Some Intel CPUs may no longer perform to their maximum straight out of the box

Date:
Mon, 14 Feb 2022 16:21:39 +0000

Description:
Intel is preparing to put its plans for software-defined silicon into effect in the coming months.

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Intels plans for software-defined silicon (SDSi) will take effect with the next version of the Linux kernel, it has emerged.

To date, the company has remained tight-lipped about the SDSi initiative, whereby customers will pay an additional fee to activate certain features built into their processors . Although Intel has acknowledged the existence
of the scheme, it has offered no specifics as to which capabilities can be toggled on or off and which CPUs will be compatible.

However, a message sent to the Linux Kernel Mailing list by a Red Hat developer has revealed Intels SDSI code will be incorporated into the Linux kernel before the 5.18 merge window, which commences at the end of March. The finalized version of Linux 5.18, meanwhile, is expected to land in May.
Intels software-defined silicon

Intels flirtation with software-defined silicon first became apparent in autumn of 2021, when it emerged the company had made a contribution to the Linux kernel that would allow for dormant CPU features to be activated.

Officially, the company has characterized the SDSi scheme as an experiment that may ultimately lead to nothing. However, as noted by The Register , it
is highly unlikely that Linux maintainers would allow Intel to bloat the kernel for the purposes of an idle experiment. Read more

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Although Intel has offered no real indication, the objective may be to cut back on the number of specialized Xeon SKUs, instead offering a smaller range of CPUs that allow customers to turn functionality on or off as needed. This would benefit the company from a logistical perspective, in addition to simplifying the product catalogue for IT buyers.

The SDSi system could also feasibly allow customers to activate unused cores when running irregular but particularly compute-intensive workloads, or when
a permanent upgrade is required.

Speculators have suggested that Intels next generation Xeon server chips, codenamed Sapphire Rapids, will be the first to support SDSi. But even if early indications suggest the plans do not extend beyond Intels enterprise
and data center offerings, whos to say SDSi doesnt have a place in the
desktop CPU market too?

TechRadar Pro has asked Intel for additional information about its work on software-defined silicon. Also check out our lists of the best dedicated server hosting and best bare metal hosting providers

Via The Register



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/some-intel-cpus-may-no-longer-perform-to-their- maximum-straight-out-of-the-box/


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