Intel has encountered significant difficulties this year with its 13th- and 14th-generation Core CPUs, largely due to a production error that has resulted in overheating, high voltages, and subsequent crashes for users. This issue has caused permanent damage to the processors, ultimately impacting their longevity.
After two months of investigation and the promise of solutions, Intel has now identified an additional root cause of the overheating problem. Although minor BIOS updates have been released, this latest announcement signifies a pivotal development in resolving the ongoing issues.
Key Factors Behind Intel CPU Damage
The primary issue at hand involves a condition referred to as “Vmin shift instability,” characterized by an unexpected increase in the minimum operating voltage. This situation has led to repeated crashes and error notifications that users of Core CPUs have reported this year. The complexity of Vmin shift lies in the multiple factors that can contribute to it, which has delayed the resolution process.
Intel’s recent announcement is a significant milestone, revealing the findings from its thorough investigation, which has potentially uncovered the last factor contributing to Vmin shift instability in Core CPUs. Here are the identified causes along with their respective solutions:
- Power Delivery Settings: Excessive motherboard settings beyond Intel’s power guidance.
- Mitigation: Implementation of Intel’s Default Settings recommendations for 13th and 14th Gen processors.
- eTVB Microcode Algorithm: Permitting Core i9 desktop processors to operate at higher performance states, even under elevated temperatures.
- Mitigation: Microcode update 0x125 (June 2024) addresses the issue.
- Microcode SVID Algorithm: Requesting high voltages at frequencies and durations that could trigger Vmin shift.
- Mitigation: Microcode update 0x129 (August 2024) resolves these high voltage requests.
- Elevated Core Voltage Requests: Microcode and BIOS code prompting high voltages during idle or light activities.
- Mitigation: The release of microcode 0x12B, which integrates updates 0x125 and 0x129, aims to address this issue.
Intel maintains that users should not notice any performance changes with the new BIOS update, although it advises that CPUs may still experience their usual fluctuations. If your CPU has already experienced damage from Vmin shift, the BIOS update will not be able to remedy it, as the damage is permanent. These updates are intended to protect unaffected CPUs in the future.
Following feedback, Intel has extended the warranty period for certain CPUs to five years, so users are encouraged to take advantage of this option if they qualify.
Acquiring the BIOS Update
According to Intel, the microcode patch is currently being provided to motherboard manufacturers, who will subsequently distribute it through BIOS updates to their users. This process may take several days to weeks, depending on the manufacturer. Users should check their motherboard manufacturer’s support pages regularly for updates and download the appropriate BIOS patch.