Intel's Haswell May Be Last Interchangeable Desktop CPU?

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I think this will only apply to OEMs. OEM PCs used to have stickers covering the case lid, stating if this seal is broken, you are now out of warranty. So don't open up your PC and do anything to it. It's easier to guarantee life and performance if its not tinkered with.

Then you had these same OEM companies wanting to sell Do-It-Yourself RAM upgrades and you had to break that seal. Somehow magically though, because you bought RAM from say, Gateway, and installed that RAM yourself, you wouldn't void your warranty even though you just broke a seal that said you would be.

Now that you're "covered", despite breaking the seal, you decide to add a new AGP video card, or maybe you popped in two voodoo pci cards for some sli action. Something bad happens, you remove your extra cards, and send it off to Gateway for a warranty repair that wasn't really covered, but they can't tell, since you did buy that RAM upgrade from them, so you had permission to break the seal.

If that's the case, and this is aimed at OEMs, I don't mind one bit. Anyone purchasing an OEM pre-built computer has certain expectations, like a solid warranty, and that the system just works. So that's fine.

Hopefully, they'd still have the option to either build their own custom computer, or pay someone to do it for them. Hopefully.

Edit: The reason I wouldn't mind if this were an only OEM move, is because many customers may end up with a bad taste in their mouth from dealing with this type of product, and actually be led straight to us, who will happily build them the custom PC of their dreams. If it all worked out that way, it'd be pretty nice. :)
 
This shouldn't be a real concern to most consumers. Remember when Intel took the Pentium II to a slot based form factor? How long did that last? Worst case we have a botched generation. No big deal as most if not all of us can skip a CPU generation. Consider today a SB i5-2500k is more than enough for just about everything and that thing is almost 2 years old, and still has lots of life left in it.

So even if Intel releases a soldered cpu, they will learn from their mistake within a year and move back to a socketed CPU.
 
look this from Intel side:
The mainboard producers will became and intel cpu sellers. Intel is going down with shipping costs.
1. For every motherboard, there will be CPU (more cpu's sold=lower price/cpu)
2. You got max stability for the given combination of cpu/mainboard, and maybe ram?
3. CPUs price will be lowered because of lower shipment costs
Take example from AMDs E350 cpu. You buy mainboard with cpu+gpu... for less then 70 eur with all you need you got extra capable entertainment machine (only games are eXcluded!)
 
What I don't like this is that it reminds me of something else that Intel wanted to do: pay-to-upgrade. You might remember the news about Intel wanting to get you to pay to upgrade your CPU clock speed by e.g. 100 MHz. So they sell one SKU to MB makers - something like a 3570 but locked at 3450 speeds - and then you pay more to Intel to get upgrade codes to get faster clocks, better iGPU, hyperthreading, AES-NI, whatever. I don't like this because since you are forced into buying the cobbled 3570 originally rather than being able to buy one outright, Intel can set the price on those CPU feature upgrades much higher than they can today. Also, given disabled components due to flaws, there's no guarantee that the cobbled 3570 will be able to upgrade all the way back to full-blown 3570 features - and I doubt the MB manufs will tell you what upgrade features are available.

The mainstreamers won't notice and hence won't care. The enthusiasts will get screwed. And in the mean time, Intel will continue eating AMD's lunch as their own appetizer, because the low-cost benefit of not having to mount a CPU socket on a MB will enable all Intel MBs to be reduced in price by some amount, and the reduced SKU count will lower Intel's costs even further. No, I do not like this.

In other news, Intel has lobbied congress to modify DMCA to include "encryption-protected hardware feature locks", stating that the locks are copyrighted and encryption protected, so cracking them constitutes a DMCA violation.
 
wouldnt oems still be able to buy boards from manufactures and then they could soldier whatever cpu the customer ordered? im sure oems wouldnt be thrilled but at least then the motherboard companies and the oem wouldnt need to stock every variation.
 
Bottom-line - If true ... Intel Sucks!!! I hope it's not true at least for OC CPU's, the mere thought of getting an Intel or similar lame MOBO makes me weak in the knees!

Crap, will there even be an unlocked Broadwell CPU?!?

OMG - PANIC MODE!!!
 
[citation][nom]jaquith[/nom]Bottom-line - If true ... Intel Sucks!!! I hope it's not true at least for OC CPU's, the mere thought of getting an Intel or similar lame MOBO makes me weak in the knees! Crap, will there even be an unlocked Broadwell CPU?!?OMG - PANIC MODE!!![/citation]
I think your socket 2011 rig will last longer than this supposed model/system/arrangement will. :)
 
Honestly this makes a lot of sense to me. When you think about it, most motherboards are intended for use with one or two different cpus anyway. For example, Asus has 52 different lga 1155 mobos listed on newegg. If you broke that down:

The Maximus/Premium/Sabertooth Mobos go with Core i7-3770K
Pretty much everything else goes with a Core i5-3570K
Mini-Itx boards go with Core i3-3240

There's only a $20 price difference between the k and the regular versions. The cost savings for going bga would probably more than make up for that.

Yeah, you can't upgrade the cpu, but there aren't a ton of people that do that anyway. Especially considering how little difference that matters say as opposed to what video card you buy.

It might actually help the hobbyist builder market. Attaching a CPU and doing the fan/paste thing is one of the most daunting steps in building a pc. Anything to make it easier will help. This is intel admitting that cpus are more or less a commodity, which they are.

Now, limiting the ram or pci-e slots would be a big deal.
 
If true then Intel is really just getting out of the retail packaging business. Motherboards will come preinstalled with the CPU for DIY. If this doesn't effect my choice of CPU to much than sounds fine.
 
Good thing about BGA is that the I/Os are soldered down, which gives higher performance due to lower contact impedance. And BGA has lower thermal resistance between the package and the PCBoard. So cpu with BGA could take advantage of the mother board in terms of heat sink design. Has anyone thought about extracting heat from both sides of the cpu?
 
[citation][nom]MagicPants[/nom]It might actually help the hobbyist builder market. Attaching a CPU and doing the fan/paste thing is one of the most daunting steps in building a pc.[/citation]
It might be daunting the first time, but come on. :)

Besides, I recently got a family member's desktop working again by removing, cleaning, and reseating a heat sink (bad paste? too much gunk on heatsink? who knows; it works now). Hopefully Intel et al. will at least have the sense to make the heatsink removable/replaceable.

What would be worse than having to throw away a CPU because something on the motherboard died? Having to throw away a CPU and a motherboard because a fan went or the thermal paste broke down. The more pieces you can separate out on a system, the more likely you can fix a problem when it comes up.
 
Stupid article , here's why

1. i don't ever see it happening

2. even if intel did this doesn't mean AMD would. so the article title is retarded , because it would NOT be the last interchangable cpu just the last intergchangable one from intel.

3. if intel did this , they'd sign their own death warrant with the enthusiast crowd , every enthusiast that is a DIYer would flock to AMD , intel stock would plumet and AMD would soar.

4., I just don't see this ever happening. the risk of market loss would far outway the benifits of making this move. i doubt intel is this stupid.They are one of the greediest tech companies around, they'd not want to lose the kind of money this move would lose.
 
[citation][nom]CMI86[/nom]And Intel moves in for the choke hold... Without AMD providing at least somewhat competitive viable options on the high end intel is going to destroy the enthusiast market my jacking up prices and doing away with customization and freedom of choice. Intel makes nice chips but their business practices are a-typical.[/citation]

more like intel is gonna go for a choke hold one them selves.

[citation][nom]MagicPants[/nom]Honestly this makes a lot of sense to me. When you think about it, most motherboards are intended for use with one or two different cpus anyway. For example, Asus has 52 different lga 1155 mobos listed on newegg. If you broke that down:The Maximus/Premium/Sabertooth Mobos go with Core i7-3770KPretty much everything else goes with a Core i5-3570KMini-Itx boards go with Core i3-3240There's only a $20 price difference between the k and the regular versions. The cost savings for going bga would probably more than make up for that.Yeah, you can't upgrade the cpu, but there aren't a ton of people that do that anyway. Especially considering how little difference that matters say as opposed to what video card you buy.It might actually help the hobbyist builder market. Attaching a CPU and doing the fan/paste thing is one of the most daunting steps in building a pc. Anything to make it easier will help. This is intel admitting that cpus are more or less a commodity, which they are.Now, limiting the ram or pci-e slots would be a big deal.[/citation]


you'd be amazed at what some cpu upgrades can do performance wise, i recently upgraded an old athy 64 X2 that was overclocked to 3 ghz , i upgarded to a phenom 9650 quad core that is at stock speed of 2.3 ghz , and i got a massive booste in most teh games i play saints row three went from an unplayable slide show at 5-12 fps up to a very playable 35-45 fps sky rim went from an avaerage frame rate of 22-35 up to an average frame rate of 45-55 crysis 1 i went from running in low spect at 24-32 fps , to runing it at high spec at 31 to 43 fps.

you'd be amazed at what a little cpu upgrade can do , so this move makes NO sense assuming intel is really going to do this . what ever the case , i'll stick with AMD for the bang for buck unless they also decide to gimp their cpu production line, then maybe i'll give up on pcs as a gaming platform.
 
[citation][nom]MagicPants[/nom]Honestly this makes a lot of sense to me. When you think about it, most motherboards are intended for use with one or two different cpus anyway. For example, Asus has 52 different lga 1155 mobos listed on newegg. If you broke that down:The Maximus/Premium/Sabertooth Mobos go with Core i7-3770KPretty much everything else goes with a Core i5-3570KMini-Itx boards go with Core i3-3240There's only a $20 price difference between the k and the regular versions. The cost savings for going bga would probably more than make up for that.Yeah, you can't upgrade the cpu, but there aren't a ton of people that do that anyway. Especially considering how little difference that matters say as opposed to what video card you buy.It might actually help the hobbyist builder market. Attaching a CPU and doing the fan/paste thing is one of the most daunting steps in building a pc. Anything to make it easier will help. This is intel admitting that cpus are more or less a commodity, which they are.Now, limiting the ram or pci-e slots would be a big deal.[/citation]

There are millions of different reasons why the builder wants the big selsection of mobos to choose from.

First, overclocking. You want too choose the best price/performance combination of cpu/mobo. Not be given one pricey combo that you yourself wouldn't have choosen.

There are considerations with cooling options and space.
Maybe you have a combination of fans, gpu;s etc that simply won't fit for a certain mobo/cpu.

Maybe you want a middle of the road motherboard when it comes to functions/ports etc but with premium overclockability/tweakability(bios). LIke my Asus z68 pro motherboard which I bought together with a 2600k 1.5 year ago, which probably wouldn't have been the choice I would have been given (a much more expensive motherboard probably with lots of things I never needed).

Maybe you are a gamer that want to buy the best Sli/crossfire option but do NOT want to buy an expensive Cpu. What if these mobo/cpu/sli combos didn't exist.

Combine all the above mentioned things (and there are lots of others I haven't mentioned) and you can see that you want the most flexible modular choice possible, integration is the biggest hindrance in that case!

It won't make things cheaper either. Less competition means higher price in the long run.
 
I could see this happening in some of the lower end chips (pentium, i3's) but never in the mid-high range products (i5, i7). They would be losing the market altogether.
 
When i build my rigs i build them proper, i never replace or upgrade my cpu -- when its time to upgrade i replace the entire system - why do i want to use a good new processor with a crappy old motherboard?

This change means nothing to me if true
 
[citation][nom]bigpoppastuke[/nom]I could see this happening in some of the lower end chips (pentium, i3's) but never in the mid-high range products (i5, i7). They would be losing the market altogether.[/citation]
Uhh, losing the market to whom? Is there some other high-performance CPU manufacturer waiting in the wings for Intel to stumble? AMD seems to be getting ready to fold completely, and who else is there? ARM is going to explode into the (shrinking) performance PC market? It's more like the other way around, with Intel trying to get into the low-power stuff.

I have no opinion as to whether this rumor will turn out to be true, but if it does, we'll all go along with whatever Intel decides to do. Because we like fast PCs, and we'll have no other choice.
 
[citation][nom]yeesh[/nom]Uhh, losing the market to whom? Is there some other high-performance CPU manufacturer waiting in the wings for Intel to stumble? AMD seems to be getting ready to fold completely, and who else is there? ARM is going to explode into the (shrinking) performance PC market? It's more like the other way around, with Intel trying to get into the low-power stuff.I have no opinion as to whether this rumor will turn out to be true, but if it does, we'll all go along with whatever Intel decides to do. Because we like fast PCs, and we'll have no other choice.[/citation]


amd is NOT ready to fold . to think that is to say "hey I'm stoo-pid".

1. amd's cpu's are competitive on the middle end (where most pc gamer's budget's falls)

2. AMD still owns ATI , even if they lose money in the cpu market they can soak those loses simply because of their GPU buisness , 2 outta 3 next gen consoles feature ATI/AMD gpu's that spells a ton of money and market penetration , especialy since those GPU's are gonna be older custom generation gpu's and not newer customs , in other word's amd will not lose money on them as the case with most console sales.

3. lastly keep in mind AMD HAS BEAT INTEL BEFORE, in the high end cpu market. to act like .. "umm who is gonna beat intel" . just makes you sound like a fanboy that is ready to eat and lick intel's stink


ps i'm not an AMD fanboy , i use what ever gives me the best bang for the buck, some computers i go intel some i go amd on. I just couldn't sit by while you posted such a fanboy post yourself.
 
[citation][nom]apache_lives[/nom]When i build my rigs i build them proper, i never replace or upgrade my cpu -- when its time to upgrade i replace the entire system - why do i want to use a good new processor with a crappy old motherboard?This change means nothing to me if true[/citation]

you just sound like an A--hole here ... not every one has money to buy a whole new computer , that is the point of interchangable parts. as for "old crappy" mainboards , in most upgrade situations where teh cpu is involved the cpu it's self aint that much newer than the main board . i upgraded my athy x2 5000+ to a phenom 9650 , the phenom 9650 is technically only a few month's newer than the main board i put it on , but it made a huge impact in performance for that system , and it only cost me 50 bucks instead of 600-800 bucks for a whole new system .. plus i don't have to jsut chunk this old computer and can use it as a fairly deccent back up system .
 
[citation][nom]CaedenV[/nom]For those who listen to the Anandtech podcasts this is not exactly a 'new' rumor. ~2 months ago they talked a bit about how Intel is having issues with the LGA platform on a technical level with the smaller chips that are coming to market, and so it needs to go. Their theory was that we would see BGA (or something like it) on everything from tablets to pre-fab desktops. The do-it-yourself market may still have an option for swapping out CPUs, but it would have to be something other than LGA.Just remember that this is Intel we are talking about. This is the company a year ago that practically said that in the future we will purchase products based on our screen and form factor needs, and things like the CPU/GPU will not be a consideration because what is paired with the screen will be 'good enough' for what that form factor is expected to do. The CPU becomes transparent rather than the focus of the system. This idea becomes really interesting with the introduction of retina displays. When we know a 'maximum resolution' for a device, then it is possible to know a 'maximum processing power' that such a device will require for things like games. Or perhaps we dont even go that far? Maybe we get a 'max CPU power' for things like web browsing and document work, and games get streamed from the game provider?Anywho; The idea is that everything becomes a terminal which is capable of handling 90% of user's needs. If you are doing something bigger than your terminal handle on its own (like mass storage, heavy gaming, design work, etc) then you would purchase a server to take those loads off of the local machine which would do all of the heavy lifting for you.Conceptually I actually like this idea, but it is going to be a rough transition for those of us who like our big beefy glory rigs. But then again perhaps it won't be such a transition? I have already found that my rig is taking more and more of a home server role providing content for my wife's PC ad our phones, and I would almost like it better if it were tucked away in some other part of the house, and all I had in front of me was a silent user interface. So long as I get my 60fps in games, and a good experience with my NLE then I am good with it. But I think we need to see faster Ethernet standards to come down the pipe to make it a reality.This is the ultimate push towards the cloud. Your phone, your 'desktop', and your tablet/laptop all become portals to your documents, programs, and information. They will be able to work together as a mesh of devices, all aware of eachother, perhaps to the point of being able to be used as a pool of screen realestate as a single UI across devices. But whatever the case, these devices will be cheap, easily replaceable, and have access to your stuff no matter where you are. Meanwhile all of your digital stuff stays safe locked in a closet, encrypted, and with drive redundancy. Thats where we are going. I hope that the big companies like MS and Intel don't screw it up through the transition.[/citation]

What we have happening here is that there has been the absence of new "killer apps" that take advantage of top-end processing power for a while.

Name a consumer-oriented app that runs a lot better on a 6-core i7 with 32+GB of RAM than it does on a dual-core i3 with 4GB. You can't, right?

So if you don't need more power, might as well make it smaller and more of a commodity-type product.
 
ok all you Intel Fanboys your dreams are coming true HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!! They will corner the CPU and MOBO market chargin what ever they want and basically put GPU makers out of business too and force everything to onboard graphics and games to console only. Hope you like it.
 
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