Overclocking processors used to be extremely nerdy, but if anything it’s becoming more common these days. For those intent on squeezing performance from their chip, Intel’s new CPU insurance means getting it wrong needn’t be that expensive.
Overclocking a CPU does bring performance increases, but it also brings extra heat which can damage the chip if you’re not careful. That’s why Intel is now offering a Performance Tuning Protection Plan for five of its CPUs, which bolts on additional coverage for overclocked processors on top of their standard three-year warranty.
You can buy the insurance any time within a year from purchase, and the policy lasts three years. So, burn your chip out from overclocking, and it’s replaced free of charge. Insurance is available for five unlocked processors, and the cost varies by model as follows:
Core i7 3960X ($35)
Core i7 3930K ($35)
Core i7 2700K ($25)
Core i7 2600K ($25)
Core i5 2500K ($20)
It seems pretty cheap. But then, maybe that means Intel doesn’t expect to have to replace many. [Intel via CNET]
StevoTheDevo
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 7:50 AMAnd the purpose of this is cheap research to see just how far they can push their engineering safety limits?
Or just another -albeit small- income stream?
Spyder
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:53 PMWould that be such a bad thing? Encouraging end users to push the tech as far as it can go, and perhaps further?
NotjusttheUS
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 8:11 AMOk now this post actually has good content.. thank you.
Vebi
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:57 PMIntel must be pretty confident of their chips. Good to see.
Boomzzilla
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:17 PMNice plan but my cpu the 2500k, costs $20 to insure for a $220 chip but the Core i7 3960X a $1000 chip only costs $35.
yanke
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 3:42 PMMeh, my i5 2500k only goes to a stable 4.3ghz before it blue screens on me. I am pretty comfy with the heat output at that level. So no thx intel i rather keep my 20 bucks.