• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

Pentium 75 Engineering Sample (ES)

W

w.x.

New Member
Joined
May 30, 2024
Messages
7
Hello, I've got finally after 3 years of trying Pentium 75 into collection. But then I've noticed, it is Engineering Sample.
I want to have each CPU type only once in collection.

So will this work same way as normal Pentium 75, or should I get rather another one?

I need it for benchmarks, so it needs to work exactly same as normal Pentium 75, and should not freeze on anything etc...
 

Attachments

  • aaa.jpg
    aaa.jpg
    180.4 KB · Views: 25
It depends is the only valid answer .

Is buying an engineering sample considered illegal?

Yesterday I went on ebay to see if I could find some cheap processors - I normally don't use ebay - and I was amazed by the prices for the xeons. Today I was on a xeon page and scrolled down to see some weird explaination how it wasn't compatible with motherboard x while having the right socket...
community.intel.com

My experience is that engineering samples run electronically the same but overhead can vary meaning they might run hot or unstable compared to the retail chip.

Your chip might be moderately uncommon and worth $$$ to a chip collector enough to offset buying a normal p75
 
I'd say at least try it out. Performance-wise they should be the same from what I've heard, but probably will run hotter or, if unlucky, will have stability issues. Prices for individual vintage computer components are through the roof on all online marketplaces, and if looking for one it may make more sense to just get an entire system, since they tend to be cheaper. Try a local auction or pickup-only type of site. You're guaranteed to get a hold of one for a realistic price if you're patient. It's how I got my 486 for a bit less than 30 euros (~35 USD). Flea markets are also a very good option, lots of components to be found there for dirt cheap (literally!). But alas, it mostly depends in what country and area you live in. And let's not forget about luck of course :)
 
Thank you for advices. I've took it then. It will arrive in several days. I will test it in DOS under Quake, under performance, if it freezes, for several hours.

Pentium 75 shouldn't be too hot. It was same technology as Pentium 90 and Pentium 100. So even if it will be hotter, shouldn't be much hotter than Pentium 100, which runs already 33% higher clock. I have good heatsinks with active cooler, that can handle even overclocked Pentium 233 MMX.

The much bigger problem would be that instability.
 
w.x. said:
Thank you for advices. I've took it then. It will arrive in several days. I will test it in DOS under Quake, under performance, if it freezes, for several hours.

Pentium 75 shouldn't be too hot. It was same technology as Pentium 90 and Pentium 100. So even if it will be hotter, shouldn't be much hotter than Pentium 100, which runs already 33% higher clock. I have good heatsinks with active cooler, that can handle even overclocked Pentium 233 MMX.

The much bigger problem would be that instability.
Click to expand...

If you're thinking of running without a heatsink/fan combo, don't do it. Anything over a 486/33 should have one on it.
 
Heatsink ofc but fan is not needed for Pentium 100 and below. There were many OEM boxes that didn't have one. Olivetti PCS I have doesn't have one on Pentium 100. Olivetti Modulo with P233MMX has smallest fan.

Most of the thermal problems of usual mini tower builds are due to lack of space and airflow, there wasn't much space in them around the board part once cabling is done.

It's smart to stress test for hours under a fan, but it might be not needed for "normal" work.
 
Is that *really* an Engineering Sample? This should be printed on the top of the CPU, not the bottom after the country of production. Sometimes, stuff like "ES" (or "PROTO") does not have the meaning one wishes it has...

Also, the Pentium 75 was just a slower-clocked variant to go with the Pentium 90 and 100 aimed at cheaper systems. It makes no sense for it to exist as an Engineering Sample at all.
 
Hello. So I've ordered new processor, and exactly same one arrived.
SX969 and "ES" thing is there too. Feeling pretty dumb.

So I will sell the one, and keeping the other as normal Pentium 75.
It is indeed probably not Engineering Sample.
 
JamieDoesStuff said:
Flea markets are also a very good option, lots of components to be found there for dirt cheap (literally!). But alas, it mostly depends in what country and area you live in. And let's not forget about luck of course :)
Click to expand...

When local computer mag went to do a coverage of a biggest flea market in the country (Hrelic in ZG), 20+ years ago, they were amazed someone sold a 486. Next to a Pentium 4, for 3x the price, because it's bigger :D
 
w.x. said:
Hello. So I've ordered new processor, and exactly same one arrived.
SX969 and "ES" thing is there too. Feeling pretty dumb.

So I will sell the one, and keeping the other as normal Pentium 75.
It is indeed probably not Engineering Sample.
Click to expand...

These processors are getting so old that it would be a good idea to keep a spare on hand. If you're not the original owner, you have no idea on the history of the chip and if it was abused or not, it could spontaneously stop working one day.

Even if it wasn't abused, slight defects in the silicon that weren't enough to make it fail originally could accelerate electron migration related failure over time.
 
Zare said:
When local computer mag went to do a coverage of a biggest flea market in the country (Hrelic in ZG), 20+ years ago, they were amazed someone sold a 486. Next to a Pentium 4, for 3x the price, because it's bigger :D
Click to expand...
That place looks so much more chaotic that Najlon in Novi Sad. I love it! Will definitely be going the next time I go to Zagreb. Also the "bigger=better" is a thing over here as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top