A vending machine unusual has become the subject of great interest in Japan after one lucky user got one Intel Core i7-8700 CPU for only 500 Yen, equivalent to approximately €3. The machine, usually reserved for dispensing plastic toys, began dispensing computer parts instead of the usual treats.
It all started when X user @LaurieWired shared the story of Sawara-San, who documented the unusual discovery on YouTube. The machines in question, called gachapon, are extremely popular in Japan, but the idea of finding PC components instead of the usual surprises It’s bizarre to say the least. It has been speculated that this could be a move to dispose of obsolete or faulty components, but the mystery remains as to what other CPUs might be available.
Sawara-San, after obtaining the Core i7-8700 model, returned home to test the new gift. The CPU was not without its flaws, in fact one of its cores was functioning suboptimally. Despite this, the CPU still seemed quite functional, capable of running the operating system and completing benchmarks like Cinebench R15 and R23.
The chip, which under normal conditions should have featured six cores and twelve threads, appeared to be running with five cores and ten threads. This resulted slightly lower performance compared to a perfectly functioning example, but still notable given the circumstances.
This episode has aroused considerable curiosity regarding the hidden potential of this particular gachapon and what other treasures could be discovered within it. Despite his shortcomings, Sawara-San seems satisfied with his prize, considering the money he would have had to spend to obtain a similar component through traditional sales methods.
