Microcenter Processors Lower Binned?

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clownshoes

Limp Gawd
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Nov 10, 2012
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I realize this may sound a tad ridiculous but is it at all possible that the processors Microcenter sells are lower binned? Kind of like how manufacturers make lower quality versions of their products specifically for Walmart and charge less for them. I only ask because the Intel processors at Microcenter are literally $100 cheaper than Amazon or Newegg (3770k is $229) and all 3 processors I've purchased at Microcenter have had absolutely horrid temps.

I recently purchased a 2700k at Microcenter and at stock settings it hits 80 °C on a hyper 212 EVO. This in comparison to a 2600k I purchased at Newegg which doesn't break 60 °C on the same cooler overclocked to 4.2Ghz. I've had similar experience with a 3570k and a 2600k purchased from Microcenter. Obviously it could just be bad luck and a coincidence but I'm just curious what experiences other people have had with processors from Microcenter.

Edit: I should clarify, temps above are when I'm stress testing with prime95 blend.
 
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Absolutely ridiculous. Intel does no binning after the cpu is neutered into its model. They use the same wafers for the cpus then bin them to model, but thats it.

Microcenter is a small company that buys in bulk, gets a discount, and passes that on to the consumer to get more business in the store.

Other stuff though is marked up I. Their store... but you shop because you saved money on the cpu and board.
 
jmilcher said:
Absolutely ridiculous. Intel does no binning after the cpu is neutered into its model. They use the same wafers for the cpus then bin them to model, but thats it.

Microcenter is a small company that buys in bulk, gets a discount, and passes that on to the consumer to get more business in the store.

Other stuff though is marked up I. Their store... but you shop because you saved money on the cpu and board.
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This is pretty much what I figured. I was just wondering what experiences other people have had. My sample size is obviously very small. Looks like I've just had some bad luck at Microcenter.
 
clownshoes said:
This is pretty much what I figured. I was just wondering what experiences other people have had. My sample size is obviously very small so it's looking like I've just had some bad luck at Microcenter.
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If it helps any ive had the exact opposite experience lol. 2 concave ihs' s from newegg on 2500 and 2600k cpus, and 3 fine 3770k's from microcenter builds.
 
Plus if a chip was stable at a higher frequency it would be binned as a different model. They do not test for overclocking ability.
 
jmilcher said:
If it helps any ive had the exact opposite experience lol. 2 concave ihs' s from newegg on 2500 and 2600k cpus, and 3 fine 3770k's from microcenter builds.
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Thanks, this is good to know. Considering the ridiculously good deals they have I was certainly hoping they weren't lower binned :D.
 
jmilcher said:
Plus if a chip was stable at a higher frequency it would be binned as a different model. They do not test for overclocking ability.
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Yeah, this makes sense. There was just that paranoid part of me that was thinking Microcenter had worked out some deal with Intel where Intel throws aside all the higher end chips that barely make the cut and sells them to Microcenter at a discount.

Edit: Come to think of it, maybe I should try throwing the stock Intel cooler on my 2700k and see what happens. Considering the 212 EVO can barely cool it, maybe it will overheat on the stock Intel and I can return it for another one.
 
i dont believe his story, it just sounds too fabricated for his unknown personal reasons.

i think he just wants to know if microcenter is legit, and not some fake store that sells counterfeit products.

stuff at microcenter is all real, need no worry, go in there and feel safe to upgrade.
 
I love Microcenter , was there yesterday and built one hell of a Pc for my buddy. They are more then helpful and always help me get the lowest price with rebates and bundles. I bought my 2600k CPU there for $159 and it does. 4800mhz at 1.315 volts, I have a 2500k that does 4800mhz on virtually stock voltages as well! I don't buy into the OP original ideas on lower grade CPUs.
 
As everyone has stated, it's not MC getting preferential treatment for lower binned model, because they are selling at a loss in hopes to make up the difference in options and accessories. It mostly stems from IB being a crippled OC'er by nature with the TIM paste under the IHS instead of fluxless solder like with SB. So, the perception is that IB does not OC as well as SB, which, clock for clock is more often than not true, but IB has a slightly higher IPC and makes up some of that defecit.
 
Kind of ridiculous, all chips run the risk of winning or losing the silicon lottery. Just gatta get lucky. And their prices are absolutely amazing...
 
I appreciate all the replies. I guess it's just a coincidence that the processors I purchased from microcenter were poor overclockers (again, small sample size as I've only purchased 3 processors from them). Glad to see all the positive reports because like the poster above me said, they have amazing deals.
 
What is very ridiculous is that there is no MC near me. :(
All I have is a Frys electronics.

If temps are that bad, you could try lapping the cpu and/or the HS.

EDIT: I dont shop at the Frys. No thanks.
 
It seriously sucks about your MC CPUs running hot like that!

I got my i5 3570K at the Fairfax VA Microcenter in May (for $190 I believe), and it runs at 4.2GHz at stock voltage (1.168v), which is considered pretty decent. All 4 cores idle in the 20s and max in the 60s with p95 blend (it's winter time) with an Antec Kuhler 620. I am content with it overall and don't see a need to delid or do anything drastic or try for higher like 4.3+.

I also got an i3 3225 from the Rockville MD Microcenter last month for my mom's new Solitaire PC, and it runs a little hotter than I'd like (tops at 79C in P95), but then again, it's running on the stock Intel cooler in a fanless Lian Li PC Q-03B.
 
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Working in the industry, I know some batches are better than others. Intel's testing is relative per batch. So what qualifies as a 3770 is relative per batch. Basically, intel splits up the bins by percentage, based on demand. So if the highest quality chips in batch 1 may be much lower quality than the highest quality chips in batch 2. But both of those chips will be binned as the same part. Distributors and reps know which batches are good quality and usually give them to the big spenders like newegg and OEMs. Better batches mean fewer warranties, which means fewer complaints from big companies who have the sway and the power to demand refunds and send back shipments by the boatload. Smaller companies usually get the lower-quality batches. This DOES happen, don't try to believe otherwise.
 
KazeoHin said:
Working in the industry, I know some batches are better than others. Intel's testing is relative per batch. So what qualifies as a 3770 is relative per batch. Basically, intel splits up the bins by percentage, based on demand. So if the highest quality chips in batch 1 may be much lower quality than the highest quality chips in batch 2. But both of those chips will be binned as the same part. Distributors and reps know which batches are good quality and usually give them to the big spenders like newegg and OEMs. Better batches mean fewer warranties, which means fewer complaints from big companies who have the sway and the power to demand refunds and send back shipments by the boatload. Smaller companies usually get the lower-quality batches. This DOES happen, don't try to believe otherwise.
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you got tech stuff with the illegal drug business mixed up.
 
TroyX said:
you got tech stuff with the illegal drug business mixed up.
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Yeah, you're correct. Intel and AMD just put a novel's worth of batch, serial, warehouse, fab numbers etc. just because it's fun.
 
I dont work at Intel,but I do work in wafer production for a large semiconductor company, and yes there are definently different bins within one wafer. But if you have 1000 die from a wafer that are called Bin 1 or Bin 2 or whatever then I don't see how it would be very practical from a production point of view to then sub bin those die to an even finer level. Possibly in final test as a packaged part or something,but your still talking about extra resources spent. Now if the process itself was different (through a special work request or something) and that can be tracked then certainly you could expect a batch to be slightly better.

But assuming that all wafers are spit out the same in a production line, it seems like it would be a hassle to have the logistics to have slightly tweaked versions seperate from the "standard". It also would still look bad on Intel, as the customer only sees themselves getting burned by Intel, not the particular retailer they purchased from.

This is just my opinion from working in the industry. I would be interested if you have any more detailed information about how this works in the fab process.

I could totally believe that a customer could order a slightly modified version at an additional cost.But I would be more hesitant to believe that a semiconductor company would set aside extra resources to sub bin something thats already been bin'ed just as "a favor". These bastards are all cheapskates :)
 
I've had two Q6600's from the Minnesota Microcenter that each did 3Ghz - 3.2Ghz. I have a i7 920 that would do 3.2Ghz. All ran within acceptable thermal ranges with proper cooling. I have plenty of friends that have bought and OC'd processors from there, so I'm thinking their processors are just fine... ;)

Actually, wish that my current location in Indy had Microcenter instead of Fry's. Fry's is impressively big, but they don't have the awesome processor deals that Microcenter regularly does.
 
I like Microcenter but it's hard to shop there. The place is small with tight isles and it's always busy making it difficult to manuver or find someone to help you. Nothing costs what the price tag says either since everything is either on sale and has an instant and/or mail in rebate which makes it impossible to know what the actual price of an item is. I rarely shop there anymore except for processors and dvd's.
 
i've bought 4 or 5 cpus from microcenter and all have been solid overclockers. As far as I can tell there is no difference and it's just luck of the draw.
 
I bought 2500k at MC the moment it came out and does a solid 4.5GHz with a little bit of offset. I might upgrade to 3700k if my wife allows me.

I went to MC to have a look at batches and you can anything you like or want.
 
Harry1969 said:
I like Microcenter but it's hard to shop there. The place is small with tight isles and it's always busy making it difficult to manuver or find someone to help you. Nothing costs what the price tag says either since everything is either on sale and has an instant and/or mail in rebate which makes it impossible to know what the actual price of an item is. I rarely shop there anymore except for processors and dvd's.
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I always shop and pay online. Then you just walk up to the internet pick up window, grab your stuff and walk out. I agree though. MC is a claustrophobic mess if you try to shop in store. Not to mention you'll likely have to wait in line for 20min once you do find what you want because it's always so busy.
 
I bought my old i7 920 D0 there and it was an incredible chip. I hit 4.0 GHz at I want to say 1.23V if my memory serves me correctly. I actually sold that computer to my roommate and he is still playing games on the same OC settings 4 years later. It has been such an incredible chip.
 
The reason Mcenter is lower in price, and they take a loss on the CPU, is they are betting on you spending many hundreds more on mobo gpu and ram and case stuff and so many people do.

It is a big incentive to get people to come into the store and buy .
 
The Q9550 I got from MC overclocked fantastic. Needed less voltage to get 3.6ghz than most people I have seen.
 
I would think that if you added up all the Micro Center stores together... times all the cpus they sell in a year... that their annual cpu sales number would be considerable.
 
PolRoger90 said:
I would think that if you added up all the Micro Center stores together... times all the cpus they sell in a year... that their annual cpu sales number would be considerable.
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Exactly.

Except for one CPU I bought here, I typically buy new CPUs - and exclusively from MicroCenter. I do my listmaking on the Webfront, then take the "shopping list" to MC with me (the list IS store-specific - due to stock differences, a list for Fairfax, VA - my usual location - would be different than a shopping list for Rockville, MD - which is my alternate). MicroCenter actually replaced a local retailer (that was a great deal closer) entirely due to their CPU pricing - however, their pricing on OTHER items is far from poor as well. (I've also found their GPU pricing far from unacceptable - I've purchased my last two from MicroCenter as well).
 
PGHammer said:
a list for Fairfax, VA - my usual location - would be different than a shopping list for Rockville, MD - which is my alternate). MicroCenter actually replaced a local retailer (that was a great deal closer) entirely due to their CPU pricing - however, their pricing on OTHER items is far from poor as well. (I've also found their GPU pricing far from unacceptable - I've purchased my last two from MicroCenter as well).
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Those are my stores too, though Rockville is closer for me.. Their GPU prices are terrible. I tell anyone who looks at their stuff to basically ignore that part of their store because its not competitive.
 
One point of data is not a trend. I bought my 3930K there and couldn't be happier with it.
 
I, too, bought my i3570k from there last summer. They definitely sold the CPU and Motherboard at a loss. I recall saving about $70 versus going with Newegg or Amazon.

The downside is that, like others have mentioned, prices on other gadgetry are absurd. Video card prices are terrible.

I DO like that they sell many PC-related trinkets though (e.g. left-angle and right-angle SATA cables). The nearest Microcenter is at least an hour away by car, but I was in a bind during my PC build and could not find angled SATA cables at any Best Buy or local PC shops in Connecticut.

Truthfully, I would love if a Fry's opened on the East Coast. I hear they are superior to even Microcenter, especially from a pricing perspective. I still worry about electronic stores' longevity in the retail brick & mortar world, though, and that is probably why they don't want to open in the Northeast (where cost of operation is much higher).
 
My 2600K runs like a champ at 4.8ghz with no issues.. got it from the Microcenter in Houston.
 
The processors that are offered at Microcenter are not different than those that are being offered at Newegg or Amazon or even Mom and Pop’s computer shop down to the street. As far batch or any other numbers on a processor or any of our other products they are there for quality control. How else do you think you are going to find out of there is a problem in the manufacturing process? You use these numbers to follow it back to when and where it was made; it is the same reason that your car has a serial number on it.
 
I've built dozens of systems around MC CPU+Mobo combos, and overclocked about half of them.

Results were in line with typical OC distributions. Some quite good, others only so-so (4/6 AMD duals unlocked to quads, the other 2 only had 3 good cores). I'm still running a MC i7-950 I bought over 3 years ago, it will do 4.25 w/HT, though I usually keep it at just 4.0, the extra voltage and heat for that last 250MHz aren't worth it.
 
Never had an issue.

They use them as loss leaders, to drive other product sales.
 
Comp625 said:
I, too, bought my i3570k from there last summer. They definitely sold the CPU and Motherboard at a loss. I recall saving about $70 versus going with Newegg or Amazon.

The downside is that, like others have mentioned, prices on other gadgetry are absurd. Video card prices are terrible.

I DO like that they sell many PC-related trinkets though (e.g. left-angle and right-angle SATA cables). The nearest Microcenter is at least an hour away by car, but I was in a bind during my PC build and could not find angled SATA cables at any Best Buy or local PC shops in Connecticut.

Truthfully, I would love if a Fry's opened on the East Coast. I hear they are superior to even Microcenter, especially from a pricing perspective. I still worry about electronic stores' longevity in the retail brick & mortar world, though, and that is probably why they don't want to open in the Northeast (where cost of operation is much higher).
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The GPU prices are terrible compared to online-only because they have to deal with physical inventory - believe it or not, most e-tailers don't HAVE a physical plant (they use a distributor such as TechData or Ingram Micro and basically drop-ship to the customer from the distributor) - TD is different because they have retail stores (and are based in Florida, which has a business-friendly tax structure for retailers; to be honest, most states flunk in terms of friendliness to retail). Also, Newegg uses GPUs as their loss-leader (much as MC does for CPUs); however, compare MC to other retailers (such as BestBuy) and MC will win most of the time. (Where Best Buy will win are those one-offs or closeouts.)
 
thebski said:
I bought my old i7 920 D0 there and it was an incredible chip. I hit 4.0 GHz at I want to say 1.23V if my memory serves me correctly. I actually sold that computer to my roommate and he is still playing games on the same OC settings 4 years later. It has been such an incredible chip.
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I bought the same CPU from Microcenter. Hard not to when they came out with the price they were selling them for.
When I asked to make sure it was a D0, the guy replied that they try to get the "better" batch of processors if they can.
To this day that processor (as far as I know) is still kicking for another fella on this forum.
 
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