Intel S Chips

[EarthboundHero]

So what's the difference between an Intel S chip and a standard/K chip. Are they unlocked like a K or locked like a standard chip?

[itsmyjobtoknow]

S series are more power efficient and locked I think (correct me if I am wrong)...

[AsGoodAsAHacker]

So what's the difference between an Intel S chip and a standard/K chip. Are they unlocked like a K or locked like a standard chip?

A normal CPU  (non-s or non-k) is just a processor with the specs it features on the box. S chips under-clock themselves when idle or unused for energy efficiency and lower power consumption, but still have Turbo boost features to run as fast as a normal chip when the power is needed. K chips are unlocked and can be overclocked greatly.

[ForsakenLive]

The S series are all about temps and power consumption, they all have lower clocks compared to the regular and K parts, it's really for those that want to save on both the CPU and the power bill, and don't really need that much power.

 

Unless you live in a region with crazy high power prices (Washington is not), or for some reason you know the CPU is going to be always at high temperatures (very small tight closed case), there is no reason to buy them for use at home, so stick with the other parts.

[airdeano]

"S" CPUs are speed enhanced for power efficiency and the "T" CPUs are

more thermally efficient.

[Guest]

Saw this in the spam threads section for a double post and figured I'd add a final other piece to the puzzle. The S and L series chips are yes, designed for a lower power consumption however they're also designed for another purpose - a high core count in a small form factor. Prime example of this is the E5 2618L which offers 10 cores and 20 threads with only a TDP of 75w so you can fit up to 2 CPU's per node per RU. You could then apply the same logic to the 4690S which I regularly see installed into the Antec ISK110 - a very small form factor PC with a 90w power supply - tiny quad core PC with still a bit of grunt.