Intel Identifies Voltage Instability in Core 13th and 14th Gen Processors: New Update Released

Intel has pinpointed four specific scenarios causing voltage stability issues in its Core 13th and 14th-gen processors and released a new update to tackle the problem. Customers have faced ongoing instability issues since 2022, but it wasn't until July 2023 that Intel discovered elevated operating voltages were the root cause. The issue stemmed from faulty microcode algorithms, which sent incorrect voltage requests to the processors. Microcodes are low-level instructions that control how hardware functions. To address this, Intel promised to release microcode patches aimed at fixing the underlying cause of these voltage surges.

In its recent community post, Intel detailed the four scenarios that can lead to voltage instability:

1. Motherboard Power Delivery: Settings exceeding Intel's power guidance for processors.
2. Overperformance in High Temperatures: A microcode algorithm that enabled higher performance states, even under extreme heat. A patch for this was released in June.
3. Frequent High Voltage Requests: Another algorithm requested elevated voltages too frequently, causing instability. A patch for this issue was released in August.
4. Idle or Light Activity Voltage Surges: The most recent issue, addressed by the new 0x12B microcode patch, involves processors making high voltage requests even during light tasks or idle periods.

Intel is distributing the 0x12B patch to motherboard manufacturers, who will need to deploy it as a BIOS update. While Intel is collaborating with partners to speed up the rollout, it could still take a few weeks before all affected systems receive the fix.

These voltage stability issues have been responsible for frequent system crashes and complete hardware failures in affected PCs. Unfortunately, Intel’s patches cannot fix PCs that have already started showing symptoms of voltage instability. In light of the ongoing problems, Intel extended the warranties on its Core 13th and 14th-gen processors by two years. This extension allows customers to replace defective processors, which is a relief, especially for those whose computers may still work but could eventually fail.

For Intel users experiencing instability or concerned about potential issues, keeping an eye out for BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers will be crucial to ensuring system longevity.