AMD CPU Die

Dear THGC

I just purchased a an AMD 2500 barton cpu, but the little black id tag on the cpu says a date of 1999. Did i get sold a thoroughbred rather then a barton? Is there a way to tell by the stepping code or something?

Also, on the die, which is a dark black color, a rectangular shiny silver surface is on top. Is this a sticker to protect the die surface from being scratched, or does that stay there? Or do I remove it and apply my arctic silver?

Thanks

Rob

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umheinto do i remove that silver thing on the top of the die or leaVE it on and apply my thermal paste over it?


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1999 is refered as the Athlon start date. It's on every generation of Athlon dies, so no, you did not get screwed!
The Barton has a very long rectangular die.

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1999 is the copyright information. The "real" date of fabrication are 4 number like: 0302 (stands for second week of 2003) or 0245 (45th week of 2002)...
In the ID tag the Barton has 4C intead of 3C of T-Breds and Palominos.