i5 vs i7 6 core

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would probably avoid an ES processor unless it was brand new TBH. The ES processors are for testing purposes and sometimes are not even fully representative of the retail version. If the testing has been particularly hard the processor may even have damage.

[howareu]

my only question is where are you getting your ram from at those prices ???

a pc shop in my city

5944 OCZ GOLD TRI CHANNEL KIT PC3-12800 3X1GB KIT 1333 - £56

http://www.pless.co.uk/skin1/images/_pdfs/instore.pdf

and the 4gb kit can be easily found on ebay for £68 "buy it now" + free delivery

I would probably avoid an ES processor unless it was brand new TBH. The ES processors are for testing purposes and sometimes are not even fully representative of the retail version. If the testing has been particularly hard the processor may even have damage.

i was thinking that aswell although the guy whos selling it to me says his mobo doesnt support this cpu

but maybe i might even be able to get it for £200

[Skulltrail]

Give the ES a try - an unlocked six core is such a juicy prize if it does work - and if it doesn't you can always sell it on; I was looking at QX9650s a while back on eBay and dubious looking ES ones of those went like hot cakes.

[howareu]

Give the ES a try - an unlocked six core is such a juicy prize if it does work - and if it doesn't you can always sell it on; I was looking at QX9650s a while back on eBay and dubious looking ES ones of those went like hot cakes.

i guess ill do that then if i wont like it

how does ebay respond to selling ES? does it take down the listing, or does it not bother

[Skulltrail]

When I was observing the QX9650s there were more of those than non-ES ones, so presumably they don't mind. Some would be declared as ES but a lot of them shipping out of China for £150 or so must have been ESs. Having said that these were being listed as new, so I'm not sure how people would react to a used one. If eBay are letting them through I wouldn't have thought they cared if new or used.

I think the trick is to label it as an ES rather than "Engineering Sample", and then the less well informed will merely see the specs and price and go for it. Googling for ES doesn't through up much, and I must admit when I first saw it I thought it merely signified that it was intended for the Spanish market (!)

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Considering that engineering samples are used for testing means they could be damaged. If the CPU is new it maybe worth keeping otherwise the only reason I would get one is to sell it on for a profit. Like I said before such CPUs may not be the final silicon either so things such as power saving modes in the retail CPUs may not be fully implemented and it is hard to say whether the CPU will be entirely bug free.