{"id":1061,"date":"2018-02-08T19:57:11","date_gmt":"2018-02-08T19:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.velocitymicro.com\/blog\/?p=1061"},"modified":"2022-03-23T17:19:45","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T17:19:45","slug":"intel-processors-locked-vs-unlocked-processor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.velocitymicro.com\/blog\/intel-processors-locked-vs-unlocked-processor\/","title":{"rendered":"Intel: Locked vs Unlocked Processors"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Intel<\/a><\/p>\n

While shopping for a new Intel processor, you may have noticed some advertised as \u201clocked\u201d while others purport to be \u201cunlocked.\u201d But what\u2019s the difference between Intel locked vs. unlocked processors? Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n

Locked vs Unlocked Processors<\/h2>\n

Unlocked processors, denoted with a k at the end of the model number like the Core i7-12700k<\/a> are made with an unlocked clock multiplier. This means when paired with the proper chipset like the Z670 and in the hands of a knowledgeable techie, unlocked processors can be Overclocked for faster than factory core speeds. Locked processors cannot be Overclocked.<\/p>\n

So does this mean for the non-overclocker that these unlocked processors should just be avoided? Not at all. In order to increase buyer interest in these unlocked \u201ck\u201d processors, Intel has made their fastest processor by stock core speed \u2013 the i9-12900k \u2013 an unlocked processor with the Alder Lake generation as they did with prior gens that came before. So if the highest processing speed possible is what you need for your specific application, an unlocked CPU may be just what you\u2019ve been searching for, even if you never intend to Overclock at all.<\/p>\n

Overclocking vs. Turbo<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You may have noticed that all current Intel i5 and i7 processors<\/a> list two clock speeds in their specs \u2013 \u201c3.3 GHz, up to 3.9 GHz,\u201d for example. This is the Turbo feature included with these processors, and while similar in concept to Overclocking, is not the same thing as we refer to it here. Turbo mode is a sort of temporary overclock the processor does to itself automatically when in need of a little extra juice. The turbo process itself is totally seamless and something you wouldn\u2019t even realize is happening within the depths of your PC. It\u2019s not a feature that\u2019s unique only to unlocked \u201ck\u201d processors.<\/p>\n

Ready to configure your custom PC powered by an unlocked processor? Check out our selections here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While shopping for a new Intel processor, you may have noticed some advertised as \u201clocked\u201d while others purport to be…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[24],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nIntel Processors \u2013 Locked vs Unlocked CPU<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Processors come as either \u201clocked\u201d or \u201cunlocked.\u201d But what\u2019s really the difference between Intel Locked vs. Unlocked processors?\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.velocitymicro.com\/blog\/intel-processors-locked-vs-unlocked-processor\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Intel 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