Thanks to one of our regular readers for providing some details about codings found on Intel processors.

Over the weekend, we pointed to a Japanese Pricewatch picture that seemed to show a Foster microprocessor, complete, replete with its 600+ pin out.

The chip was engraved with curious Intel-like markings, which read as follows:

INTEL CONFIDENTIAL
OV 16 ES A 4
C 015 T 000 - 0149
i ( m ) ( c ) '99 80528 KC 1. XG 1 M
D 015 T 001
0,751

This, according to our source, is what the markings he understands mean:

"As far as I know:
ES - engineering sample
A4 - stepping (not sure, can be plant code for Chandler, Arizona but wouldn't match with C015/D015)
C - plant code
0 - year of manufacture (9-1999, 0-2000, 1-2001…)
15 - week of manufacture
T000 - test lot traceability number
0149 - serialization code

OV16 - ???
0751 - ???

"Furthermore I don't know why two different markings are used on the chip C015 / D015. Also the given plant code is none I have.

"0 - San Jose, Coast Rica (A6/T6)
"1 - Cavite, Philippines
"6 - Chandler, Arizona (A4)
"8 - Leixlip, Ireland
"9 - Penang, Malaysia (A1)
"Q - Malaysia
"R - Manila, Philippines
"Y - Leixlip, Ireland".

If any of that helps, of course. Foster, the grown up Pentium 4 for servers, is expected to start shipping in the first quarter of next year. ®

See Also

Intel's Foster caught in de flagrante