Eric Woo is the rose amongst the thorns - all legit pulls, never remarked!
Identifying and confirming fake 68040 CPUs (especially the L88M mask)
- Thread starter Mr. Fahrenheit
- Start date
Eric Woo is the rose amongst the thorns - all legit pulls, never remarked!
For reference:
Mask revisions of the 68040 variant
Note: The table only applies to the full 68040, there are other masks for the EC and LC variants!| mask | Year | production | XC/MC |
|---|---|---|---|
| D43B | 1989 | 0.8µm | xc |
| D50D | 1989 | 0.8µm | xc |
| D98D | 1989 | 0.8µm | xc |
| E31F | 1989 | 0.8µm | xc |
| E26A | 1992-1995 | 0.65µm | xc |
| E42K | 1995 | 0.65µm | MC |
| K63H | 2000 | 0.57µm | MC |
| L88M | 2002 | 0.57µm | MC |
| package | Socket | mask | Year | structure size | XC/MC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quad Flat Package | QFP184 | 0.5µm | MC68040FE25V | ||
| Quad Flat Package | QFP184 | 0.5µm | MC68040FE33V | ||
| Quad Flat Package | QFP184 | 0.5µm | MC68040FE40V | ||
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 02E42K | 1995 | 0.65µm | MC68040RC33, MC68040RC25 |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 03F54F | 0.5µm | MC68040RC25V | |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | ? | 0.5µm | MC68040RC33V | |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | ? | 0.65µm | MC68040RC40 | |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | ? | 0.5µm | MC68040RC40V | |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 20D43B | 1989 | 0.8µm | XC68040RC25 |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 26D43B | XC68040RC25 | ||
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 04D50D | 1989 | 0.8µm | XC68040RC25A |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 09D50D | XC68040RC25B | ||
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 02E31F | 1989 | 0.8µm | XC68040RC25M |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | XC68040RC33 | |||
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 05D98D | 1989 | 0.8µm | XC68040RC33E |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 05O98D | XC68040RC33E | ||
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 07D98D | 1989 | 0.8µm | XC68040RC33E |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 00E31F | 1989 | 0.8µm | XC68040RC33M |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 02E31F | 1989 | 0.8µm | XC68040RC33M |
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | XC68040RC40 | |||
| Pin Grid Array | PGA179 | 02E31F | 1989 | 0.8µm | XC68040RC40M |
If you like, you can do a copy/paste of your excellent table content as an Article (if some folks would find that more helpful), because unlike a certain other forum which shall not be named, you can Edit posts here on TinkerDifferent.
"Articles" in the "Resources" section are especially made for edits and updates, and here's one example of an Article which has been updated by its author. Anyone should be able to do those edits/updates without any special mod or admin privileges.At some point, nobody will be able to acquire fast 40MHz rated 040 CPUs anymore, and we will need a modern replacement to enjoy overclocking. I've long read about the PiStorm project which replaces a 68000 CPU, but even to this day, it doesn't work in a Mac. But just imagine a full 68040 with FPU modern equivalent that could be overlocked to 50MHz and higher without any heatsink or fan. One can dream, right?
So the last Eric Woo chip has just arrived. I've attached photos of the altered chip and the new one. Also are both underneath shots.
The markings on the new chip are almost impossible to see, but its just only cleaned and not re-masked. I'm also not sure of what the H in the XC68040HRC40M is in reference to.
If anybody has a some more tests besides MacBench to run, please let me know.
Have a good one!
PS (excuse the dirty hands, being a diesel mechanic has its downsides)
The markings on the new chip are almost impossible to see, but its just only cleaned and not re-masked. I'm also not sure of what the H in the XC68040HRC40M is in reference to.
If anybody has a some more tests besides MacBench to run, please let me know.
Have a good one!
PS (excuse the dirty hands, being a diesel mechanic has its downsides)
HRC is supposed to indicate that the chip was binned for producing less heat.
I do not know how accurate that is.
Another good source of genuine pull 040's: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363493164879
Had good luck with them. K63H mask, too.
Had good luck with them. K63H mask, too.
Another seller from China too, I see. Interesting how all the sellers who have genuine pulls are based in China. I guess that means nobody outside China pulls and sells 040 CPUs?
I've recently purchased a number of 040's and 060's from Ebay seller Eric Woo's Rare Chips. Had quite a few conversations with him as well about fake chips. He's been vey honest with me and everything is as promised. 6 chips total from there (2 x rev6 060).
Eric tells me there are ZERO legit L88M's @ 40mhz remaining anywhere in China unless more equipment with them gets scrapped. He confirmed any of the 40mhz chips listed currently are fake.
MTXStore refunded 100% of my money instantly, they know what they are doing. It was my first 040 purchase I thought I would gamble on. Looked fake in the pics, was certainly fake when it arrived. I suspect it is a E31F, and will have it x-rayed soon to report back. Won't know what mhz it was rated for but at least can check the package.
Eric tells me there are ZERO legit L88M's @ 40mhz remaining anywhere in China unless more equipment with them gets scrapped. He confirmed any of the 40mhz chips listed currently are fake.
MTXStore refunded 100% of my money instantly, they know what they are doing. It was my first 040 purchase I thought I would gamble on. Looked fake in the pics, was certainly fake when it arrived. I suspect it is a E31F, and will have it x-rayed soon to report back. Won't know what mhz it was rated for but at least can check the package.
L88M's might be the pinnacle, but the K63H's are good - maybe he has some of them? Also E42K RC33's would be a decent buy.
Nope. A glance at the seller's rating and the photo combined with my gut screams fakery.
Why would a 68040 look like this on the top? Very different from what I've seen on Mac mobos and accelerators.
Who wants to gamble $100?
If it were $50, I would. $100 is a bit much for this in my opinion. Especially for an unknown.
I think there’s a danger that some of these remarking fraudsters could be reading up on what mistakes they’re making with regards to the fakes, and remarking them to remove the errors they’ve had in the past.
Although the danger of that on a 33mhz chip is likely lower than the unicorn 40mhz chips.
The -101 matches the E42K and the date code of 1999 coincides with that mask and the style of print.
I would say it’s a toss up whether it’s legitimate or not. However, who would have trays of pristine 68040 chips ready to sell from China? All identical….
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Eric Woo confirms no 33mhz chips left either. He's response was even 25mhz are getting rare now and he hasn't bought any in over a month. We are nearing the end guys....
I wonder how many were bought up by Mac users, and how many were for Amigas.
The 40mhz variant will likely be the rarest of all of the 68040 chips.