The best way to determine the stepping of a chip is to look at the Intel 
website and
find the sSpec# for the processor you have. Compare the numbers on the chip
to the numbers on the web site.
    http://processorfinder.intel.com
[ READ the "Glossary of terms" link on the web site.]

If you have 2 processors where the sSpec# is the same the stepping should be
correct. In fact you will find the sSpec# on the chip not the "Core 
Stepping".
The sSpec# has been called the "stepping" number incorrectly.

I'm unaware of a way to get the stepping of a processor without looking 
at it.

If you contact a vendor you need to be sure they know what you are asking.
If they don't you may have an issue, tell them you need to talk to 
someone who
knows multi processor systems.
Another way to do it is to order an HP/Compaq CPU kit with 2 processors.
You can do this as long as the mother board has the VRM's on the board.
    (Voltage Regulating Modules)
If you don't know contact the vendor of your motherboard.
You will pay extra for a kit but you will be sure to get processors that 
will work.

The Xeon MP is for multi processor systems, you may want to look at that 
processor
for any future systems.
Another concern is the number of pins the processor has, again use the 
sSpec#.

Unless you have software that can take advantage of dual processors it 
may not improve
performance. In a few cases the performance of the software could be 
less on a dual processor
system.

Remember licensing, if you are running (god forbid) MS SQL and have more 
then 1 processor,
you must have a license for each processor in the machine. This is true 
with many software
manufacturers.

Sam.


Mike Miller wrote:

> On Tue, 31 May 2005, Sam MacDonald wrote:
>
>> While the "batch code" (stepping) is very important, the serial 
>> number is not as important.
>>
>> The stepping tells you the microcode version burnt on to the chip. If 
>> you get a mismatched set of processors they may work but I wouldn't 
>> bet the bank on how reliable they would be.
>>
>> The serial number is a tracking number and may tell you where and 
>> when the chip was made.
>>
>> Just because the serial number is within a few digits it doesn't mean 
>> the stepping is the same.
>>
>> Use the stepping to measure the compatibility.
>
>
>
> Is it possible to specify stepping codes when placing an order?
>
> Is it possible to get the stepping code from a chip without opening 
> the case and looking at the chip?
>
> If I do have to look at the CPU chip, how do I know which number is 
> the stepping code?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Mike
>