Intel is facing a major issue with its 13th and 14th Gen Core desktop processors, with reports of widespread instability due to a manufacturing flaw. The problem has been traced back to erroneous CPU microcode, causing chips to demand more power than necessary and operating outside safe limits. The good news is that Intel has a fix in the works, expected to be ready later this month, but some processors may have already suffered irreparable damage.
The updated microcode to address the instability problem will need to be implemented through BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers or Windows updates, potentially causing delays in getting the fix to affected users. According to reports, as soon as a processor begins to crash, irreversible damage occurs, rendering the chip permanently damaged. Despite the severity of the issue, Intel has not issued a recall and is advising customers to contact support if they experience instability on their 13th or 14th Gen Intel Core systems.
Identifying which processors are affected has also proven to be a challenge, with Intel yet to provide a universal test for users to determine if their processor is at risk. The company has confirmed that processors with 65W or higher, including specific variants, could be impacted, but not all are affected. In the meantime, Intel recommends users stick to default settings, keep BIOS up to date, and wait for the imminent microcode patch to be released by partners.