Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

This is the place to discuss the latest computer hardware issues and technology. Please keep the discussion ON TOPIC!
Post Reply
User avatar
Methious
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 893
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:39 am
Location: Joplin Mo.

Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by Methious »

Looks like info on the LGA 1160 processors being locked is starting to leak.

Source: http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?optio ... 5&Itemid=1


No easy workaround

As we told you some time ago, Intel has put in what can only be called an overclocking lock in the upcoming LGA1160 processors which are currently going under the codenames of Lynnfield and Havendale.

Until now, we didn't know how this had been implemented, but we've learned some more about it and it looks like there is no easy workaround. As these processors have the memory controller and a few more bits integrated into the CPU itself, Intel suddenly has a lot more control than it has had with past designs that utilized a separate chipset which contains the memory controller.

As Intel seems to want to push the much more expensive Bloomfield platform to overclockers, the company implemented a lock that prevents these new processors from being overclocked by adding two PLL clock generators, one inside the CPU itself and one in the PCH.

This might not sound like it's a big problem in itself, but what Intel has done is that these two will clock generators will reference each other; and this means that just changing the bus speed won't have any effect if you're trying to overclock the CPU as it will dissregard the information from the PCH if it's not a correct value.

There might still be options for overclocking these CPU's, but our understanding is that this isn't easily done and Intel doesn't want it to be, and as such Intel is unlikely to give out this information to third-party motherboard manufacturers.

The sum of all this is that Intel might lose out a few enthusiast users that don't have deep enough pockets to get a Bloomfield system to AMD, which might not be a bad thing for AMD in the end.
Image
User avatar
martini161
Mr Awesome
Mr Awesome
Posts: 3183
Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:27 pm
Location: Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Re: Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by martini161 »

well its not like the old FSB chips are going to be obsolete right away, so thats what im going to be sticking with
Sovereign
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 1045
Joined: Sun May 08, 2005 5:28 pm

Re: Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by Sovereign »

I hope Fudzilla's wrong on this one. If they do that, CPUs like the Q6600 won't exist anymore (budget, overclocks like hell) and Intel will be doing themselves a disservice unless the "enthusiast" CPUs are EXTREMELY well worth their inflated cost.
Play
Q6600 @ 3.2GHz :: 8GB DDR2-800 :: eVGA 9800GX2 :: 7900GTX (secondary) :: abit IP35 Pro :: 150GB Raptor 10k RPM :: 2x750GB WD Caviar :: 120GB WD :: X-Fi XtremeMusic :: NEC 4551A :: BenQ DVD Combodrive (52x32x52) :: Dual 22" Acer AL2216W :: Thermaltake Armor Black :: Logitech Z5500 5.1

Work
Core 2 Duo @ 2.53GHz :: 4GB DDR3 @ 1067MHz :: 3670 :: Intel PM45 Chipset :: 500GB 5400RPM SATA :: Integrated Audio :: BD-ROM/DVD Burner :: 16" 1920x1080 RGBLED
User avatar
dicecca112
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 5014
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2004 10:40 am
Contact:

Re: Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by dicecca112 »

Theses rumors popped up just the same when AMD implemented "FSB" on chip, just like Intel is doing. All this is really saying, is Fudzilla is never right, and you won't be able to OC on Intel boards, like always, and a third party company probably Asus will find a way to OC these chips
Image
User avatar
Methious
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 893
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:39 am
Location: Joplin Mo.

Re: Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by Methious »

I hope Fudzilla is wrong, after 10 years of struggling to get 300Mhz more out of AMDs then have Intel yank the good OC capabilities I've come to enjoy that just wouldn't be right.

I'm probably getting a faster FSB chip 45nm type this year, but instead of selling the q6600 I might shelf it.
Image
User avatar
DMB2000uk
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 7095
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:36 pm
Location: UK

Re: Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by DMB2000uk »

Looks like it would be a good idea to get 45nm quads and not upgrade till the 'kinks' have been sorted out with LGA 1160.

Dan
Image (<- Clickable)
User avatar
dicecca112
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 5014
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2004 10:40 am
Contact:

Re: Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by dicecca112 »

DMB2000uk wrote:Looks like it would be a good idea to get 45nm quads and not upgrade till the 'kinks' have been sorted out with LGA 1160.

Dan
Well you never want to be a first adaptor, let the kinks get worked out like you said, prices come down, then jump on. Unless you have the money and patience
Image
User avatar
martini161
Mr Awesome
Mr Awesome
Posts: 3183
Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:27 pm
Location: Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Re: Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by martini161 »

dicecca112 wrote:
DMB2000uk wrote:Looks like it would be a good idea to get 45nm quads and not upgrade till the 'kinks' have been sorted out with LGA 1160.

Dan
Well you never want to be a first adaptor, let the kinks get worked out like you said, prices come down, then jump on. Unless you have the money and patience
what you guys are saying is like the exact echo of what i said in this thread 8) http://forums.legitreviews.com/about15325.html
User avatar
DMB2000uk
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 7095
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:36 pm
Location: UK

Re: Looks Like Intel Is Locking LGA 1160 Mainstreams

Post by DMB2000uk »

Well you know it must be a good idea then :P

Dan
Image (<- Clickable)
Post Reply