Intel particulars fixes for crashing Thirteenth- and 14th-gen CPUs as BIOS updates roll out

Intel has shared extra concerning the voltage-related points that affected some Thirteenth- and 14th-generation Core processors, as the corporate tries to place the episode behind it. As reported by Tom’s {Hardware}, Intel says that the issue originated with “elevated working voltage” stemming from “incorrect voltage requests,” particularly a rise to the minimal working voltage of the chips. These “elevated voltage occasions can accumulate over time,” ultimately damaging the processor and inflicting system hangs or crashes.

Intel has developed a microcode replace to repair these elevated voltage requests, however the dangerous information for some customers is that they may require a BIOS replace, and so they cannot be deployed through software program updates as some microcode fixes might be.

Intel says that usually, CPU efficiency must be basically unaffected by the patch, although the corporate did discover a handful of benchmark subscores and particular person video games that exhibited “average” slowdown (although we do not know the way a lot that’s, in concrete phrases). Here is the related assertion about efficiency:

Intel’s inside testing—using Intel Default Settings—signifies efficiency affect is inside run-to-run variation (eg. 3DMark: Timespy, WebXPRT 4, Cinebench R24, Blender 4.2.0) with a number of sub-tests exhibiting average impacts (WebXPRT On-line Homework; PugetBench GPU Results Rating). For gaming workloads examined, efficiency has additionally been inside run-to-run variation (eg. Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Whole Struggle: Warhammer III – Mirrors of Insanity) with one exception exhibiting barely extra affect (Hitman 3: Dartmoor). Nevertheless, system efficiency relies on configuration and several other different components.

For some PCs, significantly pre-built fashions, BIOS updates might be delivered through Home windows Replace or the OEM’s proprietary replace software program (Lenovo Vantage, Dell SupportAssist, the HP Assist Assistant, and the MyASUS app all being outstanding examples). For others, significantly boutique or home-built PCs, you might must go to your motherboard maker’s web site, search for your mannequin, and obtain and set up the BIOS replace manually.

Some motherboard makers have already launched updates for a few of their boards; MSI and ASRock are out with updates for many boards with 700-series chipsets, and Asus additionally has beta updates out there for some 700-series boards. Updates for barely older 600-series motherboards that additionally assist the Thirteenth- and 14th-generation CPUs ought to observe later. If the discharge notes point out microcode 0x129, meaning you are getting the replace.

Making use of the repair as quickly as attainable is essential, as a result of the voltage-related injury to your CPU cannot be reversed. When you’re noticing hangs and crashes, your CPU is already irreparably broken, and you may must have it changed or exchanged for a brand new one.

If it is advisable try this, the excellent news is that Intel is providing two further years of guarantee service to patrons of the affected CPUs, for a complete of 5 years of protection. Individuals who purchased retail boxed CPUs to put in of their self-built computer systems can contact Intel immediately; individuals who purchased one of many chips as a part of a pre-built system ought to typically be capable of get the identical degree of protection from the corporate that made the PC.

Affected processors embody all Ok, KF, and KS-series Core i5, i7, and i9 processors within the Thirteenth- and 14th-generation Core processor households, plus non-Ok-series Core i7 and Core i9 processors (regardless of the identify change, the chips are all based mostly on the identical Raptor Lake structure). Decrease-end Core i5 and Core i3 processors are unaffected, as are all Twelfth-generation Core processors.

Earlier this 12 months, Intel additionally tried to alleviate the issue by asking motherboard makers to stick to Intel’s default energy settings of their BIOS settings. Although these did not find yourself being the foundation reason behind the crashes, the elevated voltage settings or energy limits utilized by a few of these motherboards might exacerbate or speed up the issue.

And Intel’s efforts proceed. The corporate mentioned earlier this month that it was engaged on a manner for customers to simply take a look at whether or not their CPU had been broken or not. And the corporate’s assertion at the moment reiterated that Intel was nonetheless wanting into different attainable fixes.

“Intel is constant to analyze mitigations for eventualities that may end up in Vmin shift on doubtlessly impacted Intel Core Thirteenth and 14th Gen desktop processors,” the assertion reads. “Intel will present updates by finish of August.”