Intel CPUs stability issue

This article discusses the stability issues related to Intel's 13th and 14th generation desktop processors, and how the company has handled the situation.

The problem

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.

Intel's first response

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.

This is Intel's official statement:

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.
Analysis of affected processors shows some parts experience shifts in minimum operating voltages which may be related to operation outside of Intel® specified operating conditions.

While the root cause has not yet been identified, Intel® has observed the majority of reports of this issue are from users with unlocked/overclock capable motherboards.

Intel® has observed 600/700 Series chipset boards often set BIOS defaults to disable thermal and power delivery safeguards designed to limit processor exposure to sustained periods of high voltage and frequency, for example: – Disabling Current Excursion Protection (CEP) – Enabling the IccMax Unlimited bit – Disabling Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) and/or Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB) – Additional settings which may increase the risk of system instability: – Disabling C-states – Using Windows Ultimate Performance mode – Increasing PL1 and PL2 beyond Intel® recommended limits

Intel® requests system and motherboard manufacturers to provide end users with a default BIOS profile that matches Intel® recommended settings.

Intel® strongly recommends customer’s default BIOS settings should ensure operation within Intel’s recommended settings.

In addition, Intel® strongly recommends motherboard manufacturers to implement warnings for end users alerting them to any unlocked or overclocking feature usage.

Intel® is continuing to actively investigate this issue to determine the root cause and will provide additional updates as relevant information becomes available.

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