Intel to lock processors

[Mr. Natural]

This article (http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20040619_110346.html) at Tom's stating that Intel plans on preventing overclocking of future processors. There's a nice follow-up article which features a preview of the new 775 procs.
My opinion: one more nail in the Intel coffin. AMD fans enjoy.

[Ojnod]

Wow that sucks. I had a 2.4ghz P4 and I was pleased so I got a 3.2 and I am pleased. But they will not see me hop on the 775 bandwagon.

[Kalbrecht]

That's a mighty quick opinion to jump to, Mr N.

I see it from a different perspective - this provides some security for the vast majority of computer buyers - the semi-literate ones who know that there's a difference between a 2.4 and a 2.8, but still get screwed by the computer store down the road who oc'ed the 2.4 in the guy's machine, and charge him the 2.8+ cost.

Plus, it sides with Intel's focus on the business and server side of processor provision, neither of which place much focus on the oc'ing side of processors.

And, yeah, it protects their asses. That's not a particularly new tactic, business-wise, though.

[Gaim Mastr]

Naw.

I'd read about this a few days ago.

Small unsavory comp stores like that are usually quick to go out of business as soon as their 'cheating' is found out by knowledgeable friends of the people that get ripped off.

I'm afraid it's a little more basic than all of that, Kalbrect. Though you're right that it's happened before. Once again Intel is pushing the limits of their current architecture. The prevention of O'Cing is probably due to the heat issue.

Take the 3.2, 3.4 and 3.6GHz EE Prescott chips. There has been a lot of reports that they run pretty hot, especially under a load. I've read many personal accounts from owners who've seen temps of 50C at idle.

Anyone who buys those chips would be wise to also pick up a solid copper heatsink with variable speed fan that can reach high speeds (usually at a cost of up to 70+ decibels, ie. leaf blower noise).

Both Intel and nVidia are running into more serious heat issues that either AMD or ATI. I foresee a time not too long from now when cases are designed to once again lay horizontal, instead of standing vertical.

Specifically, this will take a lot of weight off of the CPU brackets. This is because beyond turbo fans on traditional heatsinks are the much heavier cooling systems of heatsinks with heat pipes that can take two fans attached to it.

Thermaltake Combo Cool DIY Series TOWER112 (http://thermaltake.com/coolers/comboCool/cl-p0024tower112/cl-p0024tower112.htm) (approx $53.00 US)

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/35-106-044-01.JPG

[Kalbrecht]

Good point Gaim.

I always forget that Intel's latest have had massive heat problems, since their earlier ones were so nice and cool.