ASRock circumventing Intels B-Clock "lock" with new boards

[Prysin]

Quote

ASRock is implementing a novel workaround to Intel's recent base-clock overclocking restrictions for its 6th generation Core "Skylake" processors. The company announced the Fatal1ty H170 Gaming K4 HYPER and Fatal1ty B150 Gaming K4 HYPER motherboards, which are based on a common PCB, but differ with chipset - H170 Express and B150 Express. The two use an external clock-generator chip to give cadence to the CPU, circumventing the on-die clock-generator Intel has been using for the past several generations of Core processors.

With this contraption, you can increase base clock frequency on non-K Core processors in fine increments of 0.0625 MHz, as well as tweak memory clock. Its star attraction aside, the two "HYPER" series motherboards offer mid-range feature-sets, that are nearly identical to those of the Fatal1ty H170 Gaming K4 and the Fatal1ty B150 Gaming K4 boards.

 

Source: https://www.techpowerup.com/220703/asrock-uses-external-clock-generators-to-circumvent-intel-non-k-bclk-oc-limits.html

 

Whilst i did not like that intel put the "lock" back in place on non-K products, i do think that by doing this ASRock may cause some harm to their relationship with intel.

Granted that INtel did not approve of the previous method for overclocking non-K SKU's, and managed to force several board partners into changing their BIOSes to remove the "feature".

We will see.

 

[Sakkura]

Asrock keeps doing stuff like this. I don't think they care about pissing Intel off. Certainly doesn't look like it.

[Castdeath97]

Well intel nice try, but...

 

[ivan134]

mATX please

[Bensemus]

People will buy these boards and Intel will block it again. They will get pissed. Idk why ASRock thinks this is a good idea.

[2FA]

[iamdarkyoshi]

The first comparison I though of was intel giving ass rock a spanking, then ass rock mooning intel and then leaving a giant turn in front of them.

 

I need to stop thinking.

[bcredeur97]

I dont understand why overclocking can't remain an "at your own risk" situation. It's like it's mainstream now so it actually hurts large companies? lol

[Misanthrope]

1 hour ago, bcredeur97 said:

I dont understand why overclocking can't remain an "at your own risk" situation. It's like it's mainstream now so it actually hurts large companies? lol

It's easy to understand: intel wants to charge you more for it. Instead of giving you compelling reasons to buy high end chips they've created an artificial reason for you to pay.

[Lays]

They didn't circumvent anything, other than giving us slightly more control over the BCLK from what this seems like..  The limit with AVX is still less than 103 BCLK before using an "unlocked" skylake non-k OC bios.

Pretty sure their Z-series already had this control as well, they're just putting it on the other boards now.

[MEC-777]

I literally lol'd when I read this yesterday. 

 

Go ASRock!  

 

As long as people understand the risk when attempting to OC a non-K chip, I don't see the problem. Typically, the types of people who attempt such things, generally understand the risk anyways.

[MoonSpot]

We'll see if it sticks.  All intel has to do is stop giving asrock any discount on bulk purchases for the chipsets, or otherwise change asrocks costs and availability, and this whole thing could fall apart fast.  Asrock needs intel a lot more than intel needing them.  It's great for the enthusiasts but biting the hand that feeds is a dangerous game to play.   Either way, best of luck asrock!  Thanks for keeping our options open.

[DaltonM]

luh u asrock

[RazeG3SG1]

While I like the fact that Asrock is being an ass to Intel, but I'm kinda worried that Intel would not allow Asrock to make any board when their next gen releases.