Intel’s New Warranty Plan to Cover Processors Damaged by Overclocking

Overclocking has been an inevitable part of high-performance personal computers for over two decades now. Even though nowadays leading suppliers of x86 microprocessors and graphics cards release special chips and special tools to boost performance of their products by the end users, devices damaged by overclocking up to now have not been covered by warranties. Intel Corp. has decided to change that.

Intel on Wednesday introduced a new pilot plan targeted at the enthusiast community. The new pilot service plan for “K”, “X”, and LGA2011-socketed boxed processors called the performance tuning protection plan (PTPP) provide certain out-of-warranty service offerings in the event of damage caused by overclocking or overvoltaging by the user.

Available at the cost between $20 and $35 (depending on microprocessor), the plan enables user to receive a one-time replacement processor if the user’s overvoltaging or overclocking causes the original processor to fail. The plan only applies to issues directly related to performance tuning.

“The enthusiast community is a critical market segment for Intel and we are looking at more opportunities to serve that community. In this spirit, Intel is announcing,” a statement by Intel reads. Previously, Intel started to sell high-performance CPU coolers, including those that use liquid, under its own brand.

At present the plan covers Intel Core i5-2500K, Core i7-2600K, Core i7-2700K, Core i7-3930K, Core i7-3960X central processing units. Eventually Intel is likely to expand the list.

Intel’s intention to exchange special-edition microprocessors that failed as a result of overclocking of overvoltaging will clearly amplify popularity of Intel’s latest products among enthusiasts.

This will also encourage overclockers to set records on Intel’s chips. Besides, it will add further pressure on the company’s arch-rival Advanced Micro Devices, who is keen on attracting enthusiasts and overclockers. Finally, the PTPP initiative shows Intel’s confidence in its own chips that are pretty hard to break by overclocking or overvoltaging due to various protection technologies.

This pilot plan will last for six months. The first phase of the plan will include only resellers: CyberPower, Canada Computers and Electronics, Scan Computers, and AltechComputers.  On February 13, 2012, Intel plans to add additional resellers to the PTPP initiative. Intel will also be providing the plan directly to customers at its web-site. Intel will evaluate the plan throughout the sixmonths and decide whether or not to proceed past the pilot phase.