Why lock CPU multiplier?

Actualy, it lies in troubles with people who would overclock the CPU, and then return it when it burned out. By locking the CPU multiplier so that the chip must be modified to surpass the current multiplier, they make sure that it is obvious if someone overclocks the chip and violates the multiplier.

And, as you said, it doesn't matter for all non-overclockers, so they are none the wiser.

Idealy, this action will lower the price of a CPU, by preventing false returns of burned overclocked chips.

Chesnuts roasting on an open CPU
Bill Gates nipping at your wallet

most people who would even have the notion of overclocking their cpu wouldn't fry it and have to buy a new one. most people would be sucessful and not have to buy a new one for a little while longer.

no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an end, when we all disintegrate, it'll all happen again.

Just a thought.... But what if someone got a slower cpu and overclocked it to what they would've bought if they couldn't overclock?? I think that's why they do it.

My system: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=8946" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=8946</A>

I can put a Celeron 766 on an old LX motherboard. That means I can use a STANDARD $35 processor instead of a $150 overdrive in a motherboard that originally only suported a 5x multiplier! The on-chip "locked" multiplier is detected instead. So locked multipliers are a good deal for refurbishers like me.

What's the frequency, Kenneth?

Well, AMD also offers a backdoor method of unlocking the multiplier, but the operation on the processor essentially terminates the warranty. This way, AMD has ensured overclocked CPUs arent returned to them, since they are notoriously prone to burnouts, but the average Joe who wont overclock would enjoy his warranty nevertheless!

Intel seems to have a different strategy, they lock their processors because they decide the processor rating after a screening of the die. In fact, AMD does the same thing too!That means every intel processor has a potential to run at the max speed but it is limited by the burnt-in multiplier so that its difficult to overclock it by increasing the FSB since every increment in FSB reflects in multiplier times the increment in core speed.

Yet, remarked processors are available in plenty. i had a mail from intel telling about possible OEM (tray pack) 800 MHz processor which was in reality a 600/100 MHz processor, a fine modification done underneath which isnt detected too easily, converted into a 800/133 processor! The multiplier is the same, FSB is increased! This piece is obviously void of any warranty from intel.

girish

<font color=red>No system is fool-proof. Fools are Ingenious!</font color=red>