Intel® Gen 13/14 K-SKU Desktop Processors Debug/Technical

Documentation

Product Information & Documentation

000099568

08/23/2024

Link to Summary Article for Gen 13/14 K-SKU Desktop Processors

Debug Status

In addition to extended warranty coverage, Intel has released three mitigations related to the instability issue—commonly experienced as consistent application crashes and repeated hangs—to help stabilize customer systems with Intel Core 13th and 14th gen desktop processors:

  1. Intel default settings to avoid elevated power delivery impact to the processor (May 2024)
  2. Microcode 0x125 to fix the eTVB issue in i9 processors (June 2024)
  3. Microcode 0x129 to address elevated voltages (August 2024)

Intel’s current analysis finds there is a significant increase to the minimum operating voltage (Vmin) across multiple cores on affected processors due to elevated voltages. Elevated voltage events can accumulate over time and contribute to the increase in Vmin for the processor.

The latest microcode update (0x129) will limit voltage requests above 1.55V as a preventative mitigation for processors not experiencing instability symptoms. This update will primarily improve operating conditions for K/KF/KS processors. Intel is in the process of confirming, based on extensive validation, that all future products will not be affected by this issue.

Intel is continuing to investigate mitigations for scenarios that can result in Vmin shift on potentially impacted Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors. Intel will provide updates by the end of August.

To be effective, the microcode patch (0x129) MUST be loaded via BIOS update. Please contact your system or motherboard manufacturer for BIOS updates containing this microcode update (0x129).

User steps to locate BIOS link:

  1. Go to PCT - Intel® Product Compatibility Tool.
  2. Click Desktop and Workstation Processor tile for drop down selection.
  3. Select Processor Family – For example, Intel® Core™ i9 Processors (14th gen).
  4. Select Generation – For example, Intel® Core™ i9.
  5. Select Processor – For example, i9-14900K.
  6. Click Search to see the full compatible MB list for the selected processor.
  7. Find the appropriate motherboard and click Latest for BIOS to follow the link to the motherboard manufacturer page to download their BIOS.
  8. The user can also filter the Product Compatibility tool by Motherboard manufacturer, chipset, or other components for more information.