Intel offering affordable overclocking insurance ? Computer Chips ...

For all that it has changed over the years, overclocking still has its risks. You are, by definition, pushing processors past their intended operating point and while that generally won?t do any harm there is always the chance something could go wrong. Some individual chips can go further than other ones that are the same model, but happen to have been produced at another time, in another facility, or with a different stepping, so even if you do your research and cool properly, things can happen. Intel understands this and has enthusiasts covered, that is if they want to pony up the cash and pay for insurance.

Intel?s new pilot program for this is known as the Performance Tuning Protection Plan. Using this Intel-owning overlockers can pay between $20 and $35 to insure their enthusiast-level CPU ? from the Core i5 2500K on the low end and the Core i7 3960X on the high end. This covers X and K processors on LGA2011, Sandy Bridge (second generation Core architecture) or newer.

The chip?s standard three year warranty will still apply, but this plan will offer protection for times when the chip is running outside of normal circumstances. Basically, Intel?s normally warranty doesn?t cover your 5GHz LN2-cool weekend project rig, but the PTPP does.

Despite the availability of the PTPP Intel has not changed their official stance on overclocking. The company will offer no support or advise on pushing chips past their intended performance targets or recommended operating conditions.

The PTPP simply augments the buyer?s existing three-year warranty with extra protection. It?s a way for Intel to support enthusiasts while getting in on the lucrative extended warranty business, something every retailer understands quite well at this point (many savvy consumers avoid). Right now it?s just a six month pilot project, after which Intel will reevaluate the program, so we?ll see how it does. If you are doing any major overclocking you might want to considering signing up.

More at Intel

Source: http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/intel-offering-up-affordable-overclocking-insurance-20120119/

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