Intel CPUs stability issue: Difference between revisions

Some users have reported system crashes, freezes, and instability during intensive workloads, particularly in applications that require high CPU usage. At first, the exact causes of this problem were unclear, prompting Intel to investigate and release official statements.

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.

'''Intel® will be publishing a public statement regarding issue status and Intel® recommended BIOS setting recommendations targeted for May 2024.'''</blockquote>

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.

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The PR department subsequently updated the statement on [https://www.reddit.com/r/intel/comments/1e9mf04/intel_core_13th14th_gen_desktop_processors/ Reddit], integrating crucial details. A via oxidation manufacturing issue affected some early 13th Gen desktop processors, and it was resolved with improvements and screens in 2023. Analysis of instability reports seemed to indicate that a small percentage of cases were linked to this defect. It has also been confirmed that mobile 13th and 14th generation processors are not affected by any of these issues.<blockquote>So that you don't have to hun down the answer -> '''Questions about manufacturing or Via Oxidation as reported by Tech outlets:'''

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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.

[[File:Immagine 2025-01-28 101045.png|thumb|Intel's 10-K for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023]]

Looking at the 10-K reports from recent years, a clear decline in net revenue, net income, and its percentage can be observed. The most alarming trend is the sharp drop in net income percentage, which plummeted from 25.1% in 2021 to just 3.1% in 2023.

Instability issues have further damaged the company image for reliability, potentially leading to higher costs and contributing to the already negative revenue trend.

According to reports from Mercury Research, 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.