Intel continues investigation into CPU instability, denies pinpointing root cause

Intel continues investigation into CPU instability, denies pinpointing root cause


Intel has denied reports claiming it has found the root cause of instability issues with some 13th and 14th generation desktop CPUs and is still investigating. The company, along with its partners, is working to address user reports of instability in these processors. A spokesperson for Intel clarified that while a microcode patch has been released to address an eTVB bug, it is not the sole reason for the issues.

The internal statement obtained by Igor Wallosek from Igorslab.de pointed to a change in the minimum operating voltage on affected processors due to high voltage input caused by previous BIOS settings. Intel has identified high voltage input as a significant factor contributing to the problem. The company has requested customers to update their BIOS to microcode 0x125 or later to address the issue.

The eTVB feature, which increases clock speed based on thermal conditions, may be partly to blame for the instability in these CPUs. However, it is not the root cause of the problem, according to the report. Intel had initially aimed to provide more information on the issue by the end of May, but the deadline has been postponed without a new timeline.

Owners of high-performance CPUs from the 13th and 14th generations, particularly the “K” series, have reported stability issues, with Nvidia also urging Intel to address the situation. Hardware reviewers and motherboard partners have expressed frustration over the lack of awareness of the issue and the challenges faced in resolving it. Some motherboard makers released BIOS updates only to withdraw them later due to performance issues or inadequate fixes for voltage supply problems.

Falcon Northwest, a systems integrator, has tested and recommended an Asus BIOS update released on May 31 as meeting Intel’s core recommendations and potentially stabilizing CPUs while maintaining performance. The company advised users to install this BIOS update to prevent CPU burnout and improve stability.

Overall, Intel is still investigating the instability issues with some 13th and 14th generation desktop CPUs and has not identified the root cause yet. Users are encouraged to update their BIOS to address the problem, and ongoing efforts are being made to resolve the issue and improve the performance of affected processors.

Article Source
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2368768/intel-denies-root-cause-found-for-cpu-instability-continues-to-investigate.html