PowerPC 603 with double label?

[anheier]

I just acquired this IBM PowerPC 603 processor that has a double identification label. See:

http://gallery.owt.com/users/a/anheier/174.jpg

The stock processor speed is labeled at 120 MHz. Above this is a 100MHz id that appears to be a self adhesive sticker. Any clues to what is going on here?

Thanks Norm

[CPUShack]

looks to me like it was uprated to a 120.

seen it on Intel chips
and IBM 486 chips

[gshv]

I'd say it was downrated from 120 Mhz to 100 Mhz. There are multiple reasons for this:
- Processor failed quality control at rated speed, so they re-tested it at lower speed and remarked it when it passed the test.
- Processors may be remarked to lower speed to fulfill big customer orders. Say, if there was a shortage of 100 MHz processors, and nobody wanted to buy 120 MHz chips then IBM could remark 120 MHz chip to 100 MHz, and sell them.

If somebody know any other reason please post.

Genna

[CPUShack]

could go either way.
May not have been able to sell 100s but could 120s.

[anheier]

I believe it was downrated from the factory 120 Mhz marking with the add on sticker that indicates 100 Mhz. Unfortunately I didn't think to check the actual reported speed before removing the chip from the processor card. I have seen Macintosh processor slot cards labeled 120 Mhz, but the actual processor was labeled 150 Mhz. Today I will be booting a Macintosh 120 Mhz machine that has a factory installed 100 Mhz IBM processor. It will be interesting to see what the OS reports as the machine speed. I believe there is a lot of chip mixing on the factory production line to meet the fluctuations in customer demand.

Ok for the more important part, it seems to me that these are more collectable as remarked processors. The collection want list just exploded......

Thanks for your input. Norm

[gshv]

[CPUShack]

Look at mine "Anything I dont alrwady have" seems to get the idea across.