Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
Hi guys!
I just got a very nice T16 G2.
It's got great specs and I got it for a good price, buuuuut....it has an engineering sample processor.
Namely: AMD Eng Sample: 100-000000966-50_Y, 3100 MHz.
Everything seems to work fine under Windows 11, but if I was keeping it, I'd be using Linux on it.
I haven't tried it out with a live USB because I suppose that, even if everything works now, I'm guessing the needs of this sample processor isn't going to be considered in any future kernel changes?
So, given the non-standard processor, I'm wondering if it's a dumb idea to keep it?
Also, it comes with the e-privacy screen which is absolutely awful, so that's another negative point.
Any thoughts?
I just got a very nice T16 G2.
It's got great specs and I got it for a good price, buuuuut....it has an engineering sample processor.
Namely: AMD Eng Sample: 100-000000966-50_Y, 3100 MHz.
Everything seems to work fine under Windows 11, but if I was keeping it, I'd be using Linux on it.
I haven't tried it out with a live USB because I suppose that, even if everything works now, I'm guessing the needs of this sample processor isn't going to be considered in any future kernel changes?
So, given the non-standard processor, I'm wondering if it's a dumb idea to keep it?
Also, it comes with the e-privacy screen which is absolutely awful, so that's another negative point.
Any thoughts?
Re: T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
That seems like a better reason to move on than an engineering sample CPU that appears to be functioning normally.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
Re: T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
Well, if I keep it, I think I can get the screen swapped out. Not sure about the processor.
Re: T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
In my experience you're probably better served selling it and getting the notebook you want.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
-
axur-delmeria
- Senior ThinkPadder

- Posts: 4417
- Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 5:49 am
- Location: Metro Manila, Philippines
Re: T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
Mobile processors can't be swapped since a decade ago-- Haswell (4th gen) is the last Intel generation with socketed CPUs.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E
-
theterminator93
- ThinkPadder

- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:45 pm
- Location: North Ridgeville, Ohio, United States
- Contact:
Re: T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
My reaction would be that I was provided with a not-for-sale demo unit, gray-market merchandise. I ended up with an ES CPU back in the T6x era that worked fine, but it ran HOT.
In your case I would imagine it should function more-or-less normally under most conditions, but there would probably be no warranty from the manufacturer.
In your case I would imagine it should function more-or-less normally under most conditions, but there would probably be no warranty from the manufacturer.
The recovery sets guy
T480 with T25 keyboard | T25 | W520 | T601F | T420 | X220
T61p·T61·43·42p|X13 Yoga G3·220T·301·41T·24·23·22|G41|A31p·22m|i1200|TransNote
600|770Z|770|760XD|760EL|701C|755C
T480 with T25 keyboard | T25 | W520 | T601F | T420 | X220
T61p·T61·43·42p|X13 Yoga G3·220T·301·41T·24·23·22|G41|A31p·22m|i1200|TransNote
600|770Z|770|760XD|760EL|701C|755C
Re: T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
Thanks, that's what I thought.axur-delmeria wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 7:03 amMobile processors can't be swapped since a decade ago-- Haswell (4th gen) is the last Intel generation with socketed CPUs.
Re: T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
To be fair, they did mention the "Collectors item processor" in the ad, I was just wowed by the other specs for the price I didn't think it through fully. I don't expect to have any problems returning it, but I can pull the illegal sale card if I need to.theterminator93 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 9:23 amMy reaction would be that I was provided with a not-for-sale demo unit, gray-market merchandise. I ended up with an ES CPU back in the T6x era that worked fine, but it ran HOT.
In your case I would imagine it should function more-or-less normally under most conditions, but there would probably be no warranty from the manufacturer.
Re: T16 w/ Eng Sample processor
If you're dissatisfied with the screen, returning it and getting a better fit probably isn't much more, provided it's in the same ballpark specs and condition wise by the time you buy the screen and install it. Plus, there's always a chance of a miscue, even if you're skilled.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests




