Howdy freakishlynormal-ga,
The Intel website speaks to core stepping.
http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/cs-001665.htm
"The first version of a new microprocessor product is the A-0 core step.
Later, as improvements are made to the product for functional fixes or
manufacturing improvements, the core stepping number is incremented.
Generally speaking, minor changes result in an increased number (i.e.
A-3 to A-4), while more complex changes result in the letter being
changed (i.e. A-3 to B-0). Note that a B-0 core stepping is more recent
than an A-4 core stepping."
So, you can see that a D-0 core step would be a more complex change over
the prior generation of that chip's design.
A core step might mean an improvement for performance, as pointed out in
this Softpedia article.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Intel-to-update-Core-Duo-processor-line-this-month-21123.shtml
"According to company documentation seen by Reg Hardware, the move will
see Intel replace the three processors? C-0 core stepping with an updated
version, dubbed D-0. ... At this stage, it's unclear what the core update
involves beyond the broad 'speed enhancements' Intel mentions in its
documentation."
But, as this FiringSquad page points out, a core step might not be about
enhancing the end-user's experience.
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/sl3xu/default.asp
"The [B0] stepping replaces the older [A2] stepping. We asked Intel about
the purpose of the new core stepping, and here's the response we received:
'The change from [A2] to [B0] was basically a yield enhancement stepping.'
That's just what we wanted to hear. The new stepping was implemented to
improve processor yields."
Translated to non-technical jargon, the above means Intel made a core
step so they could make more chips with less defects than before.
If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.
Search strategy:
Google search on: "core stepping" defined OR "what is"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22core+stepping%22+defined+OR+%22what+is%22
Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher |
Clarification of Answer by
denco-ga
on
08 May 2006 22:49 PDT
For future reference freakishlynormal-ga, you can always ask the Google
Answers Researcher for a clarification, so you can be sure to get the
results you desire, hence my statement, "If you need any clarification,
please feel free to ask," which was part of my answer.
As I pretty much stated in my answer, a core step of "D0" might or might
not result in an improvement in performance. All a core step of "D0"
means is there has been comparatively significant changes in the core
from the prior version, and that change can be in several forms.
Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher
|
