We used various engineering-grade CPUs from Dell Workstations.
We used various engineering-grade CPUs from Dell Workstations.
Hello, I’m assembling a decent workstation PC using refurbished components from eBay for Linux development and 3D modeling. One item caught my eye—a Xeon model labeled as a "Late engineering sample" with Intel Confidential markings on the IHS. A screenshot from CPU-Z shows it’s a genuine retail unit, not a test chip. It’s listed at a significantly lower price than standard units for that part, likely because it’s an engineering sample. I’m planning to install it in a Dell T-series workstation and want to know if using this sample CPU poses any risks or compatibility issues. Thanks ahead!
CPU performance varies widely based on its origin. Some models may run at comparable speeds, while others might reach up to 2GHz maximum.
It's using an Intel Xeon E5-2667 V3 ES QEYY chip inside a Dell T5810, showing 2.9 GHz in the listing but CPUz reports 3.2 GHz. I submitted a benchmark request, but everyone advised against it because of the ES designation. I'm considering sticking with it and will keep checking.
I'm discovering details that hint the workstation might rely on the ES chip, though it remains uncertain. The problem lies in the need for the system to recognize the ES chip's microcode, which differs from standard chips. Some sources suggest a BIOS version of A12 or higher could be required for certain ES models, but it's feasible. I'm not confirming it will work exactly with your CPU, but research indicates compatibility is possible. The cost seems reasonable enough to consider the risk.
The price is pretty low, a third of retail chips, but if I get the chip and I have an issue that isn't consistent, it may make it harder to return so I'm not going to go for it. Right now I'm looking at some Xeon W-2140Bs, and I'll probably make another post about those.