Intel to Offer CPU Upgrades via Software for Selected Models

[Archean]

Intel® Upgrade Service offers three different upgrades on second generation Core processors: Intel® Core™ i3-2312M processor, Intel® Core™ i3-2102 processor, and Intel® Pentium® G622 processor.

CPU Before Upgrade: After Upgrade: Benefits with the Upgrade:
Intel® Core™ i3-2312M Processor Intel® Core™ i3-2393M Processor Increased Processor frequency and cache
Intel® Core™ i3-2102 Processor Intel® Core™ i3-2153 Processor Increased Processor frequency
Intel® Pentium® G622 Processor Intel® Pentium® G693 Processor Increased Processor frequency

I wonder if these CPUs can be unlocked to fuller potential without having to go to Intel

Also it shows that how much potential is locked away in SNB CPUs.

 

[Hellboy]

one day im sure they will produce some form of processor which will be upgraded / unlocked by paying extra..

if the chip is manufactured right then you pay to unlock what you can afford.

for this to happen the os will need to work closely with the chip manufacturer

imagine downloading a update patch to convert a dual core to a quad or even a 6 core.

there will be of course someone reverse engineering this but i guess it will need some sort of hack to make it work on a pc which is connected to the internet.

is this the future of processors ?

 

[fslateef]

Seems like they are going to do similar like games DLCs but here they will unlock more CPU functionality.

Which in my opinion is _fair_ as you are initially paying much less for low-end requirements as compare to others who paid lot more for high-end; so paying for unlocking high-end features is fine if someone need them later.

 

[amdfangirl]

AFG's thoughts...

1. Good because it means less chips thrown out
2. No chip to resell :O
3. Software hack ftw!
4. Fedora decides to be a rebel and let the hacking software work on Fedora without takedown

 

[Proximon]

Was this done before or merely discussed? My memory isn't what it used to be, but I seem to recall some kind of hardware feature unlock that was sold in the past.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Was this done before or merely discussed? My memory isn't what it used to be, but I seem to recall some kind of hardware feature unlock that was sold in the past.

Same here, I'm sure there was something about this posted last year.

 

[Archean]

Yes they did this last year as well for Pentium G6951 processor.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Intel-s-Pentium-G6951-Can-be-Upgraded-for-50-157035.shtml