Intel Wants $50 for Software Unlock of CPU Features

[CARLOtech]

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lol i just hope its not a dongle protected soft or server base software protection.

[butitoy]

monopoly...

thats what intel does because they reign and are calling the shots...

hopefully bulldozer will really bully them.

para price slash dayon.....

[poldopunk]

@ everyone na pessimist kaayo ug hunahuna about ani:

This method actually makes more sense for both AMD, Intel, OEMs and us, consumers. Intel's R&D don't design processors from the ground up, they start with the best processor they can come up with and gradually reduce/sort the line via binning until they have filled every market segment from the highest-end to the entry-level.

We know there are demands from OEMs and consumers, with the former in large volumes compared to the latter. Let's say Intel is sitting on a huge stockpile of high-end processors but the demand from OEMs and consumers call for the mid-end segment. What they are most likely to do is disable features from their current stockpile so that it matches that demand. This is inefficient and wasteful because you have a good supply of better performing processors but forced to disable features to meet the demands.

So, you're thinking 'what's in it for me, right?'. Okay, assuming you've recently bought a mid-end processor and you happen to obtain some serious wads of cash and you're thinking of upgrading. The only option is to get rid of your current item and get a new one, right? Now, what if there's a way for you to pay a fraction of the cost to get the next tier without having to buy a new merchandise, wouldn't you think its better that way - for both Intel and AMD? Put it this way; You get to buy the processor you can afford right now and just pay the remaining amount later if you want to upgrade once you have the money without having to buy a new one at a much higher cost. Besides that, this also simplifies manufacturing as they would only aim to produce one line and add restrictions and would hopefully lower the prices (a bit).

I can only hope for Intel to stick to one architecture at a reasonable period of time so we don't have to switch motherboards every time they have a new design out. Pretty much what AMD is doing right now.

Edit: wala pa gani ko nag mention diri ug cracking the restrictions to free up extra performance but you go figure.