Many may not remember, but when AMD launched the first Ryzen processors and it was revealed they were modular, Intel made quite a bit of fun of it. Some time later, it all seems to have been forgotten, and even Intel might implement this technique in the future. Although perhaps that future is now, because momomo_US, a Twitter user known for leaking quite a few things, has revealed a strange processor—perhaps from Intel?
Apparently the processor is from Intel, by design and the way the identifier has been stamped. The problem is that under the IHS it hides 4 DIE, something we have never seen. Although the company has indicated several times that it will continue with the current design, although they have admitted that in the future they could opt for 'modular' processors.
An Intel processor with 4 DIE?
Wccftech reports that they've been investigating whether this processor is genuine or fake. There's some doubt, but it seems they've encountered many of these processors. It's possible it's not a real commercial processor and is a discarded MCM test unit that's been put up for sale.
The IHS has stamped a series of data, which allows us to know more about this processor. The first thing is that it is based on the LGA 1156-ish socket. The batch number also tells us that this processor was manufactured four years ago in Malaysia.
With this data we can speculate:
- Rather old and discarded project based on MCM design [most likely choice]
- Project that Intel continues to develop and that remains secret [cannot be ruled out]
- Counterfeiting by someone of more than 100.000 of these units [implausible]
Another key aspect of this rare processor is that it would belong to the Skylake family. Possibly it is something that began to develop shortly after having this family ready.
It stands out from this processor that it seems completely made of transistors or other elements soldered on the PCB. Possibly the processor is not operational and is a demo version. Perhaps the most curious thing is that it does not appear that of "Intel Confidential" something typical of engineering processors or that are delivered for review. That it is manufactured in Malaysia would also verify the theory that Intel has three test or packaging factories there: PG8, KM5 and KMO (in Penang and Kulim)
A mystery worthy of Iker Jiménez?
It's not the only thing weird about these processors. We must remember that the DIE of the Skylake were 2 cores and 8 threads. If we have 4 DIE on the same PCB, it means that we would have an 8-core, 16-wire processor. But it cannot be confirmed, at least for now. And it is that above this leaves questions such as, Why does Intel not take them out to compete with AMD?
But also these processors are sold on eBay, so it is not difficult to find them. It seems that there are many of these processors, so it seems difficult that it is all one big scam. According to a Reddit thread, they have more than 100.000 of these rare processors counted.
Everything suggests that they were development and engineering prototypes and that by whoever you know, they have ended up being sold. We do not know if someone has bought one of these processors and made it work. If more data from these processors appear, do not doubt that we will bring them, because they have left us with a crooked ass.
