0
0
Intel Investigation into High-End Processor Crashes
Recently, it was reported that Intel’s latest high-end Core i9 and Core i7 processors were experiencing crashes and other unusual issues while running certain games. Intel promptly initiated an investigation to identify the root cause of the problem and find a solution to address it.
Intel’s Findings and Recommendations
An official statement from Intel, which was acquired by Igor’s Lab, indicates that the investigation into the processor instability issues is nearing completion. Intel has expressed concerns about enthusiast motherboard manufacturers who are altering power limits and disabling essential safeguards in an attempt to boost processor performance beyond the intended specifications.
- Disabling Current Excursion Protection (CEP)
- Enabling the IccMax Unlimited bit
- Disabling Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) and/or Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB)
- Additional settings that could lead to system instability
- Disabling C-states
- Using Windows Ultimate Performance mode
- Increasing PL1 and PL2 beyond Intel recommended limits
Intel recommends that motherboard manufacturers release BIOS updates that adhere to Intel’s suggested default settings for these configurations. The company plans to issue a public statement detailing its investigation findings and specific BIOS recommendations in May 2024.
Impacted Processors and Performance Headroom
The affected processors primarily include the high-end unlocked Core i9 CPUs such as the i9-13900K and i9-14900K, in addition to the KF and KS variants of these models. Reports have also surfaced regarding issues with the i7-13700K and i7-14700K processors. These processors represent enhanced versions of Intel’s 12th-generation Alder Lake lineup, boasting increased core counts and higher clock speeds.
Intel customarily launches K-series processors to cater to the overclocking community, yet the current situation reveals limited performance margins due to the aggressive clock speeds and voltages already utilized by Intel to achieve incremental performance gains.
Intel has been approached to confirm the authenticity of the statement obtained by Igor’s Lab. Should the statement prove genuine, further insights into Intel’s recommended power settings are expected in the coming month. Moreover, consumers can anticipate BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers that align with Intel’s guidelines to reinstate critical safeguards for these premium processors.
Image/Photo credit: source url
