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I feel this model is interesting but I don't think this upgrade model will scale up to high performance parts. It will depend heavily on features and price over what you will really get from your additional $50 or even more.
Or, will it be better to spend $100 on a higher class processor for 20-30% gain? It makes sense from lower performing parts but would this work on the high performing i7 family? No, unless Intel will sell you hyper treading, cache, and clock speed bumps with the upgrade with moderate power consumption. And I am interested in powerful 4-8 core CPUs for 3D rendering.
In any case I find it interesting the idea to unlock additional features on the hardware from the manufacturer.
Or, will it be better to spend $100 on a higher class processor for 20-30% gain? It makes sense from lower performing parts but would this work on the high performing i7 family? No, unless Intel will sell you hyper treading, cache, and clock speed bumps with the upgrade with moderate power consumption. And I am interested in powerful 4-8 core CPUs for 3D rendering.
In any case I find it interesting the idea to unlock additional features on the hardware from the manufacturer.
Matthias99
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- Jul 22, 2010
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In theory, there's nothing particularly wrong or uncommon with this approach. I mean, if you buy Windows 7 Home, and want to upgrade it to the Ultimate version, you just enter a new license key and off you go. It's the "same" OS, just with some features disabled in the Home version.
Of course, with hardware it's a little different. A CPU being deliberately sold with some of its hardware disabled (or crippled in other ways, such as reducing the multiplier) is going to be more expensive than a cut-down model that simply doesn't have that hardware. Although some of that might be offset by lower production costs, since there is still a fairly high overhead in setting up manufacturing for a cut-down design.
While it might make financial sense in some situations for the manufacturer, it usually doesn't come across well to customers. It doesn't take a genius to see that they're still turning a (smaller) profit at the 'crippled' pricepoint, so the price difference between the crippled and uncrippled version of the software/hardware must be pure profit. At least with software, you can argue that there are higher support costs for a product with more features, so there is actually some extra cost they have to shoulder as well. But with hardware, it's just them trying to make more money.
Of course, with hardware it's a little different. A CPU being deliberately sold with some of its hardware disabled (or crippled in other ways, such as reducing the multiplier) is going to be more expensive than a cut-down model that simply doesn't have that hardware. Although some of that might be offset by lower production costs, since there is still a fairly high overhead in setting up manufacturing for a cut-down design.
While it might make financial sense in some situations for the manufacturer, it usually doesn't come across well to customers. It doesn't take a genius to see that they're still turning a (smaller) profit at the 'crippled' pricepoint, so the price difference between the crippled and uncrippled version of the software/hardware must be pure profit. At least with software, you can argue that there are higher support costs for a product with more features, so there is actually some extra cost they have to shoulder as well. But with hardware, it's just them trying to make more money.
leafman420
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- Aug 14, 2009
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if i pay for it i should get what i pay for. don't they already make two sets of chips so if you want a weak cpu you can buy a weak cpu. well that just what i'm thinking.
leafman420
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if i pay for it i should get what i pay for. don't they already make two sets of chips so if you want a weak cpu you can buy a weak cpu. well that just what i'm thinking.
I guess no one here has worked with IBM mid-range or mainframe systems. This has been standard operating procedure for IBM for at least 25 years. The main difference is that IBM is much sleazier about it and MUCH more expensive.
What IBM does is to equip a range of systems at various price points with exactly the same model CPU. The what they do is to throttle the CPU utilization. They are not even enabling more cores or threads. For an extra $10,000 or so USD they just let the CPU run at 60% capacity instead of 30% capacity.
Just think how much Intel would save if everything from the slowest i3 to the fastest i7 was exactly the same chip using the same manufacturing dies.
IBM implements this via a special circuit board that has to be plugged in to the motherboard. Quite a few 3rd parties have tried to sell either a cheaper card or a workaround patch. IBM has beaten them senseless in court every time. I'm sure Intel has been watching this VERY carefully. Hacks may not be as free as you think. You usually get pretty good value for the judges and politicians you pay for.
What IBM does is to equip a range of systems at various price points with exactly the same model CPU. The what they do is to throttle the CPU utilization. They are not even enabling more cores or threads. For an extra $10,000 or so USD they just let the CPU run at 60% capacity instead of 30% capacity.
Just think how much Intel would save if everything from the slowest i3 to the fastest i7 was exactly the same chip using the same manufacturing dies.
IBM implements this via a special circuit board that has to be plugged in to the motherboard. Quite a few 3rd parties have tried to sell either a cheaper card or a workaround patch. IBM has beaten them senseless in court every time. I'm sure Intel has been watching this VERY carefully. Hacks may not be as free as you think. You usually get pretty good value for the judges and politicians you pay for.
rohitbaran
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- Mar 21, 2010
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[citation][nom]Miyasashi[/nom]If for instance the CPU's are sold 50 dollars cheaper than the actual value and you're not sure if you need the extra power you'll save some money.But if it's overpriced and you have to pay extra... well you know what I'm trying to say.[/citation]
It is overpriced. I read this on another website and I am simply quoting it back: The upgrade charge $50 is way too high when one can get a HT enabled Core i3 with higher L3 cache for just $15 extra over the Pentium. This scheme is really shoddy.
It is overpriced. I read this on another website and I am simply quoting it back: The upgrade charge $50 is way too high when one can get a HT enabled Core i3 with higher L3 cache for just $15 extra over the Pentium. This scheme is really shoddy.
mindspring
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Darkv1
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I wonder if this is going to be bios or software service based. Either way I'm willing to bet there will be a workaround within a short time. Seems like Intel found a good way to make an extra buck...but an underhanded, rape the customer for all you can way to make an extra buck...
belardo
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Intel won't make an i7 CPU and sell it as an i3... with hopes of an upgrade later. The die-size of the CPU is cost prohibitive, besides both chips are in different sockets and intel is coming out with 2 more socket for the i-whatever CPUs that are not compatible with the current CPUs.
Next stupid idea that may come out...
- Renting DVDs that are self-destructive after a few days of being opened. So the consumer has no care or effort in returning the disc, simply throw it away! WOW!
- Sell Blu-Ray discs at $5~10 cheaper than a normal disc, but the owner can pay $5 to activate the disc for a few days!
Next stupid idea that may come out...
- Renting DVDs that are self-destructive after a few days of being opened. So the consumer has no care or effort in returning the disc, simply throw it away! WOW!
- Sell Blu-Ray discs at $5~10 cheaper than a normal disc, but the owner can pay $5 to activate the disc for a few days!
"Insert Computer store explosion scene from Fight Club" Yes, we go Tyler Durdan on 'em. This is why AMD is the way to go.
Gin Fushicho
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- Mar 11, 2009
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This is really a way to cut down on production. If we sell everyone an i7 and just "Govern it" unless they want to pay to allow it opened up then they dont have to make 3 different types of chips...Its not a bad concept, i think it just needs to be marketed differnetly...The corvette example is bad lol...
This is more like buying a video card thats a 5380, its actually a 5870 but you only paid 40 dollars for it, if you want it to run as a 5650 you pay another 50, and if you want a 5870 you pay another 100... i see this being a good and bad idea. The crack codes will be all over but id love to see someone come up with a poll that shows how many people actually use "cracked" software vs legit. Im sure the cracked is high but when you in clude businesses i think its actually quite small. You cant "PHYSICALLY" crack the processor so if they allow for software cracks i think it can turn into microsofts genuine problem. Every version since xp has been crackable...
This is more like buying a video card thats a 5380, its actually a 5870 but you only paid 40 dollars for it, if you want it to run as a 5650 you pay another 50, and if you want a 5870 you pay another 100... i see this being a good and bad idea. The crack codes will be all over but id love to see someone come up with a poll that shows how many people actually use "cracked" software vs legit. Im sure the cracked is high but when you in clude businesses i think its actually quite small. You cant "PHYSICALLY" crack the processor so if they allow for software cracks i think it can turn into microsofts genuine problem. Every version since xp has been crackable...
You unlock the CPU without authenticating it online, through Intel's servers... They'll ban your CPU, and reset it to 1core/1Ghz/single channel/1x PCI Express 
kronos_cornelius
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- Nov 4, 2009
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Or just buy AMD's Black Edition chips from the start and only physics will be able to stop you.
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