The "Intel Upgrade Service"

[Dankk]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/the-intel-upgrade-service-once-again-charging-you-50-to-do-stu/

How do you guys feel about this?

 

[frostedflakes]

Never really understood the fuss about it.

 

[996GT2]

Doesn't apply to most people on AT since enthusiasts don't usually buy such low-end CPUs

 

[jhu]

IBM does it. Why can't Intel?

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Doesn't apply to most people on AT since enthusiasts don't usually buy such low-end CPUs

No, but a lot of us build low-end systems for acquaintances, friends, relatives, and customers. I very, very rarely use Intel CPUs in budget builds; AMD's chips are fast enough for basic usage and they're less expensive.

I dislike this idea. Auto-update software could potentially erroneously disengage the upgraded performance. It could require phoning home, so what happens if you lose your internet connection?

 

[notty22]

Here is the FAQ, it seems to be a permanent change to the motherboard bios, that most likely raises the multiplier and in some cases, turns on hyperthreading.
https://retailupgrades.intel.com/FAQ.aspx

 

[whatdidyousayman]

I don't like this, because it takes advantage of idiots... wait...

 

[gevorg]

There is nothing wrong with this. They do exactly the same thing with hardware chips by pre-programming it with speed, features, and even cores that matches a given price range. Plus, its much easier for users to upgrade by software than by physically replacing CPU.

Only a communist would think that they should initially set the speed to the maximum possible.

 

[Dankk]

So how long will it be before people will begin to hack the thing on their own to unlock the additional power, and bypass paying for it?

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Here is the FAQ, it seems to be a permanent change to the motherboard bios, that most likely raises the multiplier and in some cases, turns on hyperthreading.
https://retailupgrades.intel.com/FAQ.aspx

Then that addresses the two concerns I mentioned. Unfortunately, it raises another issue: the CPU can't be separated from the motherboard. What if the board dies? What if just the BIOS goes bad? What if you want to upgrade the board?

 

[frostedflakes]

Then that addresses the two concerns I mentioned. Unfortunately, it raises another issue: the CPU can't be separated from the motherboard. What if the board dies? What if just the BIOS goes bad? What if you want to upgrade the board?

Most of those aren't valid concerns IMO, considering the kind of people would would buy a CPU upgrade code probably aren't going to be digging around inside the system to replace the CPU or motherboard. In the event the board dies or something like that, I'd hope that when you sent it back in for repair or replacement, the OEM or Intel or someone would make sure the upgrade you paid for can be activated on the new board as well.

 

[wuliheron]

Reminds me of AMD's hybrid crossfire. Essentially something the marketing assholes decided to use to rip off ignorant and desperate consumers for $50.oo.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Most of those aren't valid concerns IMO, considering the kind of people would would buy a CPU upgrade code probably aren't going to be digging around inside the system to replace the CPU or motherboard. In the event the board dies or something like that, I'd hope that when you sent it back in for repair or replacement, the OEM or Intel or someone would make sure the upgrade you paid for can be activated on the new board as well.

No, but a lot of us build low-end systems for acquaintances, friends, relatives, and customers.

I'd rather have $50 securely in my pocket than hoping Intel or the OEM will re-activate my upgrade.

Bottom line is that if this is aimed at convincing a system builder like me to use Intel rather than AMD CPUs on the low end of the budget range, it misses the target in my mind.

 

[frostedflakes]

I'd rather have $50 securely in my pocket than hoping Intel or the OEM will re-activate my upgrade.

Bottom line is that if this is aimed at convincing a system builder like me to use Intel rather than AMD CPUs on the low end of the budget range, it misses the target in my mind.

These codes are only available for CPUs sold to OEMs, not CPUs sold through retail channels that end users can build systems with.

And if anything I'd think this would make Intel more appealing than AMD for low end systems. With AMD if you want to upgrade you'd have to spend more money on a new CPU and then install it yourself or pay someone to install it (more likely for your average user). I think what Intel is offering is a nice option for some people, though. They can buy a cheaper system now and then upgrade the CPU for relatively little money later on if they find themselves needing more power. Or they could do it the conventional way and just buy a new CPU, but having more upgrade options is never a bad thing IMO.

 

[yottabit]

Probably cheaper than getting the upgrade option from dell/hp/etc

 

[Gigantopithecus]

These codes are only available for CPUs sold to OEMs, not CPUs sold through retail channels that end users can build systems with.

And if anything I'd think this would make Intel more appealing than AMD for low end systems. With AMD if you want to upgrade you'd have to spend more money on a new CPU and then install it yourself or pay someone to install it (more likely for your average user). I think what Intel is offering is a nice option for some people, though. They can buy a cheaper system now and then upgrade the CPU relatively cheaply later on if they find themselves needing more power. Or they could do it the conventional way and just get a faster CPU, but having more upgrade options is never a bad thing IMO.

Ah, I see. In the context of HPs, Dells, or whatever low-end desktops, then yes, this is a good idea because it's one more upgrade option.

 

[soccerballtux]

Ah, I see. In the context of HPs, Dells, or whatever low-end desktops, then yes, this is a good idea because it's one more upgrade option.

then all the people who need more ram, and the ones who need to uninstall all their IE toolbars and 20 virus scan programs set to scan on each and every bootup, can buy this upgrade and wonder why their pc isn't faster!!!

 

[Gigantopithecus]

then all the people who need more ram, and the ones who need to uninstall all their IE toolbars and 20 virus scan programs set to scan on each and every bootup, can buy this upgrade and wonder why their pc isn't faster!!!

lol. Touche.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

some people dont play games and they keep their machines for several years. for those folks this might be a good alternative to building a whole new machine. one of my machines is a pentium 6300. if i could pay $50 to upgrade it to a pentium 6800 i would definitely do that

 

[StrangerGuy]

some people dont play games and they keep their machines for several years. for those folks this might be a good alternative to building a whole new machine. one of my machines is a pentium 6300. if i could pay $50 to upgrade it to a pentium 6800 i would definitely do that

Oh, you honestly think an extra 200MHz is going to make a 5-year old chip not suck?

 

[wuliheron]

Oh, you honestly think an extra 200MHz is going to make a 5-year old chip not suck?

Don't you know with just that extra 200mhz they can cure cancer and balance the budget at the same time.