How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160

SRTDodge05 · 05-10-2008, 01:56 PM

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 work around. 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.

Fudzilla

**k0NG0** · 05-10-2008, 03:43 PM

How nice of them!

**ctal** · 05-10-2008, 03:59 PM

Intel giveth (with the excellent overclockability of their recent cpu's), and Intel taketh away. I wonder how much more expensive the overclockable LGA1366's (and the corresponding motherboards) will be than the LGA1160's.

Regards,
-- Al

**k0NG0** · 05-10-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctal

Intel giveth (with the excellent overclockability of their recent cpu's), and Intel taketh away. I wonder how much more expensive the overclockable LGA1366's (and the corresponding motherboards) will be than the LGA1160's.

Regards,
-- Al

A bunch. From what I've heard, the triple-channel DDR3 CPUs will be called Extreme Edition (since they're Xeons on casual friday).

bajo · 05-10-2008, 09:30 PM

We had it coming.. with a weak amd, intel can bully up on consumers now..

Ronin_abx · 05-11-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajo

We had it coming.. with a weak amd, intel can bully up on consumers now..

And yet people still laugh it up whenever an article is posted telling of AMD's troubles. Looks like the Intel fanboys will get what they deserve. Will they still be laughing when an entry level "enthusiast" platform runs them around $1,300 (rough guess) for just the board and CPU?

Deer Slayer · 05-11-2008, 01:19 AM

I knew Intel would pull this BS eventually. The only way to keep people from overclocking was to move the PLL inside the chip, now that there's no competition, they can jack up prices, and keep people from overclocking. People will buy it, because they don't have a choice.

**k0NG0** · 05-11-2008, 04:45 AM

The Taiwanese mobo wizards are quite handy with a BIOS, though. Remember the i865/i875 PAT deal with a tweaked memory controller and how they unlocked that rather snappily. And how they started exposing (lower) multipliers before anyone knew they were on the chips.

tamarelle · 05-11-2008, 09:18 AM

I'm going to wait for the nehalem to come out and see whats what before I condemn Intel too quickly. So far they have done nothing much wrong for the past 2 or 3 years.

If the vanilla Nehalem is not faster than the Penryn, I cannot imagine people buying them. That will leave people buying either Penryns or AMD except for those with unlimited budgets who can pay thousands for a little more horsepower. If thats the way Intel wants to play it, they will once again begin losing market share as well as the hearts and minds of those recent converts who have finally forgiven Intel for netburst. If Intel forces them back to AMD I doubt there will ever be a second chance for Intel in the hearts and minds of the average enthusiast.

TQ · 05-11-2008, 09:53 AM

Wow...Deer Slayers emoticon looks just like the explosions in Duke Nukem 3D...

XJ. · 05-11-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deer Slayer

I knew Intel would pull this BS eventually. The only way to keep people from overclocking was to move the PLL inside the chip, now that there's no competition, they can jack up prices, and keep people from overclocking. People will buy it, because they don't have a choice.

Yep

**ctal** · 05-12-2008, 05:30 PM

Ed Stroligo of Overclockers.com often has some intelligent commentary on Intel and AMD matters. Here's his take on this, that was published today, which essentially reinforces Tam's comment:

CPU

Regards,
-- Al

*johnrr6* · 05-14-2008, 02:14 PM

Did anybody think this....

Or something like this....

Wasn't going to happen???

Competition is our only savior....

Intel got fat, dumb and stupid right after the huge success of Northwoods....

Lead to Prescotts.....Need I say more....

AMD got fat, dumb and stupid after the huge success of A 64s

Lead to Eratta bugged Phenoms and malaise

Now it's Intel's turn again......a huge success with C2D----and then they stick it down your throat....

Surprising how things never really change----or maybe that is comforting....

TQ · 05-14-2008, 02:44 PM

Sounds like jumping early onto the Nehalem train might be inadvisable. Like any 1.0 technology the bleeding edge is where you can get a nasty cut.
I figure my to-be-built game machine (still waiting for my Vista Bid'ness 64 disk) will last me a good, long time while the market percolates.

05-10-2008, 01:56 PM	#1
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,835	How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 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 work around. 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. Fudzilla __________________
(Offline)

05-10-2008, 03:43 PM	#2
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,750	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 How nice of them! __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

05-10-2008, 03:59 PM	#3
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,903	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 Intel giveth (with the excellent overclockability of their recent cpu's), and Intel taketh away. I wonder how much more expensive the overclockable LGA1366's (and the corresponding motherboards) will be than the LGA1160's. Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

05-10-2008, 09:30 PM	#5
bajo C1eaner Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: TX, USA Posts: 17,254	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 We had it coming.. with a weak amd, intel can bully up on consumers now.. __________________ USA "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." Duke (The Shootist) Gigabyte_AGP_LGA775, PentiumD960_dual core 3.6GHz, SapphireHD3850_AGP512MB_DDR2, WD RaptorX 150GB SATA_clearTop_16MB + Seagate 1TB SATA_32MB, CorsairDominator 2GB 8500_1066MHz, Dell 24" 2408WFP *AGP +DVIx2 +HDMI +DisplayPort +USB2x4, XPproSP3 Inspiron9400 17"uxga CentrinoC2duoT7600_2.39GHz_685MHz 4GB Micron6400@800_675_400MHz GeForceGo7900GSMobileForce_M6Enhanced_256MB 2x500GbSATA_7200rpm_16MBcache Vista hp, VistaP6002_SP2
(Offline)

05-11-2008, 01:19 AM	#7
Deer Slayer Unscanable!!! Tatoo??? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Howell Michigan Posts: 3,847	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 I knew Intel would pull this BS eventually. The only way to keep people from overclocking was to move the PLL inside the chip, now that there's no competition, they can jack up prices, and keep people from overclocking. People will buy it, because they don't have a choice.
(Offline)

05-11-2008, 04:45 AM	#8
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,750	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 The Taiwanese mobo wizards are quite handy with a BIOS, though. Remember the i865/i875 PAT deal with a tweaked memory controller and how they unlocked that rather snappily. And how they started exposing (lower) multipliers before anyone knew they were on the chips. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

05-11-2008, 09:18 AM	#9
tamarelle talented amateur Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Paris, France and Florida Posts: 3,265	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 I'm going to wait for the nehalem to come out and see whats what before I condemn Intel too quickly. So far they have done nothing much wrong for the past 2 or 3 years. If the vanilla Nehalem is not faster than the Penryn, I cannot imagine people buying them. That will leave people buying either Penryns or AMD except for those with unlimited budgets who can pay thousands for a little more horsepower. If thats the way Intel wants to play it, they will once again begin losing market share as well as the hearts and minds of those recent converts who have finally forgiven Intel for netburst. If Intel forces them back to AMD I doubt there will ever be a second chance for Intel in the hearts and minds of the average enthusiast. __________________ Asus P5B Motherboard - Intel Q6600 @ 3.1 ghz ADATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - EVGA 8800 GT PCI - XiFI Platinum - Seagate SATA 320 go, Seagate 320 go - SAMSUNG 18x DL+ Lightscribe DVD and Samsung 20x DL+ Lightscribe DVD - Windows VISTA 64 bit,Server 2003 and Vista Ultimate - Rosewill 19" LCD R912E monitor
(Offline)

05-11-2008, 09:53 AM	#10
TQ You gonna throw that? Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 8,442	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 Wow...Deer Slayers emoticon looks just like the explosions in Duke Nukem 3D... __________________ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me - Psalm 51:10 My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dogs already think I am... Daywalker Studio: Software: Adobe Audition 3.0/Pro Tools LE 7.4/Acid Pro 6.0/Multiple VST, DirectX and RTAS plugins/Kontakt 3 Sampler/Windows XP Professional PC Hardware: D975XBX2-504/E6600/4x2GB Mushkin XP2-6400/eVGA 800GTX/HP f1905 19" flat panel/Echo Audio Gina24 Sound Card/2 Maxtor 6B300SO's/1 Maxtor STM500AS/1 Western Digital WD2500JD/PleXwriter Premium/Plextor 716A/Samsung LightScribe DVD burner/Logitech Revolution MX/Antec P-180b/PPC&C Silencer 610/Zalman CNPS9500 HSF Recording Hardware: Mbox 2 Factory Pro/Mackie SR24.4VLZ Pro Console/M-Audio Axiom 25 MIDI Controller/Audio-Technica 4033a microphone/Symetrix 528E/PreSonus Eureka/Mackie MR8 active monitors Game Machine: Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6/E8400/4x2GB Mushkin XP2-8500/BFG GTX280/HP f2105 21" flat panel/Creative Labs X-Fi Elite Pro/Maxtor 6H500F0/Maxtor STM3320/Western Digital WD4000KD/Plextor 760A/Toshiba DVD-ROM/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec P-180/PPC&C Silencer 610/Ideazon Merc Stealth keyboard/Vista Business64 SP1
(Offline)

05-12-2008, 05:30 PM	#12
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,903	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 Ed Stroligo of Overclockers.com often has some intelligent commentary on Intel and AMD matters. Here's his take on this, that was published today, which essentially reinforces Tam's comment: CPU Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

05-14-2008, 02:14 PM	#13
johnrr6 Lucky Amateur Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,934	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 Did anybody think this.... Or something like this.... Wasn't going to happen??? Competition is our only savior.... Intel got fat, dumb and stupid right after the huge success of Northwoods.... Lead to Prescotts.....Need I say more.... AMD got fat, dumb and stupid after the huge success of A 64s Lead to Eratta bugged Phenoms and malaise Now it's Intel's turn again......a huge success with C2D----and then they stick it down your throat.... Surprising how things never really change----or maybe that is comforting.... __________________ i7 920 @ 3.5 Ghz Win 7 Ultimate Edition 64 Bit Asus P6T Deluxe, BIOS 1701 Vigor Monsoon III LT 6 x 2 Gig Mushkin PC12800 ATI HD 4870 X2 2 x 500 Gig Seagate SATA II HDs in RAID 0 Samsung SATA TruDirect DVD Burner w/Lightscribe Seasonic 600W PSU Creative X-Fi Titanium sound Lian Li AO5B Black Case Hauppage 1800 TV Card
(Offline)

05-14-2008, 02:44 PM	#14
TQ You gonna throw that? Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 8,442	Re: How Intel did the overclock lock on LGA1160 Sounds like jumping early onto the Nehalem train might be inadvisable. Like any 1.0 technology the bleeding edge is where you can get a nasty cut. I figure my to-be-built game machine (still waiting for my Vista Bid'ness 64 disk) will last me a good, long time while the market percolates. __________________ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me - Psalm 51:10 My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dogs already think I am... Daywalker Studio: Software: Adobe Audition 3.0/Pro Tools LE 7.4/Acid Pro 6.0/Multiple VST, DirectX and RTAS plugins/Kontakt 3 Sampler/Windows XP Professional PC Hardware: D975XBX2-504/E6600/4x2GB Mushkin XP2-6400/eVGA 800GTX/HP f1905 19" flat panel/Echo Audio Gina24 Sound Card/2 Maxtor 6B300SO's/1 Maxtor STM500AS/1 Western Digital WD2500JD/PleXwriter Premium/Plextor 716A/Samsung LightScribe DVD burner/Logitech Revolution MX/Antec P-180b/PPC&C Silencer 610/Zalman CNPS9500 HSF Recording Hardware: Mbox 2 Factory Pro/Mackie SR24.4VLZ Pro Console/M-Audio Axiom 25 MIDI Controller/Audio-Technica 4033a microphone/Symetrix 528E/PreSonus Eureka/Mackie MR8 active monitors Game Machine: Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6/E8400/4x2GB Mushkin XP2-8500/BFG GTX280/HP f2105 21" flat panel/Creative Labs X-Fi Elite Pro/Maxtor 6H500F0/Maxtor STM3320/Western Digital WD4000KD/Plextor 760A/Toshiba DVD-ROM/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec P-180/PPC&C Silencer 610/Ideazon Merc Stealth keyboard/Vista Business64 SP1
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode