Intel CPUs stability issue: Difference between revisions
fixed reference formatting |
m Add ids to deduplicate, fix some issues with refs, remove extra referances tags |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
<!-- Creator's note: This is my first article, it needs work for sure, contact me if it needs revision. -- | <!-- Creator's note: This is my first article, it needs work for sure, contact me if it needs revision. --> | ||
This article discusses the stability issues related to '''[[Intel]]'''<nowiki/>'s 13th and 14th generation desktop processors, and how the company has handled the situation. | This article discusses the stability issues related to '''[[Intel]]'''<nowiki/>'s 13th and 14th generation desktop processors, and how the company has handled the situation. | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
While the root cause of the problem was still unknown, part of it seemed to be caused by CPUs operating beyond recommended voltage, frequency, and thermal limits. According to Intel, most of the reports involve unlocked motherboards with BIOS settings that disable safeguards like '''Current Excursion Protection (CEP)''' and '''Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB)'''. Some motherboard manufacturers were also modifying the '''CPU load line''' configuration settings by default, optimizing it in order to make the processors run cooler. | While the root cause of the problem was still unknown, part of it seemed to be caused by CPUs operating beyond recommended voltage, frequency, and thermal limits. According to Intel, most of the reports involve unlocked motherboards with BIOS settings that disable safeguards like '''Current Excursion Protection (CEP)''' and '''Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB)'''. Some motherboard manufacturers were also modifying the '''CPU load line''' configuration settings by default, optimizing it in order to make the processors run cooler. | ||
====Official statement (April 27, 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallossek |first=Igor |date=27 Apr 2024 |title=Intel releases the “13th and 14th Generation K SKU Processor Instability Issue Update” |url=https://www.igorslab.de/en/intel-releases-the-13th-and-14th-generation-k-sku-processor-instability-issue-update/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website= | ====Official statement (April 27, 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallossek |first=Igor |date=27 Apr 2024 |title=Intel releases the “13th and 14th Generation K SKU Processor Instability Issue Update” |url=https://www.igorslab.de/en/intel-releases-the-13th-and-14th-generation-k-sku-processor-instability-issue-update/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Igor's LAB}}</ref>:==== | ||
<blockquote>Intel® has observed that this issue may be related to out of specification operating conditions resulting in sustained high voltage and frequency during periods of elevated heat. | <blockquote>Intel® has observed that this issue may be related to out of specification operating conditions resulting in sustained high voltage and frequency during periods of elevated heat. | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
After conducting analysis on the returned chips, Intel has determined that instability issues were caused by elevated operating voltage, stemming from a microcode algorithm that generated incorrect voltage requests. Customer support was organized as follows: users who purchased systems from OEMs or system integrators were directed to contact their vendor, those with boxed processors were advised to reach out to Intel Support, and tray processor users were instructed to contact their place of purchase. | After conducting analysis on the returned chips, Intel has determined that instability issues were caused by elevated operating voltage, stemming from a microcode algorithm that generated incorrect voltage requests. Customer support was organized as follows: users who purchased systems from OEMs or system integrators were directed to contact their vendor, those with boxed processors were advised to reach out to Intel Support, and tray processor users were instructed to contact their place of purchase. | ||
====Official statement (July 22, 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hannaford |first=Thomas |date=22 Jul 2024 |title=July 2024 Update on Instability Reports on Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen Desktop Processors |url=https://community.intel.com/t5/Processors/July-2024-Update-on-Instability-Reports-on-Intel-Core-13th-and/m-p/1617113 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Intel]]}}</ref>:==== | ====Official statement (July 22, 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hannaford |first=Thomas |date=22 Jul 2024 |title=July 2024 Update on Instability Reports on Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen Desktop Processors |url=https://community.intel.com/t5/Processors/July-2024-Update-on-Instability-Reports-on-Intel-Core-13th-and/m-p/1617113 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Intel]] |ref=Hannaford-1}}</ref>:==== | ||
<blockquote>Based on extensive analysis of Intel Core 13th/14th Gen desktop processors returned to us due to instability issues, we have determined that elevated operating voltage is causing instability issues in some 13th/14th Gen desktop processors. Our analysis of returned processors confirms that the elevated operating voltage is stemming from a microcode algorithm resulting in incorrect voltage requests to the processor. | <blockquote>Based on extensive analysis of Intel Core 13th/14th Gen desktop processors returned to us due to instability issues, we have determined that elevated operating voltage is causing instability issues in some 13th/14th Gen desktop processors. Our analysis of returned processors confirms that the elevated operating voltage is stemming from a microcode algorithm resulting in incorrect voltage requests to the processor. | ||
| Line 75: | Line 75: | ||
The issues mentioned above have led to some CPUs becoming irreversibly damaged, resulting in the '''Vmin shift'''. High operating temperatures cause the silicon in the processor to degrade, requiring a higher minimum voltage to operate stably. This, in turn, leads to even higher temperatures, creating a vicious cycle that ultimately results in the CPU failing. Intel has identified four key issues contributing to the instability. For the explanation of each issue, refer to the full statement below. | The issues mentioned above have led to some CPUs becoming irreversibly damaged, resulting in the '''Vmin shift'''. High operating temperatures cause the silicon in the processor to degrade, requiring a higher minimum voltage to operate stably. This, in turn, leads to even higher temperatures, creating a vicious cycle that ultimately results in the CPU failing. Intel has identified four key issues contributing to the instability. For the explanation of each issue, refer to the full statement below. | ||
====Official statement (September 25, 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hannaford |first=Thomas |date=25 Sep 2024 |title=Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen Desktop Instability Root Cause Update |url=https://community.intel.com/t5/Blogs/Tech-Innovation/Client/Intel-Core-13th-and-14th-Gen-Desktop-Instability-Root-Cause/post/1633446#M40 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Intel]]}}</ref>:==== | ====Official statement (September 25, 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hannaford |first=Thomas |date=25 Sep 2024 |title=Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen Desktop Instability Root Cause Update |url=https://community.intel.com/t5/Blogs/Tech-Innovation/Client/Intel-Core-13th-and-14th-Gen-Desktop-Instability-Root-Cause/post/1633446#M40 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Intel]] |ref=Hannaford-2}}</ref>:==== | ||
<blockquote>Following extensive investigation of the Intel® Core™ 13th and 14th Gen desktop processor Vmin Shift Instability issue, Intel can now confirm the root cause diagnosis for the issue. This post will cover Intel’s understanding of the root cause, as well as additional mitigations and next steps for Intel® Core™ 13th and 14th Gen desktop users. | <blockquote>Following extensive investigation of the Intel® Core™ 13th and 14th Gen desktop processor Vmin Shift Instability issue, Intel can now confirm the root cause diagnosis for the issue. This post will cover Intel’s understanding of the root cause, as well as additional mitigations and next steps for Intel® Core™ 13th and 14th Gen desktop users. | ||
| Line 126: | Line 126: | ||
===Increased competition and loss of market share=== | ===Increased competition and loss of market share=== | ||
According to reports from Mercury Research<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shilov |first=Anton |date=8 Nov 2024 |title=AMD's desktop PC market share skyrockets amid Intel's Raptor Lake CPU crashing scandal — AMD makes biggest leap in recent history |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/amds-desktop-pc-market-share-skyrockets-amid-intels-raptor-lake-crashing-scandal-amd-makes-biggest-leap-in-recent-history |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website= | According to reports from Mercury Research<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shilov |first=Anton |date=8 Nov 2024 |title=AMD's desktop PC market share skyrockets amid Intel's Raptor Lake CPU crashing scandal — AMD makes biggest leap in recent history |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/amds-desktop-pc-market-share-skyrockets-amid-intels-raptor-lake-crashing-scandal-amd-makes-biggest-leap-in-recent-history |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref>, AMD's market share for desktop CPUs in Q3 2024 was 9.6% higher compared to Q3 of the prior year. This growth could lead to a shift in market dynamics, potentially putting the competition at risk. Competition is essential for consumers because it drives companies to deliver better performance, efficiency, and value. | ||
Intel's loss in market share highlights the importance of competition for innovation. However, with only two major CPU manufacturers, Intel and AMD, a significant imbalance in market share could limit consumer choice and innovation in the long run. Ensuring healthy competition between both players remains crucial for a balanced and thriving market. | Intel's loss in market share highlights the importance of competition for innovation. However, with only two major CPU manufacturers, Intel and AMD, a significant imbalance in market share could limit consumer choice and innovation in the long run. Ensuring healthy competition between both players remains crucial for a balanced and thriving market. | ||