How do you collect?

[Thandor]

Hi!

I was wondering in what way other collectors collect their chips . I.e. collecting every sSpec, collecting only speedgrades, only one brand? And what do you do with it? Store in boxes or display them? Or get them online in a database? And at last but not least, why this way?

Thandor

[Thandor]

To start the thread:
I collect every brand and try to get every model in speed-grade (MHz, cache, all of it). I'm not searching for all sSpec number because it would just be too much.

I prefer to have working CPU's (and graphic cards as well) and get them in a database with some information and photo's. A great deal of time I spend on benchmarking to get a database with performance. Each model has to be benchmarked to see if there are performance differences.

All the chips and graphic card eventually end up in boxes because it takes too much space to get them displayed.

[gshv]

My goal for many years was to get every single part number, package, speed grade, production/ES, sometimes even getting markings variations. This year I decided to limit all additions to a few common parts for each family, and rather look for less common parts. I try to get working processors whenever possible. Many of my chips are online. I think I still have more than 1000 chips that are not on the website yet.

Gennadiy

[Chook]

For the main focus of my collection (Intel Overdrive, 486, 386 and Pentium, I try to collect one of each speed grade and marking variation. That means each of the version numbers and the ODP and ODPR for Overdrives, dash or no dash for Intel chips, different package markings for Pentium (A, BP, FV etc). For Pentium Pro, II and III, one of each speed and partnumber. For Xeon, one of each speed and cache amount. For most AMD and Cyrix chips, one of each speed and package type.
I generally don't collect sspecs and too many of them are unobtainium.

[CPUShack]

I collect all CPU, MCU, ALU, FPU and EPROMs

On CPUs speed/part is usually enough, I avoid collecting all sspecs except for certain families (FDIVs, Xeons, a few others) unless I happen on them.

These days its really best to have some focus (or you end up like me lol) and then fill in other interesting things as you find them

[smithy]

I collect Intel CPUs/FPUs - all sspecs...at last count approx 2350 I have - probably 5000 to go and forever increasing.
You've got to give yourself a challenge in life

[Chook]

I'll add that I only collect x86 cpus. I'll generally only go for other chips if they are made by Intel, look cool or have particular interest for me.
Edit: I don't care about working condition. As long as chips are in good cosmetic collection, that is enough.

[frag_]

Almost all CPUs, FPUs, ALUs.
Intel - each sspec,
AMD and others - each speed variation and stepping and marking if not too expensive.
All tested and working except those i can't check yet.
I have a dream to build test setups for every interesting architecture,
4004, 8008, 6800, 2901+, 3002, pdp derivatives, mc14500, 32016,
2650, 8x300, NEC v30+, 1802, USSR microprocessor sets like 588 series,
Panafacom 161x, 9511 fpu, etc...

No MCUs, SoCs (too many to collect), no EPROMs, no Zilog

[Silent Breeze]

Hi!

I collect processors, co-processors, microcomputers, microcontrollers. Collect the labeling, Sspec, and recently began to pay attention to even the country of origin.
Collect chip's from any manufacturer, but I try to pay more attention to ancient chip's.
Keep a portion of chips in plastic trays in which they are delivered, and some stacked in boxes.

[whelenfan]

I like to collect anything that I come upon as I am learning as I go and am quite a late arrival to the hobby. I don't care about working condition but I do like them to clean up and look nice. I seem to be gravitating towards items that look "interesting". Whatever that means?!

[monoxrom]

Collect only CPUs
But no collect by sspec + PII and later not collect for speedgrades, only some nice chips)

Then i have 390 chips total.
Where here all members show their collections?

[pcpubay]

I only collect Pentium Pros. I wish I had started a long time ago...

[cedrik]

I collect every cpu i can get .. intel every Sspec, AMD only one stepping from each speed...
And lately i started to collect Eproms..

I have about 700 cpus and 400 Eproms in collection

[Chiefish]

I collect mostly Intel chips up to 286, altho I have a few others that dont fit that description. I also like a few other AMDs and TRW chips that I have a very good selection of. I really look for and hunt down the early intel stuff like memory, cpu and pereiferal chips. I have a real nice oak chest of drawers I just got to store them all in recently from an Amish fellow I know who built it for me. Ill post a pic or two later when i get home. I also love old Eproms and have a good selection of those in my collection.
But i do appreciate alot of other makes and styles of cpus , I just dont have enough time and money to collect everything I see that I like.

[kosmokrator]

Im recently Quit Collecting ....An sold many Of them
im Collected Allmost Anything run and execute Progrm.
Cpu Alu FPU MCU ...And Many many Peripheras Eproms DSP's AD/DA..
Over 2000 cpu's And 1000 ceramic peripherals ect.

Now i have FOCUS Only on Vintage WHITE cpus...
So this white ceramic chips limited my Collection to About 50 rare chips u can see in my Signature..