This refers to the version of a chip. Microprocessors typically have many different steppings where performance is increased or minor bugs are fixed. The steppings are generally not touted as a new release of the chip, because chips are not as easily upgradeable as software. You would have to buy a whole new chip to upgrade it.
a minor change in the processor
an enhancement to an existing product that chip companies use to make changes without having to test and qualify a new piece of silicon
an incremental hardware update to a processor that adds new features or components
a revision to a chip, incorporating improvements and fixing discovered bugs
Stepping is a number used by Intel to identify what level of design change a microprocessor was built to. Typically, the first version of a microprocessor comes out with a stepping of A0. As design improvements occur, later versions are identified by a change in the number (for example, A3) for minor design changes and by a change to the letter and number for more extensive design changes (for example, B2). Stepping allows the consumer and servicers to identify a microprocessor's version.
Each time Intel or Cyrix releases a new revision of processor, they give it a separate stepping number. Steppings are usually issued to correct errata (aka 'bugs') that have been discovered in processors, or that signify a voltage change. For more information on differences between steppings on Intel Pentium processors, visit Intel's Pentium Design Center or for the Pentium Pro numbers, check out Intel's Pentium Pro Design Center.
Stepping is a designation used by Intel and AMD to identify how much the design of a microprocessor has advanced from the original design. The stepping is identified by a combination of a letter and a number.