Your collection chips priority

[chrissie]

1. Nice, clear print
2. Not cracked, chiped
3. No missing pins
4. Working

[CHips]

1. No missing (or too bent) pins (there should at least be a way to restore them easily without risk of breaking them). No missing/broken caps
2. Not cracked, chipped
3. Nice, clear print (and centering) + Not too much usage marks (traces of thermal paste cleaning/heatsink scratches,...)
4. Working

Except of course when I search for a working one. Then working is 1 and rest follows (though 99% of the times if pins are fine the CPU will work). Also working condition is almost never precised anyway...

[frag_]

1. Working
2. No missing pins
3. Not cracked, chiped
4. Nice, clear print

[xsecret]

1. Working
2. No missing pins
3. Nice, clear print
4. Not cracked, chiped

[yy2013]

1. Working
2. No missing pins
3. Not cracked, chipped
4. Nice, clear print

My ultimate goal is to operate the chip, so the working condition is the most important. A missing pin is acceptable if the contact remains or the function of the pin is unimportant (like the SOD pin of i8085).

[debs3759]

1. Working
2. No missing pins
3. Nice, clear print
4. Not cracked, chipped

[cooperalp]

1.Not cracked, chipped
2.No missing pins
3.Nice, clear print
4.Working (don't care at all)

[Foxtail]

1.Nice, clear print
2.Not cracked, chipped
3.No missing pins

i don't care if they work.

[ph4nt0m]

So, there are two kinds of CPU collectors. Those who give the functional state either the highest or lowest priority.

[Vegeta]

1.Not cracked, chiped
2.No missing pins
3.Nice, clear print
4.Working

[johnorun]

1 Price
2.Not cracked, chipped
3.No missing pins
4.Nice, clear print
5.Working (not vital)

[gekaufman]

"So, there are two kinds of CPU collectors. Those who give the functional state either the highest or lowest priority.

Well put.

I look for functional parts to restore or build with. A nice appearance is also appreciated - but clearly a secondary goal.

I avoid desoldered parts where possible.

I don't care much about date codes, ES status, or S-#'s except when it would have been the correct part for restoring an older system.

[CPUShack]

I suppose if I am honest my main criteria is:

Do I have it?
No?
Then I want it LOL

[ph4nt0m]

Display pieces ain't much fun. Sure it's better to have something rather than nothing, but I would always prefer a working CPU to a non-working one.

[edwardauskis]