Intel shuts down overclocking party by closing Skylake loophole

    Intel shuts down overclocking party by closing Skylake loophole


    Posted: 09 Feb 2016
    The cheap overclocking party is over. An upcoming microcode update from Intel will close the door on a loophole that let users goose Skylake CPUs that weren't meant to be overclocked.

    The company confirmed to PCWorld on Monday that an update would “align” the CPUs in question.

    Intel regularly issues updates for our processors which our partners voluntarily incorporate into their BIOS,” an Intel spokesman said. “The latest update provided to partners includes, among other things, code that aligns with the position that we do not recommend overclocking processors that have not been designed to do so. Additionally, Intel does not warranty the operation of the processor beyond its specifications.

    That’s basically a kinder way of saying: You shouldn’t be overclocking these CPUs, so stop it.

    Why this matters: Since December, overclockers have been able to run lower-priced CPUs above their rated speeds by cranking up the bclock setting on a chip. Intel normally charges more for such capability, so budget-minded overclockers were overjoyed. That party, though, is about to end...


    Read more: It's official: Intel shuts down the cheap overclocking party by closing Skylake loophole | PCWorld
    Brink's Avatar Posted By: Brink
    09 Feb 2016



  1. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #1

    Party poopers
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #2

    Well, they might be killing the capability, but nothing says that you have to upgrade the BIOS if you currently have a motherboard that will overclock a cheaper chip.

    Now if Intel gets Microsoft to push an update that looks for a particular BIOS signature to make sure the chip is locked, then all bets are off.
      My Computer


  3. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #3

    I would think that it is difficult to force people to install that update. But for the CPUs of the future that is another story. The factory will do the update.
      My Computer


 

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