Has Intel just outlawed any review website (gaming, enthusiast, etc) from ever posting benchmarks of their CPUs again? I feel like they didn't think this through.
If we tech journalists were actually seriously concerned that Intel would be dumb enough to try to enforce those provisions against us, then we'd just ask the motherboard vendors for updated pre-release firmware that incorporates the new microcode but doesn't come with Intel's license agreement attached. We often go that route anyways because it's easier to update the motherboard than to ensure that every OS you're testing against (especially Windows) has loaded the newer microcode.
Also if you get the update via windows update you get the patch without having ever agreed to the no-benchmarking clause, so you're free to publish anyway.
It's easier, you can post bar graphs where Intel processors are listed as "presumably very bad". Just to remind the public that they should expect the worst because Intel has something to hide.
Most (all?) gaming websites also recommend the minimum/best system for each game. With AMD recent bumps in performance and after this bully move, Intel is in serious risk of disappearing from the list of endorsed solutions.
... or just the reverse: clearly omitted in all benchmarks, stating you buy at your own risk because of Intel's unwillingness to subject its products to examination.
[Sure it's not going to fly given Intel's market position, but it's a tempting thought anyway...]
wtallis|7 years ago
lagadu|7 years ago
HelloNurse|7 years ago
squarefoot|7 years ago
paulie_a|7 years ago
tzmudzin|7 years ago
[Sure it's not going to fly given Intel's market position, but it's a tempting thought anyway...]