Intel abandons hardware-paid unlocking mode, quietly terminates the "On-Demand Service" feature

K-LinePoet · 2026-02-12T04:40:19+00:00

Intel's "Software-Defined Chip (SDSi)" feature aims to activate unused accelerator functions in processors through paid activation but has been controversial due to widespread criticism. Recently, the SDSi GitHub project has been archived, indicating that this feature is gradually being phased out, and the related webpage has also been taken down.

K-LinePoet

2026-02-12 04:40:19

Abstract generation in progress

Tom’s Hardware, February 9 — Back in 2021, Intel launched a feature called “Software Defined Silicon (SDSi),” which is used to activate additional authorized hardware features. Since then, support for this software-defined silicon has continued to develop, and it was officially released under the name Intel On Demand. The core concept is that users can pay to activate certain integrated but disabled accelerator features in specific processor models.

This on-demand, pay-per-use model for accelerator IPs found in Xeon processors has been widely criticized. Intel On Demand supports both pay-as-you-go and one-time permanent activation payment options.

Tom’s Hardware notes that over the past year or two, Intel has almost stopped mentioning the On Demand service publicly. Now, it appears that this somewhat controversial feature is about to be completely discontinued.

According to Phoronix, Intel’s SDSi GitHub project has been archived.

As early as November last year, Intel marked the SDSi GitHub project supporting On Demand as archived. Coupled with the fact that Intel has hardly promoted this feature in the past year or two, it is clear that this model is gradually being phased out. Other related pages for Intel On Demand have also been taken down, and currently only some old PDF documents can be found on Intel’s official website.

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