Intel makes overclocking non-K-Skylake processors impossible with update

Bios updates with code from Intel for motherboards will make it impossible for users to overclock non-K-series Skylake processors any longer. Overclockers could ramp up Celerons and Pentiums, and motherboard manufacturers advertised them.

Intel has confirmed the distribution of the code to motherboard manufacturers to PCWorld, after Taiwanese sites like Xfastest and Benchlife already posted rumors about it. “The latest update includes code that aligns with the stance that we don’t recommend overclocking processors that aren’t designed for it,” Intel said. According to the company, the motherboard manufacturers “voluntarily” process the code in bios updates.

Those who implement the bios updates will no longer be able to use the overclocking possibilities that were within reach for non-K processors of the Skylake generation. For overclocking, Intel releases the K models, whose lock has been removed from the multiplier. Motherboard manufacturers began to offer overclocking capabilities for other chips with their Z170, H170, B170, and B150 boards, letting users adjust the bclk, or base clock frequency.

ASRock, MSI, EVGA, Biostar and Asus, among others, advertise ‘Non-K OC’ on motherboards, under labels such as ‘Sky OC’ and ‘Hyper OC’. The feature is popular with overclockers because it allows them to work with cheaper processors such as Core i3s, Celerons and Pentiums. They can continue to do this by not implementing the updates.

ASRock has already started distributing the affected BIOS update, it turned out this weekend, making it seemed only a matter of time until Intel confirmed it. Intel had previously taken an ‘overclocking detour’: with the Haswell generation, the company only allowed Z motherboards to overclock the K processors. When motherboard manufacturers moved to also offer overclocking options on budget boards with H87 and B85 chipsets, Intel brought them back in line.