Recent developments surrounding Intel’s 13th and 14th Gen desktop CPUs highlight persistent instability issues, despite Intel’s denial of having pinpointed a definitive root cause. The controversy revolves around claims from Igor Wallosek of Igorslab.de, citing an internal statement linking the problem to an incorrect value within the microcode algorithm governing Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB).
Wallosek’s report suggests that elevated core voltages, influenced by BIOS settings enabling turbo frequencies even at high temperatures, contribute to instability. Intel advises users to update BIOS versions with a fix intended to mitigate eTVB-related issues. However, Intel’s anticipated resolution timeline has slipped, leaving both consumers and industry partners in limbo.
The situation has drawn criticism from hardware reviewers and motherboard manufacturers, who grapple with balancing performance and stability through BIOS updates. System integrator Falcon Northwest reports progress in testing BIOS updates but acknowledges ongoing challenges in achieving consistent CPU stability across affected models.