Intel has disabled Non-K Skylake Overclocking

Intel has disabled Non-K Skylake Overclocking

 

Ever since the start of this new Skylake Non-K overclocking craze there were always fears that Intel would put their foot down and lock down this unintended feature with future BIOS updates, leaving the Non-K overclocking craze as a temporary thing. 

Now an intel spokesperson has stated that it was Intel themselves that issued an update to their Z170 BIOS’ which disables Skylake Non-K overclocking, which while voluntary for the manufacturer is being implemented into the majority of Z170 motherboards. 

In AsRock’s latest BIOS updates for their Z170 motherboard they have disabled their SKY OC function, which was what allowed AsRock motherboards to support Intel Non-K CPU BCLK overclocking, removing this heavily marketed feature from their motherboards. 

Other manufacturers have had Non-K overclocking on their Z170 motherboard, but have never advertised it as a feature, meaning that they will not be receiving as much of a backlash from this as AsRock will be receiving from consumers. 

 

Intel regularly issues updates for our processors which our partners voluntarily incorporate into their BIOS,

The latest update provided to partners includes, among other things, code that aligns with the position that we do not recommend overclocking processors that have not been designed to do so. Additionally, Intel does not warranty the operation of the processor beyond its specifications.

    

 

While the Intel Spokesperson has stated that the update is voluntary, it seems likely that Intel has nonetheless been pressuring motherboard manufacturers to remove Non-K overclocking support so that Intel K CPUs remain the only overclocking capable CPUs on Z170 motherboards, as Intel has clearly stated here that they do not recommend it. 

Right now it look likely that future BIOS updates from other motherboard makers will follow AsRock and disable support for Non-K Skylake overclocking, but remember that Intel cannot force you to update your BIOS, so current users of overclocked Non-K CPUs will not suddenly lose their overclock. 

 

You can join the discussion on Intel disabling Non-K Skylake overclocking on the OC3D Forums.