Intel Admits No Fix For 13th And 14th Gen CPU Instability, Microcode Patch Arriving Soon
Users running these processors should be cautious.
By Syazwan Bahri — 29 Jul 2024, 07:03 PM
Intel has announced that there's no solution for the instability issues already affecting some 13th and 14th Generation desktop CPUs
The company plans to release a microcode patch in mid-August to address the root cause, but any damage that has already occurred can't be undone.
This issue mainly impacts 13th and 14th Gen desktop CPUs that consume 65W or more power, largely due to exposure to high voltages.
Here's why the chips are malfunctioning:
Intel's advisory states that faulty CPU microcode is the main cause of the ongoing instability issues. This microcode causes the CPU to request higher voltage levels, causing the processor to operate beyond safe limits.
As previously mentioned, Intel is currently validating a microcode patch to fix the problem, which is expected to be released in mid-August. This patch will be distributed through BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers and Windows updates, so availability for end users may vary.
The microcode patch will not fix processors that are already experiencing crashes, but it should prevent issues on processors that aren't currently affected.
Some instability reports have also been linked to an oxidation manufacturing issue that was resolved last year
An Intel spokesperson told The Verge that the company isn't recalling or halting sales of the affected processors. Instead, they recommend that customers with unstable chips contact Intel Customer Support for assistance. Intel is also exploring methods to easily identify affected or at-risk processors in users' systems.
Intel has neither specified how many chips might be irreversibly impacted nor explained the warranty replacement process
While the company is committed to helping customers with replacements, they haven't mentioned extending warranties for affected processors. The issue seems to not affect laptop processors, but Intel is still investigating to confirm this.
