Intel Patents Anti-Overclocking Technology

VCAGuy writes "It appears that Intel has pantented a crystal-locking technology to lock processors to the processor's clock speed. The Inquirer has a story about it, and you can read the patent description from the USPTO. Let's hope AMD doesn't try to copy this..."

This patent is old

[angle_slam]

It was originally filed in September 1999. Look at some of the language of the patent:

Currently, system clock (operating) speeds of host processors can vary from 66 MHz to about 500 MHz. Host processors may be rated at a particular clock frequency based on their ability to operate without errors. Typically, processor manufacturers may be very conservative when rating such a clock frequency. For example, a processor which successfully operates during tests at 333 MHz may be only intentionally rated (marked) at only 133 MHz, 150 MHz, 166 MHz, 200 MHz or 250 MHz for different market reasons.

IIRC, processor mismarking was a problem during those days, which is probably why the invention was made.

Also, the invention is implemented in the chipsets, not the CPU.

The usual FUD is misplaced then. If Intel is using this technology, they've been using it for as much as 3.5 years.

Re:That's silly

[mrlpz]

You're kidding me, right ? Intel lose "reputation" because of unscrupulous resellers from the far east, or shady local dealers. Who told you to buy your computer from that guy running the pawn shop next to the trailer park, anyway ??

People who overclock their CPU and then send in the CPU for free replacement ? How many people actually TRY to pull that stunt ? Are you nuts ? You think they can't spot some out-of-warranty shennanigans going on ? ( Unless the techs are in serious need of sleep so they can be alert enough to spot things like that. )

Let me clue you in on something spud-boy, Intel doesn't make it's core money from selling CPU's...are you high ? They make their money from licensing technologies AROUND their CPU's. They also make it from embedded systems and other related technologies that spring from the well that is their CPU business.

This patent, and any ploy ( and it IS a ploy ) like it is a move for one thing...money. Period.

What ? You think if you buy that nice little sports car at the dealer and put a supercharger and a NO2 system on that little DOHC 4-cylinder, and blow your rings doing a little drag. And then try putting the engine back as it was, and take it back to the dealer, that the mechanic isn't going to look at it and say, "So, I take it you didn't win your little drag race, huh ? Sorry buddy, out of warranty". Sig: Get in touch with reality, don't bite ME. Bite yourself.

Re: so ? - READ THE ARTICLE first....

[angle_slam]

Maybe I can see about 5-6 years ago this having been a problem, but the fact is that CPU prices have dropped so much and been driven down so "far"( anyone remember when a "NEW" CPU from Intel meant that it's initial retail price was over a $1000...it wasn't that long ago, HELLO ! )

Read the patent. It was filed in 1999, back when the problem was occurring.

Re:curses...foiled again!

[luzrek]

The reason is that noone, except maybe Transmeta, has made any significant headway in making chips run cooler.

Umm...VIA's EDEN processors run pretty cool (3,5, and 6 watts for the different clock speeds, for comparison the coeruso runs draws 6 watts). I recently got one, and while it is rated for only 600 Mhz it compairs quite well performance-wise to my other computers using AMD and Intel chips at higher clockspeeds (including a AMD 2200+). I think the reason why the performance doesn't scale so well with the MHz rating of the chip has to do with how well integrated the chip is with the rest of the system.

On a different topic, increasing the clockspeed (or multiplier) on a chip does have additional effects beyond making the CPU run hotter and faster. It also affects the relative timing of the other components of the system. This is why the first G3 based Apples didn't see a performance increase when their clock speeds were increased beyond 500 MHz, and the Atari 9600 couldn't be increased beyond 8 MHz. If the relative timing of the rest of the computer is cruddy anyway, I can see overclocking making a big difference, but if the rest of the computer is very well timed, I don't see the advantage of overclocking.

My problem is the *patent*

[HarveyBirdman]

It's a freaking frequency counter. I think I might have an old Don Lancaster circuit book from the 1970's that has a similar circuit. I have a Logic 101 book from college that describes a similar method.

Sheesh! They'll be trying to patent the AND gate next.

Re:Stop saying words are made-up

[xsbellx]

From Merriam-Webster:

Pronunciation: im-'pyüt

Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): imputed; imputing
Etymology: Middle English inputen, from Latin imputare, from in- + putare to consider
Date: 14th century
1 : to lay the responsibility or blame for often falsely or unjustly
2 : to credit to a person or a cause

While it was not used correctly in the original sentence, it IS a word.

Yeah, I know, shameless Karma Whore but what the hell.