More info needed before buying an AMD 2500+ withe AQXEA stepping

Hi guys, I have read a lot about the great overclocking abilty of the AMD 2500+ chip with AQXEA stepping, but I don't know what exactly that means and how will I come to know what is the stepping of the chip when I am buying?

the stepping of your chip is written on a little black strip on your cpu
it should be something like axda2500 dkv4d aqxea 0334 mpmw
the important bit of the code is the 4 numbers after the aqxea as this lets you know
when your cpu was made any 2500xps with a code of 0340 and after is supposed to be locked but i think yours is a pre-week 39 unlocked one m8
hope this helps

Thanks Crapshot but I will only be able to view the number on the cpu after I have bought the chip. Is there any way that I can make sure that I am purchasing the right chip before removing the packaging?

Also, is there a safe way of unlocking the chip if it is locked?

sorry m8 you would have to be able to look at the front of the cpu to check the codes
i have a 2500xp and its a AQXDA 0323 yours is a AQXEA so i would have thought it was pre-week 39 im sure the AQXEDA s were the good clockers

Some resellers will tell you the codes before you buy - e.g. in the UK CPU City.

Thanks again but I havent yet bought the chip. In fact I want to upgrage my old pc and so I was surfing the net for some info on a good chip which I can overclock, although I have never done so in the past. I just want to be sure that the chip( AMD 2500+ with AQXEA stepping) I am going to buy will overclock nearly as good as the chip which was shown in the review on this site.

Thanks buff, but I live in Mumbai, India. Any idea of a great shop over here which can help me?

I would also like to know which motherboard would be ideal for this overclocking?

Hello Nichomach, any sugesstions regarding my problem?

Your best bet is to get a Abit Nf7-S rev.2 and pick up a mobile 2500+. They will overclock very well (from all reports), are unlocked and generally are only slightly more than there desktop counterparts. Thats just my 2cents.

I'd also say get a Mobile too :D

I knew the mobile bandwagon would pull up soon :P

I too have been reading a lot about the mobile 2500+ processor. Although is there any specific stepping in these processors that I should look out for?

Also regarding the Abit Abit Nf7-S rev.2 motherboard, Do you need an extra graphics card to connect the monitor or can you connect it directly to the motherboard?

Apparently the best clockers are the week 43 ones, but they all seem to be clocking rather well. The average overclock is between 2.5-2.7 And yes you need to get graphics with the NF7-S as it doesn't come with onboard video (becuase on board sucks)