Intel to charge for software unlocks

[Drakonis]

How long before someone hacks it?

Intel has released a new processor that can be upgraded using a piece of software. The new Intel Pentium G6951 dual core processor has 4MB of L3 cache but only 3MB of that are usable. The other 1MB as well as HyperThreading can be unlocked through the use of an activation code

[StarBound]

Greed Inside?

WTF is wrong with the world when people sell a fit lively kid as a cripple and offers to take the chains off him if you would simply pay more?

[Hman]

OMFG. That's stupid.

[doo_much]

Drakonis said it all...

"How long before someone hacks it?"

[rustypup]

Intel® Upgrade Service1 enables down-the-wire upgrades of PC platform capabilities after the initial hardware shipment, offering unprecedented flexibility to resellers.

... so, they're following the trend started by mickeysoft, then perfected by every MMO out there...

it's a suckers market out there... everyone pat the next one you meet...

[reyals]

well, it would probably be cheaper for them to create all the chips the same, yet still keep all the markets, be it entry level or high end. but someone will hack it nonetheless, and then never mind software, pirated hardware will be the new black
how different is this from you being able to download trial software, but only get the full version when you enter the serial?
ethically, its debatable, but from a business perspective yeah its good.
you pay x amount for entry level cpu, and you pay more for a better one.
only now, to upgrade, you don't have to go through installation, and your upgrade will be cheaper.(or even free, if you are a horrible, porn-watching-living-in-your-moms-basement-pirate)

[Nuke]

Its actually not so new idea. Infinet, Proxim, Wavion all does it on their network products. Eg on Wavion you can buy a SDMA upgrade almost doubling your AP's throughput.

[KALSTER]

I don't think it is such a bad idea (assuming it would be hard to crack). I would personally be interested in the possibility of upgrading by simply paying for a piece of software instead of buying a whole new CPU. Its like if AMD made guaranteed unlockable X2 and X3 CPU's where you pay extra when you want to do it. A good idea actually I'd say (depending on the pricing).

[StarBound]

You will see a headline like this: "Hardware pirates are killing the pc component industry by stealing more performance out of their cpus.".

[Anakha56]

Cheers Intel you will not see a single cent of my money if this gets implemented. Already their procs are heavily priced now they want to add this on top? Screw that, I never used to be a fanboi but now I am firmly in AMD's court...

Intel new slogan: "Intel, Greed completes us"
AMD new slogan: "AMD, The peoples choice"