Intel Launches Performance Tuning Protection Plan On Select Processors

[Ferzerp]

You don't have to show ownership. They give you a code, and instruct you to use it if you make a claim.

I would imagine you do have to give the proc serial number with the purchase to tie it to a specific proc though.

 

[badb0y]

Looks like someone is going for 5 ghz

 

[Subyman]

Haha, Intel is just cashing in on "enthusiasts." They RMA dead OC'ed chips all the time. Unless you have cyro burns on the heatspreader or your chip melted, I doubt they know you OC'ed your chip or upped the voltage.

 

[Diogenes2]

I would imagine you do have to give the proc serial number with the purchase to tie it to a specific proc though.

Not the case. You just submit your purchase code for the protection plan when you request an RMA ..
I just purchased a plan, and there was no request for a serial number or any other proof of purchase.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Not the case. You just submit your purchase code for the protection plan when you request an RMA ..
I just purchased a plan, and there was no request for a serial number or any other proof of purchase.

But I thought that the Performance whatever plan only lasted for as long as the normal 3-year warranty. So therefore, when you do submit the RMA, and include the code for the P plan, they will still want to see your box, or at least the serial/batch number, so that they can calculate the date properly, to see if you are still in warranty.

 

[Diogenes2]

I suppose they will go by the serial number on the CPU ..

How does an RMA work now?

The only difference, is that you will have the code, that verifies you purchased the plan ..

 

[ehume]

I wonder if this is Intel's way of getting more sales out of their Sandy Bridge line?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Given that Intel is offering this, would it be reasonable, to crank your 2500K/2600K/2700K to 1.5v, and 5+ Ghz, and then when it blows, if it does before three years is up, then RMA to Intel, and then take the RMA replacement and sell it, and buy whatever newer CPU is then available?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

The "exclusions to coverage" are virtually identical to the "extent of limited warranty" already in place for retail versions of these CPU's. The general website description that Intel is posing for this plan differs significantly from the actual terms and conditions. They are basically encouraging folks to crank it up but the fine print says they can deny the claim. It will be interesting to hear how well this works out for the folks who sacrifice their chip to the Overclock Gods then pray for an Intel mage to cast a resurrection spell.

 

[Grooveriding]

The "exclusions to coverage" are virtually identical to the "extent of limited warranty" already in place for retail versions of these CPU's. The general website description that Intel is posing for this plan differs significantly from the actual terms and conditions. They are basically encouraging folks to crank it up but the fine print says they can deny the claim. It will be interesting to hear how well this works out for the folks who sacrifice their chip to the Overclock Gods then pray for an Intel mage to cast a resurrection spell.

I read all the fine print thorougly. It allows exactly what I was hoping it would - death by over-volting and overclocking is covered under warranty now. It doesn't cover modifying the chip or water-cooling leaks etc.

 

[StrangerGuy]

How would they know besides those chips fried by XTREME!!! overclocking? *wink*

 

[grkM3]

exactly...why pay when they will rma a dead cpu anyways.

If you feed 1.7 volts and push for 7ghz and burn it up there is no way for them to know and will give you a new one

all you have to say is when the lady asks you if you ever overclocked your cpu is whats that?

besides with the amount of sandys sold and the crazzy people out there pushing these things they are taking a beating and lasting so far.

Intel figures most people cant cool a chip enough to run 1.5 volts in it and wont push them that hard in the first place.

I can see chips lasting well over 3 years at 1.4 volts with proper cooling

 

[Grooveriding]

I wouldn't RMA my CPU if I killed it doing something not covered by warranty. Money grab or not, and of course their hope is to turn a profit not a loss, this allows me to RMA my CPU if I kill it overclocking.

Maybe they did this hoping the people who do RMA chips they destroyed will pay this fee to clear their conscience. lol.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Maybe they did this hoping the people who do RMA chips they destroyed will pay this fee to clear their conscience. lol.

From the description on Intel's site, this sounds like it is intended to encourage overclocking, among the mainstream population. Most people (non-overclockers), only hear "bad things" about overclocking. About how some friend's cousin's crazy uncle tried overclocking once, and burned out their computer.

If Intel can move more of their market upwards, towards overclocking-friendly CPUs, and mobos/chipsets, then they can get more customers to pay their "overclocking tax", and make bigger profits.

 

[thilanliyan]

and make bigger profits.

Just what AMD needs...Intel with moar profits.

 

[The Sauce]

So here's a few thoughts:

1. Why buy the warantee now? Overclock as mad as you want and buy it only if the proc dies. Why take the chance that it may NOT die?

2. Get your replacement, Ebay it, buy a new proc and a new warrantee. Immediately bypass the "no second replacement" stipulation.

3. I forsee unscrupulous overclockers getting a bad chip, intentionally killing it and betting on a replacement being a better overclocker.

In conclusion, this won't last long.

 

[The Sauce]

Looks like someone is going for 5 ghz

This^

 

[Phynaz]

If you feed 1.7 volts and push for 7ghz and burn it up there is no way for them to know and will give you a new one

You are incorrect on this point. With the proper test equipment it's easy to know if a chip cooked due to over-voltage.

 

[Bman123]

Intel is stupid and they are throwing money away with this shit. They know damn well people are going to go voltage crazy on the chips now.

 

[jimpatrick]

i really wish this service would be worldwide

 

[VirtualLarry]

In other news, Intel ships twice as many CPUs to the enthusiast DIY market; ASPs drop to half.

 

[Diogenes2]

Intel is stupid and they are throwing money away with this shit. They know damn well people are going to go voltage crazy on the chips now.

Well, we know Intel is not stupid..
Any other ideas about why they are doing this ?

 

[Grooveriding]

i really wish this service would be worldwide

It almost is worldwide. From the FAQ:

Q20.) Are there any countries where the Plan is not for sale?
A20.) Yes, there are several countries where the Plan cannot, for legal reasons, be sold. These countries are Burma (Myanmar), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.

 

[Grooveriding]

So here's a few thoughts:

1. Why buy the warantee now? Overclock as mad as you want and buy it only if the proc dies. Why take the chance that it may NOT die?

2. Get your replacement, Ebay it, buy a new proc and a new warrantee. Immediately bypass the "no second replacement" stipulation.

3. I forsee unscrupulous overclockers getting a bad chip, intentionally killing it and betting on a replacement being a better overclocker.

In conclusion, this won't last long.

I was wondering this as well. If my chip died I would have no qualms about selling the replacement and buying a new retail chip. There is nothing wrong with doing that. Intentionally killing your chip to keep recycling this way for a good one is pretty sad though.

Just how easy would it be to intentionally burn out a CPU anyways ? Would there be any chance of killing your motherboard at the same time in the process ?

 

[Keysplayr]

Gives you and idea how much it might cost Intel to make each of these chips. Not a whole lot after R&D is paid off. I'm certain Intels number crunchers did their calculations and came to the decision that the rate of failure of their CPU's is so low, and that there are so many protection "devices" in those CPUs, and how many of our billions of customers actually overclock their CPU's, that this might be an excellent way of lining their coffers with even more of our money. Sounds like a small amount, doesn't it? 20-35? Having said all that crud, it is pretty cool that an overclocker can do this.
Just like to make it clear that any given person can only utilize this feature ONCE. ONE processor replacement and the service is ended. Your regular warranty is still in place of course.