Intel 'preparing' to put an end to user-replaceable CPUs

Yesterday, a report emerged claiming that Intel is planning to release its upcoming 14-nanometer Broadwell architecture processors as a ball grid array (BGA) rather than an land grid array (LGA) package.

This would have several widespread implications, including bringing to an end to processor (CPU) upgrades.

Traditionally, the processors in desktop systems are fitted into a socket on the motherboard that allows them to be removed and replaced, while systems such as notebooks and tablets have the CPU soldered onto the motherboard.

Read more at source:
Intel 'preparing' to put an end to user-replaceable CPUs | ZDNet

 

[FSeal]

While ARM may be doing that (And in fact AMD is too, lower power chips with more cores, better for massive server environments)), ARM will NOT be in the desktop market any time soon. Intel will likely be a defacto monopoly on the desktop for some time to come at this point.

 

[burtie]

This isn't good. The way things are going with computers and gaming consoles I think I'll be giving them up for good soon!

 

[Rickkins]

^^^

Given that AMD has said that they are finished competing with intel and concentrating on lower end CPUs for cheap hardware and mobile devices, they have pretty much handed Intel an environment for monopoly and created a situation where Intel could very well manipulate prices. This move is a possible example of them manipulating choice and dictating an environment that benefits them more than their customers now that AMD is on it's way out as a choice for desktop machines. (Could be gone entirely by 2015, we'll see what Intel is like then)

Amd has repeatedly refuted that little piece of misinformation. They will still be producing high end cpu's, simply not with the stated intention of "competing" with intel.

 

[Kebero]

While ARM may be doing that (And in fact AMD is too, lower power chips with more cores, better for massive server environments)), ARM will NOT be in the desktop market any time soon. Intel will likely be a defacto monopoly on the desktop for some time to come at this point.

Actually, I believe Apple is looking at ARM to replace Intel chips in their systems. Or is rumored too, at least.

Sent from my Nokia Lumia 920 using Board Express

 

[FSeal]

^^^

Given that AMD has said that they are finished competing with intel and concentrating on lower end CPUs for cheap hardware and mobile devices, they have pretty much handed Intel an environment for monopoly and created a situation where Intel could very well manipulate prices. This move is a possible example of them manipulating choice and dictating an environment that benefits them more than their customers now that AMD is on it's way out as a choice for desktop machines. (Could be gone entirely by 2015, we'll see what Intel is like then)

Amd has repeatedly refuted that little piece of misinformation. They will still be producing high end cpu's, simply not with the stated intention of "competing" with intel.

Except the original "rumor" was started with the CEO himself. Refuting it later seems a bit like a stock price CYA more than anything. He said they are going to concentrate on the "Thin and Light" end of the cpu spectrum. If they don't compete with intel, then what will be "high-end" about them? Well maybe it's an "advanced" and competitive thin and light cpu that could be called "high end" by a trade mag or something but then were into semantics.

But when all is said and done, if they are not competing with intel then they are not competing on the desktop and basically handing it to Intel as I said. (Well they handed it to them with their last CPU release, the CEOs statement of shift of focus was just a formal recognition of how things were going)

 

[azasadny]

I'm not happy about this because I like matching the CPU to the motherboard and RAM and this will eliminate many options for us DIY'ers...

 

[znod]

I guess we'll see how this goes: Intel and Sockets.

 

[fragment137]

To be honest if Intel decides to do a complete change to BGA, it kind of forces themselves into a niche market. There is still a huge market for custom built PCs, and I can see manufacturers either offering a set of mobo's with the different chips right on the board or investing more into other CPU technologies.

I don't think this is the end of desktops, nor the end of custom-built rigs... I do think it will have an affect, but there ARE other CPU manufacturers out there... What's to stop them from taking over the custom-build market if Intel really tries to cut it out like that?

 

[gazz9496]

this just means customers pay more for a basic fault on the motherboard that could be fixed for 50-60 quid replacing the mobo now costs 2-400+ depending on what they have already.

not a great idea, aside from the obvious modder market there is an even bigger market out there, pc support.

so a latch holding your cpu cooler cracked? that'll be xx amount of money for a new mobo/cpu
so your pci-e socket isn't working right? that'll be a new mobo/cpu
so your ram slot is faulty? that'll be a new mobo/cpu

if they can make mobo's fault proof then that's fine go ahead but given the number of components that can fail and do fail they are out of their minds.

oh the joy's

 

[jbfoster]

No matter how you look at it, This Sucks.....