Intel to deliver fix for ‘unstable’ Raptor Lake CPUs

Intel has promised to deliver a fix for some of its recent desktop processors suffering “stability issues.”

In June, Chipzilla finally admitted it had confirmed reports that some of its 13th- and 14th-gen silicon – aka Raptor Lake – is wonky on account of “elevated voltage input to the processor due to previous BIOS settings which allow the processor to operate at turbo frequencies and voltages even while the processor is at a high temperature.”

Users had spotted that instability months earlier, and we covered their anger at symptoms such as crashes and memory corruption.

Chipzilla has confirmed the problems are real, and promised a fix.

“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,” communications manager Thomas Hannaford wrote in a Monday post.

“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,” he added.

The good news is that microcode can be changed, and Intel plans to offer affected users the chance to do just that in mid-August

“Intel is delivering a microcode patch which addresses the root cause of exposure to elevated voltages,” Hannaford’s post states, with the silicon-slinger currently testing to ensure its revised code makes the problem go away.

The chip shop has previously explained the problem is present in “Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen (K/KF/KS) desktop processors.”

“K” denotes processors with integrated graphics and which can be overclocked. “KF” parts require external GPUs. “KS” kit is for enthusiasts who probably have opinions about the qualities of different thermal pastes as they push their processors to Intel’s highest possible clock speeds.

The Register has consulted Intel’s Ark database listing its processors and found 23 devices in each of the 13th and 14th generations of Core desktop processors – 46 in all – with only 13 bearing one or other of the “K” identifiers.

Which is decent news for Intel – it means a minority of the range has the problem. And of course desktops are now around 20 percent of the PC market, so the majority of Chipzilla’s products aren’t impacted.

Raptor Lake debuted in 2022 and brought with it a blend of cores tuned for performance or efficiency.

None of the voltage-challenged processors include the neural processing unit that denotes an “AI PC” – because Intel is yet to deliver silicon that brings desktop computers into that category.

Intel is “is currently targeting mid-August for patch release to partners following full validation.”

At that point, owners of the afflicted chips will need to check in with the brand that built their boxen, and endure all the fun of a finnicky microcode upgrade. Penguinistas may have the best of it, as Linux users can sometimes upgrade from within the OS.

Intel offers guidance on microcode updates here. ®