Wednesday, January 18th 2012

Intel Introduces CPU Replacement Plan Targeting Overclockers

Jan 18th, 2012 15:47 Discuss (89 Comments)

In an effort to offer some (extra) comfort to enthusiasts who like to overclock their processors, Intel has launched something called the 'Performance Tuning Protection Plan'. This offering basically ensures a no questions asked, single processor replacement, in the event of the 'death' of an overclocked CPU.

To take advantage of the Performance Tuning Protection Plan, which comes as an addition to the standard 3 year warranty (this one only covers CPUs that fail 'under normal usage') people are required to pay a one-time fee between $20 and $35, depending on the CPU model.

Intel's overclocker-friendly plan launches today (it's in a pilot phase for starters) and is available from four resellers - CyberPower, Scan Computers, Canada Computers and Electronics, Altech Computers, and through Intel.com.

The Performance Tuning Protection Plan covers the following chips:

Core i5-2500K - $20 (plan price)
Core i7-2600K - $25
Core i7-2700K - $25
Core i7-3930K - $35
Core i7-3960X - $35

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89 Comments on Intel Introduces CPU Replacement Plan Targeting Overclockers

#26

cadaveca

My name is Dave

Delta6326Intel is going to loose some money on this..Well at least from the suicide runners go out get a $1000 CPU add $35 get a insane world record, call Intel No questions asked get your new replacement and use it for other stuff.:rockout:

Extreme Edition CPUs don't cost Intel any more to make than the cheapest CPU that offers the same core. And they make profits on the cheapest.

You could basically say that the cost of another chip is already rolled into the price(costs of providing warranty service are part of what we pay at the store), too, so we could almost say that the chip costs them what the extra warranty cost does, and the rest are profits.

They do rake in billions, after all.

Frankly, I'd liek to seea fuse built into the CPU that will blow when the CPU is overclocked/overvolted, and this fuse does nto affect functionality. Intel can make it simply that when you make changes in BIOS to stuff that would be considered an OC, the board blows the fuse, or some other weeird stuff..they can do what they like. Anyway...then they can lower RMA costs for those that dishonestly return chips.

Freakin' perfect, if you ask me. You wanna play? You pay! I'll pay!

#27

20mmrain

The added thing I noticed about this plan is though.... is you can't use it until 30 days after purchase. Intel says it has to do with a lot of moving pieces when returning an item and they want to make sure your purchase is on the books.

I say BS! They just don't want a bunch of people rushing in all at once to get their blown CPU's RMA'd

#28

Kantastic

If they advertise the unlocked multiplier as a feature, they expect chips to be manually overclocked. If I know they're going to deny me an RMA because I overclocked a chip advertised to be overclocked, I just won't tell them.

#29

qubit

Overclocked quantum bit

Sounds like another rubbish insurance plan of the type places like Best Buy like to sell you at the checkout it's pure profit for Intel. Just don't tell them you overclocked it, like enthusiasts have been doing for years.

#30

n-ster

do you guys have a conscious? Now you can legally return the CPU after blowing it up by OCing... if you returned CPUs by OCing before, it was wrong to do so, but now that you have the option to do it legally, it is even more wrong. I think Intel has done a good move here.

To kill a chip by OCing you need to do some serious OCing and/or have some bad cooling... either way the standard warranty SHOULD NOT cover that, even for K chips

To me, now that this has come out, returning a CPU because you busted it OCing under normal warranty is as bad as pirating DLCs or Expansions for games that you bought

#31

D4S4

Delta6326Intel is going to loose some money on this..Well at least from the suicide runners go out get a $1000 CPU add $35 get a insane world record, call Intel No questions asked get your new replacement and use it for other stuff.:rockout:

i'd just like to add - all amd fanbois out there, this is your chance to make a difference! go buy and fry as many intel chips as you can afford! :laugh:

#32

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

D4S4i'd just like to add - all amd fanbois out there, this is your chance to make a difference! go buy and fry as many intel chips as you can afford! :laugh:

why waste money on them:confused:

#33

chevy350

I just grabbed it, only a year into my 2600k and still have some playing to do but was seeing temps and now I have no worry if I let the smoke out. Wonder how new a chip they'll send as a replacement...as far as production batch. Either way I've seen good numbers from just about all the different batches on other forums and to get another cpu with no questions asked is worth the $25 to me.

#34

Arctucas

2, 3, & 4.

#35

Steevo

n-sterdo you guys have a conscious? Now you can legally return the CPU after blowing it up by OCing... if you returned CPUs by OCing before, it was wrong to do so, but now that you have the option to do it legally, it is even more wrong. I think Intel has done a good move here.

To kill a chip by OCing you need to do some serious OCing and/or have some bad cooling... either way the standard warranty SHOULD NOT cover that, even for K chips

To me, now that this has come out, returning a CPU because you busted it OCing under normal warranty is as bad as pirating DLCs or Expansions for games that you bought

So a sports car that goes 200MPH but has to obey the speed limit is no better than a Kia Sorento that goes the same limit. :slap:

Intel knows what users plan on doing with the chips, they just put in the agreement the same as you agree to never speed, drive your car in a unsafe manner, drive while sleepy or many other things like eat, drink soda, or listen to music at a volume that could damage your hearing.

Fuck all that.

#36

HammerON

The Watchful Moderator

I really like this idea and will be will be using it:toast:
Minimal cost for a little extra security when really pushing your CPU.
Edit: i7-970 not on the list:( Oh well, I will purchse the plan when I buy my next Intel CPU...

#37

Completely Bonkers

Intel will not do this on a "we lose money" basis. They will make sure they cover their costs.

So we have just learned that the marginal cost of production is $20 or less! Nice margin on this CPU business, eh!?

#38

MikeMurphy

Its a good option for folks.

For me, I like finding a maximum overclock that it 24/365 friendly. Suicide runs don't go far unless you're hardcore into LN2 etc.

EDIT: I bet this option is to comply with laws somewhere.

#39

n-ster

SteevoSo a sports car that goes 200MPH but has to obey the speed limit is no better than a Kia Sorento that goes the same limit. :slap:

Intel knows what users plan on doing with the chips, they just put in the agreement the same as you agree to never speed, drive your car in a unsafe manner, drive while sleepy or many other things like eat, drink soda, or listen to music at a volume that could damage your hearing.

Fuck all that.

Apples and oranges... and even then, if you drive your car at 200MPH for a long time it'll overheat the engine and blow up... Should it be covered under the car's warranty? HELL NO

#40

Kantastic

n-sterApples and oranges... and even then, if you drive your car at 200MPH for a long time it'll overheat the engine and blow up... Should it be covered under the car's warranty? HELL NO

If it's advertised to do 200 and it fails to do so 24/7, it should be covered.

#41

rangerone766

i like it. i wonder if you can send in the dog oc'ers for replacement, not just the dead ones. i had an old e6750 that refused to oc on anything except unsafe voltage. sent it in after contacting intel saying it was bsod'ing. got a decent oc'er back.

my current 2600k takes pretty stupid volts for 5.0ghz stable, so i may look into buying this. how unsafe is 1.560 volts on a 2600k? its under water and maxes out at 59c on the hottest core under good water.

#42

dj-electric

The price is just right

1 - i have overclocked the crap outta dozens of CPUs over the years, non of them died (yet?)
2 - Its ok to have this "assurance" for 30 bucks for a 200-350$ CPU
3 - Just got the G6950 2.8Ghz pentium CPU for my HTPC and i OCed the sausage out of this poor guy to 4.4Ghz :D

#43

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

rangerone766i like it. i wonder if you can send in the dog oc'ers for replacement, not just the dead ones. i had an old e6750 that refused to oc on anything except unsafe voltage. sent it in after contacting intel saying it was bsod'ing. got a decent oc'er back.

my current 2600k takes pretty stupid volts for 5.0ghz stable, so i may look into buying this. how unsafe is 1.560 volts on a 2600k? its under water and maxes out at 59c on the hottest core under good water.

ya you just deceived them by changing the story of the chip.

#44

rangerone766

eidairaman1ya you just deceived them by changing the story of the chip.

i dont deny that. sure i fibbed a bit to get a better overclocker. not the worst thing i've ever done. and certainly not the last time either.

i've been stuck by the "man" so many times, it's nice to stick back once in a while.

#45

qubit

Overclocked quantum bit

How did I know that something like this would be controversial! lol

What surprises me are how many members are in favour of this. I honestly expected people to vote it down. I guess people like the peace of mind that it brings them and are willing to pay a little extra for it. :toast:

#46

Kantastic

eidairaman1ya you just deceived them by changing the story of the chip.

Well they deceived me if they deny my warranty for overclocking the chip. That's under the premise that you're 100% honest with the Intel phone rep when you ring them up for an RMA. If a chip you've previously overclocked briefly but have since returned to stock settings dies for no apparent reason, will you tell Intel, "Oh yeah, I should mention, I've overclocked this chip before but I highly doubt that has anything to do with its spontaneous death."? If you do, your warranty is denied. If you don't, you deceived them by changing the story of the chip.

#47

DrPepper

The Doctor is in the house

Cristian_25HK models already have a premium over the non-K chips. Intel could maintain the price difference but add the Performance Tuning Protection Plan. 'Could' is the key word here ;) .

That is true in regards to the premium however I'm against giving them a reason to increase that. I think the way they've done it is the best way since it's optional and an extra choice for the consumer which is always good.

#48

HillBeast

After all my years of overclocking, I have killed only one chip, and that was pretty much me trying to kill that chip. It was a Celeron D I was overclocking and overvolting to 4.2GHz with 1.7V pumping into it... on air.

I got them in bulk so I didn't care that I killed just one.

#49

n-ster

qubitHow did I know that something like this would be controversial! lol

What surprises me are how many members are in favour of this. I honestly expected people to vote it down. I guess people like the peace of mind that it brings them and are willing to pay a little extra for it. :toast:

I'm in favor of it, doesn't mean I'd ever buy it lol

#50

qubit

Overclocked quantum bit

n-sterI'm in favor of it, doesn't mean I'd ever buy it lol

I voted it down, but I guess one could ask if having this available does any harm? I don't think the answer is clear-cut.

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Intel Introduces CPU Replacement Plan Targeting Overclockers

89 Comments on Intel Introduces CPU Replacement Plan Targeting Overclockers

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