can correctly detect all CPU information with software. As shown in the above picture, only the ES mark is added. Such ES version is worth buying, but you must pay attention to its steps. Advance (revised). The CPU stepping is equivalent to the version number of the software. The higher the stepping, the less bugs the CPU has, which also means that the CPU was produced recently. So we want to avoid buying ES version CPUs with too low stepping. If the stepping is too low, it means that a certain ES version CPU was produced very early, and there is a high possibility that it contains some bugs. The CPU is also very likely to be used for trial production experiments to verify the stability of the design and provide reference for subsequent versions. All in all, the positive ES version of the CPU with too low stepping has the same high risk as the non-display ES version mentioned before, and it is prone to problems when purchased. It is not recommended to buy it under any circumstances.
According to experience, there is absolutely no difference between the ES version of the CPU and the official version with steps above E0 or E0. The E0 stepping is very high and it is very mature. It is provided by Intel to various notebook manufacturers for product testing (not to test the CPU, but to test the notebook), so this version will naturally not have any problems, otherwise it will not be used at all. Evaluate the stability of the notebook. The ES label is only to prevent its circulation from disrupting the market. ES version CPUs below C0 stepping are not worth buying (even the official version is not worth buying). The C0 version can also be considered for purchase, it generally will not have any problems, unless you are very unlucky, but as long as you can find the E0 version or above, never buy the C0 version.

4 Development
Intel CPU's step-by-step ordering (left old and right new): B2<C0<E0<G0<L2<M0<R0

5 Related
In addition to the ES version, what CPU is cheaper?
1. BGA version with feet: The BGA version is the CPU (such as SP9600) that is directly welded to the motherboard with ball feet. This CPU is not plugged into the motherboard and cannot be removed without electrician tools (hot air welder). The origin of the BGA version of the CPU is generally the scrapped motherboard. After the motherboard is broken, the JS will recycle the components on it. Therefore, the BGA version of the CPU is all scrapped motherboard recycling parts, which is naturally very cheap, even cheaper than the ES version. To insert this kind of CPU into the CPU socket, additional pins must be added. The work of adding feet is usually done in cottage workshops, and the quality cannot be guaranteed, so under any circumstances, do not buy a BGA CPU with feet.
2. Apple CPU: The Apple CPU is a specially customized version of Intel for Apple All-in-One, the size is the same as the notebook CPU, and can be used on notebooks. But this kind of CPU is still a desktop CPU after all, which generates a lot of heat and tests the cooling system of your notebook at all times. Of course, it also consumes a lot of power. So, under any circumstances, do not buy Apple CPU (E starting with, such as E8135).
ES QS version: ES is the abbreviation of English Engineering Sample, that is, engineering sample. ES is divided into two types: no display and with display. The so-called "display" refers to the correct display of the model of the CPU. This is the most reliable way to view it with cpu-z. Note that you should look at the specification line instead of the name line. ES that is not displayed is generally an engineering sample in the early stage of development. The biggest feature of not displaying ES is that there is only frequency information in the specification of cpu-z, and the model cannot be identified. In "My Computer->Right Click->Properties", the model number cannot be displayed correctly either.