Wednesday, November 23rd 2022

Intel Finally Reveals its Software Defined Silicon as Intel On Demand

Back in September 2021, reports about Intel working on something called SDSi or software defined silicon, started to appear. Now, over a year later, the company has finally launched its SDSi products under the Intel On Demand branding. Back then, we speculated about what features Intel would put behind a paywall and although we were somewhat off track, Intel has put some specific "instructions" behind the paywall on the supported Xeon processors. Specifically, some CPUs will have Quick Assist, Dynamic Load Balancer and Data Streaming Accelerator available as an On Demand feature. Additionally, Intel is also putting its Software Guard Extensions and In-Memory Analytics Accelerator behind the same pay wall.

It appears that these features will be offered as-a-service offering from some of Intel's service partners, but there's also a "one-time activation of select CPU accelerators and security features" according to the Intel On Demand website. It's unclear which Xeon SKUs will get Intel On Demand, but according to The Register, it'll be the upcoming Sapphire Rapids based Xeon processors which should be the first parts affected. Intel has listed partners like HP, Lenovo and SuperMicro, among others, that are involved with the Intel On Demand program. It will still be possible to buy next gen Xeon CPUs that are fully feature enabled like today, but it's unclear if the Intel On Demand Xeon SKUs will offer some kind of cost benefits to companies that don't need the additional features that are behind the paywall.
Sources: Intel, The Register
Add your own comment

34 Comments on Intel Finally Reveals its Software Defined Silicon as Intel On Demand

#26
Count von Schwalbe
Nocturnus Moderatus
GreiverBladeyeah ... you get a 5030 and by paying XXXX$ more you can "upgrade it" up to a 5080 XXXXX$ more for the TI variant and XXXXXXXXXXXXXX$ more for the 5090 variant

i can totally see them going that way :laugh:

well i would go "hey! my 5030 is as much as good as your 5090, if i paid ... but i don't want, but it still could be ... SUCKER!"
Shhh, don't give them any ideas....
Posted on Reply
#27
R-T-B
TheoneandonlyMrKI do, any amount of dark silicon is wasted silicon IMHO and a waste of resources.
I can't see this coming to consumer SKU though.
Dark silicon is everywhere though. Heck few dies made today don't have lasered off sections.
Posted on Reply
#28
TheoneandonlyMrK
R-T-BDark silicon is everywhere though. Heck few dies made today don't have lasered off sections.
Yes but that's a bit different to this.
Posted on Reply
#29
efikkan
So, can we finally download more RAM?
(sarcasm)
Count von SchwalbeAh yes, artificial price inflation. If they can sell the base hardware for X dollars why not try and sell it for X-Y and charge Y a month to use half of it?
Not to mention jack up the price in the future, and keep earning from products that you bought many years ago.
Unfortunately, subscription models seem to be the trend everywhere these days.
Posted on Reply
#30
dorsetknob
"YOUR RMA REQUEST IS CON-REFUSED"
In other "Relateds" news

Mercedes-Benz to introduce acceleration subscription fee

www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-63743597
For an annual cost of $1,200 (£991) !!!

Guess they think if you own a new merc you can afford it
Posted on Reply
#31
chrcoluk
Capitalism progressing here. New profit growth has to come from somewhere I guess.

This can end up been a good thing though, if I buy something that isnt top end and then regret it later, I would rather be able to unlock the upgrade than have to swap out completely what I purchased.
Posted on Reply
#32
Redwoodz
They will do whatever you let them. Stop buying their products. Now.
Posted on Reply
#33
trsttte
dorsetknobIn other "Relateds" news

Mercedes-Benz to introduce acceleration subscription fee

www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-63743597
For an annual cost of $1,200 (£991) !!!

Guess they think if you own a new merc you can afford it
I think this kind of shit will backfire. It's been a practise for years to disable stuff in software and enable it for a flat fee (might need an extra module to plug in to the body computer or whatever, but it's mainly there already). Now that they're offering it as a predatory subscription it might motivate lawmakers to outlaw the practice altogether.

GG legacy automakers.
Posted on Reply
#34
Aquinus
Resident Wat-man
Investors obsession with ARR is getting a little out of hand.
Posted on Reply
Add your own comment
Mar 15th, 2025 22:18 EDT change timezone

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts