How to determine what processor I have?

[whoisme555]

I was at a garage sale yesterday and saw a box for a processor. Upon closer look the box was for an I7-920. The chip inside was basically unlabeled, and I have no idea of knowing if it's actually an I7-920 or just a random throwaway. I figured for $5 it was worth the unlikely gamble. Best case scenario, I upgrade from my I5-750, worst case, I throw it away.

Is there a way of finding out exactly what processor this is?

 

[LokalHero]

You can't upgrade an i5-750 to an i7-920 without upgrading your motherboard, they use different sockets.

 

[whoisme555]

You can't upgrade an i5-750 to an i7-920 without upgrading your motherboard, they use different sockets.

I know that already. I'd be changing out the motherboard as well.

I'm just wondering if theres any way of finding out what processor is in this box short of buying a motherboard and rebuilding my computer

 

[WR2]

You can try comparing the underside of that CPU with a picture of a i7-920
That's a good start.

You might find a computer repair shop that can test the CPU for you. An even smarter move, IMO.

 

[LokalHero]

If the printing on the CPU is worn off, unlikely if it's an i7-920 (they're not that old), then you'll have to throw it in a mobo and test it that way.

If the printing has indeed worn off, that could be down to overheating, so it may already be dead. Is it worth the risk in getting a board for it? I wouldn't have thought so, skt1366 boards are still pretty expensive.

 

[WR2]

If the CPU got 'lapped' - that might explain missing the usual markings.

 

[whoisme555]

You can try comparing the underside of that CPU with a picture of a i7-920
That's a good start.
http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/images/review/Intel_i7_920/intel_i7_920_02.jpg

You might find a computer repair shop that can test the CPU for you. An even smarter move, IMO.

It does look exactly like that, thanks for the response.

It is, however missing markings, so if what LokalHero says is correct, it may have overheated. Which would obviously explain why a $300 processor was $5 at a garage sale. I'm not too broken hearted over it, but I think I will see if there's a computer repair shop in town that I can bring this over to. Thanks!

 

[WR2]

Ideally, you'd want it to be a D0 stepping.

 

[whoisme555]

Best answer selected by whoisme555.

 

[whoisme555]

Ideally, you'd want it to be a D0 stepping.

http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2010/03/intel-core-i7-930-cpu-review/CPU.jpg

Took another close look at it, those 12 raised parts on the left side in your picture? Well 2 of them are missing, seemingly broken off. No doubt it was a failed part, oh well. Thanks!

 

[WR2]

Missing from the center section?
Ouch!

 

[whoisme555]

Missing from the center section?
Ouch!

Yep, oh well, you get what you pay for . Thanks for your help!

 

[WR2]

Sorry to hear that.

It's hard to imagine how that could have happened (except by pushing voltages too far maybe?).
The socket itself doesn't seem to have an angle where that could cause a problem.

 

[whoisme555]

Sorry to hear that.

It's hard to imagine how that could have happened (except by pushing voltages too far maybe?).
The socket itself doesn't seem to have an angle where that could cause a problem.

http://pixelsmashers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/socket-1366.jpg

How the heck... I just can't imagine how they pulled off breaking it in a socket like that... Haha wow

 

[WR2]

My guess is they got removed on purpose by something thinking about doing a shade-tree repair job after they blew.