Intel has provided a long-awaited update on instability issues affecting 13th-gen and 14th-gen CPUs. According to Thomas Hannaford, Intel’s communications manager, the instability is attributed to a microcode error that results in incorrect voltage numbers, leading to processor instability.
Intel is set to release a microcode patch that addresses the root cause of the elevated voltage exposure. The update is expected to be available in mid-August. In the meantime, users experiencing instability are encouraged to contact Intel’s support team for assistance. The discovery of the microcode error was a result of Intel’s review of processors returned due to stability issues, indicating an effort to rectify the situation for affected users.
Previously, Intel had provided guidance on adjusting BIOS settings to mitigate performance issues, but the upcoming microcode update aims to tackle the underlying processor issue, potentially improving the situation for users of Intel’s recent high-end CPUs.
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The timing of Intel’s update is noteworthy, as it comes shortly before AMD’s Ryzen 9000 desktop CPU launch. The instability issues with 13th-gen and 14th-gen CPUs are likely to be a topic of discussion, with some, like Gamer’s Nexus, withholding recommendations for Intel CPUs until the stability concerns are addressed.
In addition, Intel has not addressed several other issues raised since the instability problems emerged. Investigations have shown that even servers running 13th-gen and 14th-gen CPUs experience instability despite conservative power settings.
Several months have passed since initial reports of instability surfaced. Typically, microcode issues are resolved within days, raising questions about why it took Intel so long to identify the microcode error. Further clarification from Intel on this delay is awaited.
While Intel’s efforts to address the issue are promising, the instability saga is ongoing. Given the scale and duration of the problem, it remains unclear if a microcode error causing incorrect voltages is the sole root cause. The release of the microcode update in mid-August will provide more clarity on whether the stability situation improves.
