Motherboards Is the new Haswell bringing an end to interchangeable CPU's

The processor-motherboard combination as PC enthusiasts know it could end, with Intel LGA1150 processors under the "Haswell" micro-architecture, likely to becoming the last client processors to ship in the retail channel (processor-in-box). Future Intel client processors, codenamed "Broadwell" could ship only in BGA (ball-grid array) packages, with existing motherboard vendors selling their products with processors permanently soldered onto them. The information comes from Japanese PC Watch, which cites sources in the PC industry.

With a compacted socket-processor launch cycle that spans nearly 2 years under the company's "tick-tock" product strategy, the scope for processor updates in the client computing industry might be lower than what it was in the LGA775 days. Perhaps statistics at Intel don't show a sizable proportion of people upgrading processors on existing motherboards, or upgrading motherboards while retaining the processor, rather buying a combination of the two, not to mention the fact that pre-built PCs outsell DIY assembled ones in major markets. With the processor being "tied" to the motherboard, Intel gets room to compact the platform further, combining processor and core logic completely into a single package. It's likely that Intel could still leave processor interchangeability to its HEDT (high-end desktop) platform, which sees processors start at $300, and motherboards at $200.

 

Hmmmm, I'm not really sure how I feel about this!

How would this system work with all the Mobo manufacturers? Would they continue to sell a variety of boards with different CPUs in them. So for example, would we see a ROG board with a 3570K or and 3770K but nothing below that?

At least there will be no more problems with bent pins.....

 

That really sucks. So much for new architectures, now we need a new mobo surely they can't go ahead with this!

 

Well if Intel stopped changing the socket every year or so then maybe people would be upgrading the cpu's, without buying new boards at the same time.

Really for those on Sandy Bridge E, the only upgrade you can do that would bring a real benefit to you is to go from the 3820 (?) to the 3930K.

With P67/Z68 and Z77 the only upgrade you can do is from a 2500K/3570K to a 2700K/3770K.

And for X58, you could really go from a 920 to a 950, 970,980 or 990 there were more options.

For those of us who have a 2700K the only real upgrade we could do would be to a 3930K but that would mean a new board, because Intel are not releasing a 6 or 8 core cpu for the 1155 socket.

Intel only have themselves to blame for people not upgrading the cpu without upgrading the board.

I would upgrade to a 6 core 1155 chip tomorrow, if they did one that didn't have the heat issues of Ivy Bridge and was overclockable, but as Intel have not released one I am stuck with my 2700K as I don't, want to fork out for a Sandy Bridge E board, chip and ram costing roughly £700 by the time you have bought decent stuff.

 

It's this does take place it will effect a lot of people. Was going to sell my spare sabertooth but going to keep it now.

 

It may just be me getting cynical but is there actually any benefit to this other than from a profit side of things - if you fancy a processor upgrade you have to go for a full mobo + cpu upgrade...

Admittedly when I upgrade next year it'll be a mobo + cpu upgrade (from 1156 to 1150) but I would have liked to think that a year or two further on I might be able to just switch out the cpu if I wanted to...

 

Every time I have upgraded my pc cpu wise I always buy a new motherboard (and possibly ram) so technically it wouldn't affect me that much.

Although I don't actually like the idea.

 

That is all

 

Same here - I prefer the choice the current system allows... Does this mean that there will be a smaller choice of cpus & motherboards overall - if I was a motherboard manufacturer I wouldn't be arsed with offering a huge range of cpu / mobo combinations

 

Part of me---the guy who can't really be bothered delving deep into technical specs and overclocking and only upgrades every few years---likes the idea. I quite like the idea of an all in one bundle that simplifies everything.

The part of me that likes tinkering with stuff and recognises that choice is good doesn't really approve of this at all.

 

It wouldn't surprise me. Seems like a lot of effort is being made to kill desktop computing. Too much is being put into tablet crap and trying to force everyone down that path.

 

I wouldn't mind (or won't mind) if there is a tangible benefit to the end consumer (lower prices overall, better performance, better reliability etc) but if not then I still remain of the opinion that it's a profit increasing exercise... I do hope to be proved wrong.

 

It's definitely profit based, its going to be cheaper to produce a board without a socket plus if either the cpu or the mobo go down the pan then you have to buy both again to get your system working.

Break downs aside it may save some people some cash as how many people buy a board and a cheaper cpu to tide them over and then replace it when they've saved up. People will think harder and buy what they need in the 1st place, still don't agree with it though.

 

Post replica!
http://www.techpowerup.com/176133/Is-Haswell-the-Last-Interchangeable-Intel-Client-Processor-.html

If you are going to copy an article, put it in quotes, and state the source.
Thanks


The articles comes from: http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/di...hangeable_Desktop_Microprocessors_Report.html

A lot of detail isn't clear. To be it sounds like its aimed at low end PC and laptops. Higher end CPU's, like the current K series, will be interchangeable.

 

Kinda already the case - with Atom and NUC.....

 

To be honest it will make very little difference for someone like me, who upgrades a cpu/mobo every 4ish years, as by then a new motherboard needed anyway.

Also it will cut down on the amount of cpus I imagine, maybe just an unlocked one and a locked one.

Hopefully it will be cheaper aswell

 

Assuming it's true and it applies everywhere, I think its all a cheap trick for Intel to make more money. If your CPU breaks, you need a new motherboard. Or if your motherboard breaks, even if you RMA it, it will be very tricky for the motherboard manufacture to recover/replace the CPU for making refurbished boards.

However, if motherboard manufacture are wise, they'll buy bulk OEM processors, and now Intel will end up with less money in their pocket.

 

Look's like I'll switch to AMD then... <- Unholy words right there.

 

I dont really see it been the big issue that most do, Simply because how many people on here have brought just a CPU by itself to upgrade there current rigs.

Even if i personally went from a 950 to a 990x id still buy a new mobo simply to have access to a higher quality board, As most people cheap out on the mobo and i know a few people who brought a cheap as chips board and an expensive cpu. About 5months down the line they buy a new mobo.

If i was ever going to upgrade my gaming rig now id be buying a new mobo cpu and ram thats for certain and probably a new psu case and other bits and bobs to go with it.

Only bits that ive ever transfered pc to pc were graphics cards. The rest has stuck with that pc even hard disks. Cheaper to buy a whole new drive than it is to back up everything on the current drive.

If Intel do it, AMD will follow, Motherboard manufactures will most likely demand it due to ease of manufacturing.

Dont personally see any of this happening but 2 years down the road who knows how much faster a pc will be. Most people would be better off buying a pre built even today than going down the DIY route.

Unless your a serious gamer or have some use for that top end processors. you can get a word and email box for a few hundred quid from dell.

 

I know a few people will come on here and say you can build a email facebook box for less than a dell pc

dells low end pc costs £279, £398 with monitor. ( all pcs include win 8 and mouse keyboard )

Assume that you have no OS no monitor or mouse or keyboard

half your budget just disapears on it. ( OS is about £90 monitor is about £80 cheapo mouse and keyboard can be had for £10 combined. leaves you about £200 for all the other bits )

Its a big ask i can tell ya that much as ive been asked before.