Xeon X5680s Now $45... October 2018

[toodamnhip]

Yeah I would think about it, then not. You're taking a risk with used chips anyway, bu most eBay resellers are testing them before sending them out at least. "pulled from working machines" etc.
I'm just cheap so the thought would cross my mind.

Don’t be cheap with your computer’s BRAIN....
However, you can be cheap with your computers table top, plastic doily...lol...

[Gravity Jim]

Nothing wrong with used or pulled chips, if you buy them from a reseller who tests and guarantees the product. I bought used, and the chips looked and ran like new. If they fail in 30 days, free replacement.

[James Steele]

Nothing wrong with used or pulled chips, if you buy them from a reseller who tests and guarantees the product. I bought used, and the chips looked and ran like new. If they fail in 30 days, free replacement.

Yep... my used chip seems to be doing fine.

[monkey man]

My used chips come out brown and smelly no matter how they're cooked.

Just sayin'. Sorry. Carry on.

Oh, I sent a link for new 5680s on eBay to my cuz who is able to buy online. Still waiting to hear back from him (couple o' days now). I think they were $249 or $239 U$D, but at least they were new. Pity the Aus dollar's fallen through the floor right now as it will add significantly to the price. I figured what the heck as I'm dead in the water with this AVB dilemma anyway and the machine I'm on was bought expressly with a CPU upgrade in mind. If I keep it (no AVB), it'll fly, and if I don't (nMP, AVB etc.), it'll sell for more anyway.

Can't go too far wrong, and I too owe it all to Sir Markus.

[danworks]

I think they were $249 or $239 U$D, but at least they were new.

In this side of the planet, prices are significantly higher than US, (€800-900 for a matched pair - new) especially if you consider that the majority of the chips are coming fm UK therefore are sold in British Pounds which is a quite strong currency.

Still a bargain if compared to circa €6,000 for the new Mac flower pot version.

[HCMarkus]

"Matched Pair" is BS. Just buy two SLBV5.

[James Steele]

"Matched Pair" is BS. Just buy two SLBV5.

Right. They're not microphones.

[danworks]

"Matched Pair" is BS. Just buy two SLBV5.

Right. They're not microphones.

According to what the vendor claim, cos they're coming fm the same server and because "matched on all 7 code digits", whatever it mean.

About matched pair mics, lets talk about a genuine marketing gizmo

[James Steele]

I thought there were variations in frequency response etc. I never researched it since I never bought a pair of mics with the intent of stereo recording. I only imagine "matching" could be important in analog devices as opposed to digital processors.

[monkey man]

I only imagine "matching" could be important in analog devices as opposed to digital processors.

I think you're correct, James. Even for monitors, it seems.

As an example, the Mackie HR824 in SOS:

During manufacture, the gain and frequency response of the speakers is individually adjusted to reduce performance variations due to component tolerances, so we should be able to expect better matching between pairs of speakers. An individual calibration plot also comes with each speaker, which is reassuring.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep07/a ... 824mk2.htm

I can only assume that the Event Opals are manufactured to such tight tolerances that this isn't necessary for them. Lee at the factory told me that the serial numbers are irrelevant in this regard; I was concerned that mine were nowhere near consecutive. Perhaps this is because they build these puppies from the ground up; even the components are manufactured in-house.

I reckon, seeing as mic diaphragms are oh-so-finnicky, slim and tiny, that both their production and installation likely cause slight anomalies which translate in the real world to audible discrepancies.

[monkey man]

I think they were $249 or $239 U$D, but at least they were new.

In this side of the planet, prices are significantly higher than US, (€800-900 for a matched pair - new) especially if you consider that the majority of the chips are coming fm UK therefore are sold in British Pounds which is a quite strong currency.

Still a bargain if compared to circa €6,000 for the new Mac flower pot version.

I certainly hear you, Danworks. Didn't want you to think I ignored your post, mate.

Looks like it's gonna be roughly $700 AU plus $100 shipping from the US. The shipping's bloody expensive but I reckon the box must be big or something.

Still, as you suggested, the bottom line remains great. Should arrive in about a week. I ordered (through my cousin, to be fair, as he's got the whole buying-online thing covered) a tube of Arctic Silver too. The local Mac store says it can't order it as the compound's different from what Apple recommends. Go figure. Typical 'though.

Sir Markus, thank you again. You'll no doubt hear from me when the beast blows up, but until then you're a ridgy-didge hero of mine.

[danworks]

Looks like it's gonna be roughly $700 AU plus $100 shipping from the US. The shipping's bloody expensive but I reckon the box must be big or something.

I found several chips in US but in the past, whenever I got something from America, I always had to add to the final price (shipping included!) the custom charge - which isn't cheap - plus VAT, which is another 22%.

At the end I've ordered it in UK and hopefully it should arrive this week.
At the moment I'm very scared and excited

[monkey man]

Ha! Me too, mate.

I know nothin' about this chip stuff. Geez, I'm even worried that somehow I'll be gettin' the wrong flavour (I like salt & vinegar) of X5680s, if indeed that's possible.

At any rate, I'll be taking the beast to a Mac retailer where the gut exchange will take place (no warranty, of course), 'cause I'm not confident enough to git mah mitts doity.

I wait in anti-poo-piss-peration along with you. Sweatin' bullets already...

[danworks]

I know nothin' about this chip stuff. Geez, I'm even worried that somehow I'll be gettin' the wrong flavour (I like salt & vinegar) of X5680s, if indeed that's possible.

Me neither but apparently everyone that already did the transplant said that it's a flawless operation. That's why I don't understand why I'm sweating like crazy.

About the chips, I saw some made in Costa Rica other in Malay. Matched or un matched (BS or not) I would avoid to couple two fm different places … at least made in the same place/factory

[toodamnhip]

Finished my install.

My speed more than doubled running Geek Bench at the free version 32 bit mode.
I wonder if any of you know if the relative speed increase I got in 32 bit mode allows for an understanding of same in 64 bit mode?

I only ran the free version of Geek bench which only does 32 bit tests.

I figured the same ratio would apply to 64? What say ye?

By the way, I am thrilled. Everything worked perfectly. My fan has’t even made a sound in 6 hrs. (Hmm, is it hooked up?..lol...)

Thanks to James, the forum and all who put in their time to make this confront-able!

My current production has been running full red 24-7, processor just short of choking.

Now..no more red!

And....

I took the buffers all the way down to 256 without going into the red!

So, my real-world result is just that:
Maxed out at 1024 can now run on 256!!

Thanks again all.