Thursday, July 25th 2013
Intel Cracks Down on Motherboard Vendors Offering Overclocking on non-Z Chipset
Over the past couple of months, motherboard vendors from across the industry offered BIOS updates for their motherboards based on Intel B85 Express and H87 Express chipsets, which enable CPU overclocking for Intel's unlocked Core processors denoted by "K" brand extension (Core i7-4770K, i5-4670K). This reportedly hasn't gone down well with Intel. Intel's Bxx and Hxx chipsets are significantly cheaper than its Zxx series chipset. Sensing a clear threat to its revenue, from the prospect of motherboard vendors coming up with high-end or overclocking-ready (strong CPU VRM) motherboards based on cheaper chipsets in the near future, Intel cracked down on them.
Intel is giving final touches to a CPU microcode update that restricts Core "K" Haswell processors from overclocking on chipsets other than Z87 Express. A microcode update can be deployed both through BIOS updates, and surreptitiously through Windows Update. Intel's used the tried and tested "stability" bogey to justify the update. While it's true that motherboards based on B85 and H87 tend to feature weaker CPU VRM, there's nothing to say that ASUS wouldn't have gone on to design its next ROG Maximus on H87 Express, and save on manufacturing costs. While it's purely hypothetical, something like that wouldn't be in Intel's commercial interests. What next? Intel will push this new microcode update on to motherboard vendors, instructing them to issue BIOS updates with it; and future batches of Intel "K" CPUs may not support overclocking. If that isn't enough to contain the problem, Intel may give Microsoft a ring, and ask it to push the update through Windows Update. It tried that once in the past.
Source:
Heise.de
Intel is giving final touches to a CPU microcode update that restricts Core "K" Haswell processors from overclocking on chipsets other than Z87 Express. A microcode update can be deployed both through BIOS updates, and surreptitiously through Windows Update. Intel's used the tried and tested "stability" bogey to justify the update. While it's true that motherboards based on B85 and H87 tend to feature weaker CPU VRM, there's nothing to say that ASUS wouldn't have gone on to design its next ROG Maximus on H87 Express, and save on manufacturing costs. While it's purely hypothetical, something like that wouldn't be in Intel's commercial interests. What next? Intel will push this new microcode update on to motherboard vendors, instructing them to issue BIOS updates with it; and future batches of Intel "K" CPUs may not support overclocking. If that isn't enough to contain the problem, Intel may give Microsoft a ring, and ask it to push the update through Windows Update. It tried that once in the past.
85 Comments on Intel Cracks Down on Motherboard Vendors Offering Overclocking on non-Z Chipset
What about MS start BLOCKING the use of OpenSource executables?
What about an AMD deal with MS where Windows blocks the use of nV GPU drivers?
What about a deal where intel "kills" a CPU if you don't pay monthly license fees... or "kills" a CPU if you pop it into an unlicensed mainboard <<<- THERE YOU GO!
... see where it is going?
NO.
Thats what happens when there are no strong competition in the market... simply the end user get abused by such f***ing jerks at intel.
now I am really really regretting that I just bought 2 cpu's from them... :banghead: I miss AMD and the old days...
hwbot.org/newsflash/2127_msi_oc_on_z87_h87_b85_and_h81_chipsets_z87_the_only_true_overclocking_platform
Amd would do exactly the same if the shoe was on their foot, so don't demonize Intel for doing it.
I love the complaints... "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH they are taking away something that shouldnt really be there on a platform that isnt even made for overclocking. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH". OH and, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH a for profit business is trying to ensure they are making as much money as they can WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"
:slap:
:D
People need to get over 'big bad intel' crap already IMO.
Motherboard makers can be forced to make a BIOS that isn't able to be downgraded to an older version, of course there are already tools out there in public that allow this back flash with BIOSes which are locked, you just gotta look.
Of course they can't make you flash, but they ca make them flash boards being sold.
IMO go Intel, unlocking B and H series kills Z series sales, its stupid and dumb and puts high rik of VRM overheating and low OC potential.
but for alot of people stock is enough now, especially on desktops if you have a decent cpu.
@jorge: I can't tell if you're trolling or are just being that dumb. Seeing your post history it's probably the second thing.
I say overclock on every CPU, but make sure the motherboard is robust enough to handle it. You don't want a situation like AMD has on their hands where buying an octo core and a cheap motherboard is a bad idea due to some boards throttling the CPU even at stock speeds!LOL, yeah...!
another reason why amd is looking more and more appealing to me everyday. This is coming from someone who has always gone the intel and nvidia route.
Intel not green. It is entirely unnecessary. Boo. If this was the automotive industry there would be regulations against this sort of practice. Boo.
Saying AMD is the "angel of the x86 industry" seems to be an incorrect statement. AMD changes things almost as badly as Intel does, but nobody seems to want to care.