Recently, Intel introduced its Intel Core 13 with a base TDP of 65 W, the so-called models without a letter at the end of the name. These are versions of those released a few months ago, but with a lower clock speed and limited overclocking capabilities, however, everything indicates that this could limit it. I eat? Well , by cutting the ability to manipulate the BCLK.
The acronym BCLK means Base Clock, it is the base frequency that when applying the multiplier ends up reaching the final clock speed. For example, if our CPU runs at 4 GHz and has a BCLK of 100 MHz, then this means that the multiplier is x40. Well, this way of overclocking will disappear.
We will not be able to overclock some Intel Core 13 CPUs
Internally, Intel has never made its non-letter desktop processors upclockable, that is, they were not intended for overclocking. However, this was made possible through an early version that the manufacturer passed to motherboard assemblers that allowed the BCLK to be manipulated and thereby allowed overclocking. At the same time, this unexpected feature was used by manufacturers to sell more expensive motherboards that could sell more expensive models by allowing overclocking Intel non-K processors. Obviously, we are talking about motherboards with LGA1700 socket, where Intel Core 13 can also be connected because they use the same CPU socket.
What is the problem with the Intel Core 13 without letter at the end? Well, said microcode no longer works with them and, therefore, it will be impossible to overclock them. That is, if you connect an Intel Core 12 to one of the motherboards, you will not be limited when it comes to raising the clock frequency, but you will not be able to do so in the new generation ones. Unless, of course, you use the K and KF models that do support this function. In other words, Intel has not wanted to repeat its “mistake” of distributing a microcode that allows going beyond the clock speeds stipulated in the processor specifications.
What does the BCLK affect on Intel processors?
Varying the BCLK value on the processor also affects communication with RAM memory and PCI Express lines, since both the PCH and the IMC built into the processors depend on the BCLK clock speed. That is to say, that when modifying it, not only the clock speed of the processor cores is increased, but of all its internal communication.
It’s all good news isn’t it? Well no, since this also increases energy consumption and temperature in processors that have not been designed to operate in such conditions. It is not that the processor is going to fry at any given moment, but it increases the possibility of having crashes.
In any case, it is an option that was not of the processor, but of certain models of motherboards. So it’s not really a cut from Intel.
