Intel tests charging $50 to enable existing CPU features

updated 12:15 am EDT, Sun September 19, 2010

Intel artificially disabling CPU features in trial

Intel has quietly begun a trial program, Intel Upgrade Service, that charges customers to unlock the full performance of a chip. Certain PCs, such as Gateway's SX2841-09e, are running an artificially limited Pentium G6951 processor and asked to buy a $50 Processor Performance Upgrade Card to get the built-in feature set. Installing a Windows app switches on Hyperthreading, giving the system support for up to four program threads, and reenables another 1MB of Level 3 cache.

The rollout isn't a full one and is limited to a "small pilot program" in parts of Canada, the Netherlands, Spain and the US. Intel hasn't said whether it's leaning towards continuing or cancelling its plans.

While potentially a way to simplify upgrading, the practice is already controversial as it shows the company capable of selling a full processor at a given price but charging a premium to get its full support. In the past, Intel, AMD and other processor makers have sold full-fledged chips with reduced features only when production yields generate chips that have lose some features. Some Intel single-core processors, for example, are dual-core chips that shipped with one defective core or too little cache to drive a full set of cores.

It's unlikely every computer manufacturer would agree to the strategy. Performance-oriented builders are likely to balk as they depend on performance as a selling point. Budget PC designers may look to the option to fuel low-end sales by promising a system at one price but knowing some customers will pay a premium later. [via Engadget]

By Electronista Staff

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TAGS :

Intel, computers, industry, Gateway, Pentium

facebook_Justin

Via Facebook

Joined: Sep 2010

-9

09/19, 01:53am | report spam | (2 replies) close | reply

comment title

Reminds me of what Apple used to do with the 802.11n. MacBooks, like mine, came with 802.11n wifi but in order to take advantage of the N, you needed to buy an enabler.

Parky

Mac Elite

Joined: Oct 1999

+34

09/19, 03:39am | report spam | close reply

Not the same

"Reminds me of what Apple used to do with the 802.11n. MacBooks, like mine, came with 802.11n wifi but in order to take advantage of the N, you needed to buy an enabler."

That is not the same at all.
1. 'N' was not included on your computer originally as it had not been ratified and agreed as a standard, therefore Apple could not deliver the device with 'N' turned on.

2. They had to change under the Sarbane-Oxley financial rules for delivering additional functionality, which if not charged for the shareholders could sue Apple about for loss of income.

3. It was not a deliberate ploy by Apple to make money at a later stage, the costs was minimal but had to reflect an fair value for the same reason as point 2.

This on the other hand is a deliberate ploy by Intel to sell perfectly capable devices, not limited by approvals or standards, and then charge for them again to make more money.

Makosuke

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

09/19, 04:33am | report spam | close reply

Ouch

Even if this were the same as the n-enabler--which it's not for the aforementioned reasons--that doesn't make it any less slimy and insulting to the consumer. Not saying I'm surprised, but this alone would be enough reason to make my next system one with an AMD chip if I built my own.

Based on where performance was four years ago Apple going all-Intel made complete sense, but I suddenly find myself hoping to see some AMD processors in Macs sooner rather than later.

ebeyer

Joined: Jun 2004

09/19, 06:25am | report spam | close reply

Monopoly

Intel has an effective monopoly on the chip market. Everybody
knows it. This is the only way they can even begin to think
they can get away with this c***. Look for action from the
FTC if/when this gets announced.

starwarrior

Joined: Mar 2006

09/19, 09:08am | report spam | close reply

Slimbags on Intel List

These people are suspect as usual:

Acer* Compaq* Dell* Fujitsu* Gateway* HP* IBM* Lenovo*

Thank goodness Apple did not make the list

Lifeisabeach

Joined: May 2010

09/19, 09:16am | report spam | (1 reply) close | reply

This is not a new tactic for Intel.

Intel did similar things back in their earlier i486 days. They sold one cpu (the 486SX) that was really a 486DX, but had part of its processing power shut off. The processor upgrade they sold (the 487) was in fact a 486DX also, un-hobbled, but had a different pin arrangement so it couldn't be used in place of its hobbled brother. Plugging it in simply shut off the old one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80486SX

boris_cleto

Joined: Sep 2002

09/19, 09:42am | report spam | close reply

Kind of like IBM

IBM used to sell 2 models of mainframe. 1 that cost a $1million and 1 that cost $1/2million. The one that cost $1/2million ran at 1/2 the speed of the one that cost $1million. The only difference between the 2 was that the $1/2million model had a card in it that made it run 1/2 speed. If you removed the card it ran at full speed, and violated your service agreement.

qazwart

Joined: Apr 2001

09/19, 09:49am | report spam | close reply

I wonder how computer manufacturers will respond

Imagine you're a computer manufacturer. One model has this Intel chip and a $75 option to upgrade to the next level of processor.

Now, instead of customers paying you the $75, they simply hand $50 to Intel. What should have been your income now goes directly to your supplier.

I can't imagine manufacturers being very pleased with this. I suspect they're not on board.

The big question is what will Apple do. You know they're not going to let Intel play that game with Macs.

JuanGuapo

Joined: Jan 2008

09/19, 10:18am | report spam | close reply

Intel

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that they would do this. However, I'd be even more surprised if Apple allowed them to do it on the Mac. My guess is Jobs would call Ontenelli and tell him, "Uh, no." and that would be the end of it.

AMD still might be in Apple's future, might even buy them outright. Who knows but this thing smells bad.

CmdrGampu

Joined: Aug 2009

09/19, 10:30am | report spam | close reply

Not a big deal

If Intel can lock it, the people who want these kinds of features and performance - i.e. power users - can figure out how to unlock it and will distribute the tool to do so. Hey, Intel. HDCP master key. Think about it.

legacyb4

Joined: May 2001

09/19, 10:54am | report spam | close reply

I bought a new car

it has a V8 but I until I buy the upgrade chip, it'll only run on 5 of the cylinders... what a great concept!

barryjaylevine

Joined: Oct 2003

09/19, 12:42pm | report spam | close reply

This is wrong on so many levels I can't even begin to list them. I thought trial lawyers were at the bottom of the barrel; apparently, Intel has just proven me wrong.

facebook_Jac

09/19, 04:04pm | report spam | close reply

This could be good for AMD

If Intel went ahead and did this, it could be the best advertising AMD never paid for.

All they would have to do is just state, our processors don't need to you pay extra for therapy.

ggirton

Joined: Nov 1999

09/19, 04:31pm | report spam | close reply

which processor?

which processor you've got is confusing enough as it is. This tactic might help PC manufacturers, who have not yet learned to offer their customers a simple set of 3 choices. For Apple, which has not only mastered the "good-better-best" array of options, but has perfected it, marketing disabled chips that can then be re-enabled, is unnecessary.

But I like the idea of going the other way. Give them a fully-functional chip for a couple of months, and then have it "expire". If you want the better performance, you can pay for it. Just one among many evil possibilities.

bjojade

Joined: Jun 2007

09/19, 08:12pm | report spam | close reply

Nothing new.

Well, in the consumer space it might be. But for other things, this has happened for years. Phone systems could have features enabled with a simple software code. Things like more mailboxes, more call center options, etc. would cost more $$. No new hardware.

Obviously, the profit was in the extra features, as the hardware costs were the same.

facebook_Rachel

09/19, 09:25pm | report spam | close reply

This is just so wrong...

You buy a computer and you think that it works properly and then they tell you that you can upgrade to get at everything in the CPU.... (shakes head) so wrong so wrong. Bad Intel... No Donut!!

sibeale1

Joined: Feb 2006

09/20, 08:16am | report spam | close reply

Another way of couching it

that would go over better with the public would be to sell the fully enabled chip for a certain price and then offer to pay anyone $75 who is willing to have their chip partially enfeebled. Stated this way, I bet they'd get lots of customers accepting that offer.

wg45678

Joined: Jun 2009

09/20, 07:14pm | report spam | close reply

Should be the death of the Celeron

Guess when the yield are high enough, you can afford to actively cripple the processor instead of selling the defective ones as a different chip.

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Intel tests charging $50 to enable existing CPU features

updated 12:15 am EDT, Sun September 19, 2010

Intel artificially disabling CPU features in trial

Wow.

comment title

Hmmmm

Not the same

Ouch

Monopoly

Slimbags on Intel List

This is not a new tactic for Intel.

Kind of like IBM

I wonder how computer manufacturers will respond

Intel

Not a big deal

I bought a new car

comment title

This could be good for AMD

which processor?

Nothing new.

This is just so wrong...

Another way of couching it

Should be the death of the Celeron

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Intel tests charging $50 to enable existing CPU features

updated 12:15 am EDT, Sun September 19, 2010

Intel artificially disabling CPU features in trial

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Wow.

comment title

Hmmmm

Not the same

Ouch

Monopoly

Slimbags on Intel List

This is not a new tactic for Intel.

Kind of like IBM

I wonder how computer manufacturers will respond

Intel

Not a big deal

I bought a new car

comment title

This could be good for AMD

which processor?

Nothing new.

This is just so wrong...

Another way of couching it

Should be the death of the Celeron

Login Here

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Related Forum Posts

Most Read

Electronista Marketplace