Quote:
Originally Posted by chucker
Chip manufacturers use various tricks to maximize yield. For example, if a dual-core CPU has a core that failed tests, it'll be rebadged and sold (cheaper) as single-core. The failed core will be shipped, but disabled; the other core will work fine, and the customer will never know. Likewise (and I think that's what you were asking), if a CPU fails tests at a certain frequency but passes them at a lower one, it'll be rebadged as well, and sold (cheaper) at that lower frequency.
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Or if demand for a lower frequency chip outstrips supply, manufacturers like Intel will start stamping higher rated chips as lower frequency parts. This is typically the case when a fabrication process matures and yields of low frequency parts begin to shrink.
It's also why the lowest of the low-end chips like the 1.86 GHz Core 2 Duo E6320 easily hit 3.0 GHz with no adjustments other than upping the FSB.