I need some clarification on Intel FPO/batch codes

[dbrew]

Below is some information on reading batch codes. Most of it appears to be correct, but I've read numerous reports of the 5th digit on the FPO line being an actual core stepping code. I currently have a Xeon x5470 processor which reads " 3834A893" on the FPO line. My question is what does the "A" represent as I have seen other Intel processors with A,B,C embedded on the heat spreader just before the lot number which would be "893" ? I read several reports claiming this a core stepping code as well as this possibly being part of the lot number itself. Some also claim that "E0" to be the core stepping but this is in fact the stepping revision. Can someone please clarify this with some sort of official documentaion so that I may lay alot of rumors and speculation to rest. Thanks in advance

Example: L149A463-0726

1st letter or digit = plant code (Malay)

0 = San Jose, Costa Rica

1 = Cavite, Philippines

3 = .............., Costa Rica

6 = Chandler, Arizona

7 = .........., Philippines

8 = Leixlip, Ireland

9 = Penang, Malaysia

L = ............, Malaysia

Q = ..........., Malaysia

R = Manila, Philippines

Y = Leixlip, Ireland

2nd digit = Year of production (2001)

3rd & 4th digits = week (49th week )

5th - 8th digits= lot number

10th - 13th digits = serialization code

[Silvia_L_Intel1]

Thanks for the questions.

First, a little clarification. The FPO (a.k.a. batch) number is printed on the metal heat spreader on our desktop processors (it may be in a different place on mobile processors). It is only 8 characters and does not include any 'serialization code'.

We do sometimes print a serial number on our CPU's (usually on a black strip, next to a '2D matrix' barcode, but it is not present on all processor models. You can't count on it being there.

Now to your question. The 5th digit of the FPO number is unrelated to the core stepping of the CPU. It is simply part of the 4 digit batch numbers for that work week.

[idata]

Silvia,

I need some clarification on what you mean by the 5th digit of the FPO is unrelated to the Stepping core, but that it is part of the 4 digit batch number of that work week. If that is so then the following FPO on I/O Controller Hub 5 (L3110081) reads like the following.

1st letter or digit = plant code (Malay)

0 = San Jose, Costa Rica

1 = Cavite, Philippines

3 = .............., Costa Rica

6 = Chandler, Arizona

7 = .........., Philippines

8 = Leixlip, Ireland

9 = Penang, Malaysia

L = ............, Malaysia

Q = ..........., Malaysia

R = Manila, Philippines

Y = Leixlip, Ireland

2nd digit = Year of production (2003)

3rd -5th the work week. Week 110.

6th - 8th serial code.

I ask since we do not have 110 weeks in a year.

Please let me know if that is how to interpret the 5th digit?

[IUman]

The first character (number or letter) belongs to the manufacturing country.

The second number is the manufacturing year.

The third and fourth numbers are the work week.

The rest of the characters are for internal use

Regards,

Ivan

[LuisMorales]

I have other two reference that are not in the list.

X Vietnam and V for china.

I don't find the reference to confirm?

[Davu]

Look, if you're looking for good bins… this time it really seems like the ones coming from Malaysia/Vietnam in the second half of 2024 are exceptional (starting from the 14600K and up). I’m telling you, I recently saw two 14900K bins also from the second half of 2024, and they were outstanding. Right now, if you buy a Raptor Lake Refresh and don’t get one from the early batches, there are some bins circulating that are insane. For example, I have a 14600K from Malaysia that runs daily at 5.8 GHz on the P-cores and 4.4 GHz on the E-cores. For scoring, I can even push it to 5.9 GHz on the P-cores (with 2 P-cores at 6.0 GHz) and 4.9 GHz on the E-cores. I’m telling you, at least for Raptor Lake+, focus on getting CPUs produced in the second half of 2024...