Intel Charging $50 to Unlock CPU's Full Features

[Guest]

AMD is starting to look better and better

 

[applegetsmelaid]

Not a big deal really. None of their chips have their full potential unlocked anyway, unless you know how to overclock. At that point the MFR voids the warranty. Think of it as overclocking for the clueless. That being said, it would probably be a much bigger hit with the Apple crowd than for Gateway users.

 

[stevelord]

AMD looking better? You'll still get less performance. Pay less for AMD, get less performance. Pay more for Intel, get better performance.

It's a fact, no matter how good you try and make yourself feel.

 

[jonnyboyC]

I honestly don't see what the problem here is this with, you pay for one cpu, and you have the option of finally upgrading your laptop without having to just outright buy a new one, i'd much rather hand intel 50 bucks then spend another 600 bucks for the same upgrade

 

[jjamess]

I can see this being a great thing for people on a budget. Buy the minimum and then upgrade later when they can afford it. These same people are normally very illiterate at upgrading parts, simplicity. I can see this being a BIG sales pitch. I would never buy it for myself being a power user, but I can open my eyes and see that some people will welcome it.

 

[lambokropf]

I like Intel's chips and everything, but if you have to "protect" yourself by charging people to give them what they already own, methinks it stinks of cowardly greed and desperation to step above the competition. I mean it's not like they're already charging way over AMD's prices or anything.

 

[dallaswits]

Yet another reason to buy AMD.

 

[ginnai]

I just gave my AMD stock a hug and a kiss.

 

[Dirtman73]

Sigh...

I just knew there were going to be Intel fanboyz that would defend this. It's greed, plain and simple folks.

 

[ajcroteau]

uuuuuhhhhhh!!!!! what!!! Just buy an AMD so you don't have to deal with this nonsense...

GG intel...

 

[ajcroteau]

[citation][nom]SteveLord[/nom]AMD looking better? You'll still get less performance. Pay less for AMD, get less performance. Pay more for Intel, get better performance.It's a fact, no matter how good you try and make yourself feel.[/citation]

I like saving money

 

[Guest]

If it means the crippled cpu will give an opportunity to those with smaller budgets to get it, then yeah!
If it means this is just a method for Intel to charge more for a full featured cpu, then no!

 

[Dirtman73]

[citation][nom]SteveLord[/nom]AMD looking better? You'll still get less performance. Pay less for AMD, get less performance. Pay more for Intel, get better performance.It's a fact, no matter how good you try and make yourself feel.[/citation]

You're ignoring the real debate about this. This is about Intel intentionally price-tiering their tech so they can make a few extra bucks off of clueless users. AMD FTW, because AMD would never stoop to something this low. Intel, on the other hand, has a proven track record of shady business practices.

 

[Guest]

I really don't get why people are so up in arms about this. For example(I will use AMD cpus because i know net zero about intel binning)
I get a phenom x2 545 for 130 NZD. So i payed for a dual core and got a dual core. Let us just say for the purpose of the example those extra cores were not screwed.
The equivalent speed quad costs 196 NZD. So as i see it that gives you 66$ of upgrade spending before anyone can whine about anything. So in my opinion it just comes down to the price difference between the fully featured processor and the original + upgrade as to whether this is a bad thing or not. I would always expect the upgrade path to cost more in total or it would not make sense, though.
Seriously, i don't get the negativity surrounding this. You pay for less features, you get less features. You want those extra features, get the fully featured processor in the first place. Too expensive? well then you just discovered the reason for this model.

All that being said, I am not really liking the precedent.

 

[ajcroteau]

All kidding/flaming aside... I think is a bad move from Intel because some people will start to think... well if I buy an Intel processor or laptop, how will I know I'm getting all the support features without having to shell out more money to Intel...

I would be saying the same thing to AMD if they decided to try something like this...

 

[crom]

Looks like I'll get an AMD cpu next...

 

[adrcalei]

I guess the retail price will be very low

 

[HavoCnMe]

+10 to Glacier. I couldn't agree more. I love intel's performance, but damn I hate the rolex price tags.

 

[ben55124]

Dialog when the CPU is at 100% for 1min+ : "Would you like me to process faster for $50?"

New Coke can: The 12 + 6 oz: 6 ounces sealed off. Go online to pay for unlock combination that releases remaining 6 ounces. Careful, tampering triggers poison release.

 

[doyletdude]

I'm not too worried because I see this sorta thing only popping up in OEM stuff like prebuilt Dell and Gateway. A way for OEMs to keep prices low but also offer an option for those who can spend more. As a gamer, I don't see this affecting our segment of the market.