Chipmaker Intel has again began offering a CPU upgrade service. This time, however, users can upgrade one of three CPUs, including the Core i3-2312M, Core i3-2102, and Pentium G622. Performance boosts range from 10 to 23 percent.
The upgrade will boost the 2312M from 2.1GHz and 3MB of cache to 2.5GHz and 4MB, respectively. The 2102 will go from 3.1GHz and 3MB to 3.6GHz with cache left untouched. The G622 goes from 2.6GHz to 3.2GHz and undergoes a model number change to G693.
Users perform the upgrade themselves after purchasing the upgrade card. They need to download an installer from the Intel site and then enter the code found on the upgrade card. While pricing isn’t yet known, it may cost the same $50 as last time.
The practice was controversial from the start as the chips themselves are perfectly capable of running at the higher speeds but are artificially downclocked to let Intel make an extra profit from the chips. It does provide computer owners a way of quickly increasing the speed of a system without having to get a new computer or processor.
