[Intel] Sept 2024 (Update on Instability Reports on Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen Desktop Processors

[Silent_Scone]

September 25th Update:

Beta BIOS Links (microcode 0x12B)

Note: Some pages may not have propagated, please check back later

• ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO

• ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO EVA-02 EDITION

• ROG MAXIMUS Z790 DARK HERO

• ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX

• ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX ENCORE

• ROG MAXIMUS Z790 FORMULA

• ROG MAXIMUS Z790 EXTREME

• ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO BTF

• ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI

• ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI II

• ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI

• ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI II

• ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI

• ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI II

• ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI D4

• ROG STRIX Z790-H GAMING WIFI

• ROG STRIX Z790-I GAMING WIFI

• PROART Z790-CREATOR
  
  Z690
  

• ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO
• ROG MAXIMUS Z690 HERO EVA EDITION
• ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX
• ROG MAXIMUS Z690 FORMULAROG MAXIMUS Z690 EXTREME
• ROG MAXIMUS Z690 EXTREME GLACIAL
• ROG STRIX Z690-I GAMING WIFI
• ROG STRIX Z690-A GAMING WIFI
• ROG STRIX Z690-A GAMING WIFI D4
• ROG STRIX Z690-G GAMING WIFI
• ROG STRIX Z690-F GAMING WIFI
• ROG STRIX Z690-E GAMING WIFI

Z760

• PROART B760-CREATOR
• PROART B760-CREATOR D4
• PROART B760-CREATOR WIFI
  
  Intel Community Forum
  Intel has localized the Vmin Shift Instability issue to a clock tree circuit within the IA core which is particularly vulnerable to reliability aging under elevated voltage and temperature. Intel has observed these conditions can lead to a duty cycle shift of the clocks and observed system instability.  

Intel has identified four (4) operating scenarios that can lead to Vmin shift in affected processors:

1. Motherboard power delivery settings exceeding Intel power guidance. 
   a.  Mitigation: Intel Default Settings recommendations for Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors.  
2. eTVB Microcode algorithm which was allowing Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen i9 desktop processors to operate at higher performance states even at high temperatures. 
   a.  Mitigation: microcode 0x125 (June 2024) addresses eTVB algorithm issue.  
3. Microcode SVID algorithm requesting high voltages at a frequency and duration which can cause Vmin shift. 
   a.  Mitigation: microcode 0x129 (August 2024) addresses high voltages requested by the processor.  
4. Microcode and BIOS code requesting elevated core voltages which can cause Vmin shift especially during periods of idle and/or light activity. 
   a.  Mitigation: Intel is releasing microcode 0x12B, which encompasses 0x125 and 0x129 microcode updates, and addresses elevated voltage requests by the processor during idle and/or light activity periods.  

Regarding the 0x12B update, Intel is working with its partners to roll out the relevant BIOS update to the public.

Intel’s internal testing comparing 0x12B microcode to 0x125 microcode – on Intel® Core™ i9-14900K with DDR5 5200MT/s memory1  - indicates performance impact is within run-to-run variation (ie. Cinebench* R23, Speedometer*, WebXPRT4*, Crossmark*). For gaming workloads on Intel® Core™ i9-14900K with DDR5 5600MT/s memory2, performance is also within run-to-run variation (ie. Shadow of the Tomb Raider*, Cyberpunk* 2077, Hitman 3: Dartmoor*, Total War: Warhammer III – Mirrors of Madness*). However, system performance is dependent on configuration and several other factors.

Intel® reaffirms that both Intel® Core™ 13th and 14th Gen mobile processors and future client product families – including the codename Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake families - are unaffected by the Vmin Shift Instability issue. We appreciate our customers’ patience throughout the investigation, as well as our partners’ support in the analysis and relevant mitigations. 

______________________________

August 2024

Hi all,

This update will be pinned here for clarity on the ongoing situation with some 13th and 14th-gen CPUs experiencing instability exhibited at stock.

Intel has issued the following statement (07/22/2024)

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 in some 13th/14th Gen desktop processors. 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.

Intel is delivering a microcode patch which addresses the root cause of exposure to elevated voltages. We are continuing validation to ensure that scenarios of instability reported to Intel regarding its Core 13th/14th Gen desktop processors are addressed. Intel is currently targeting mid-August for patch release to partners following full validation.

Intel is committed to making this right with our customers, and we continue asking any customers currently experiencing instability issues on their Intel Core 13th/14th Gen desktop processors reach out to Intel Customer Support for further assistance.

https://community.intel.com/t5/Processors/July-2024-Update-on-Instability-Reports-on-Intel-Core-13th...

For CPUs that exhibit unstable behaviour

Ensure you're on the latest BIOS for your motherboard

Update your motherboard BIOS to the latest revision containing microcode 0x125. Whilst this ucode revision does not resolve the issue, Intel has clarified that it contains fixes within microcode pertinent to Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (ETVB) behaviour that results in unexpected boost behaviour under certain thermal conditions.

Use Intel Base Profiles
The latest BIOS for your motherboard should contain Performance Preference options for Intel Base profiles. Ensure Intel Default Settings is selected. If using a 13th-Gen or 14th Gen i9 processor, choose Profile Performance.
If not selected already, ensure that SVID Behaviour is set to Intel Fail Safe

My CPU is running hotter using Intel Base Profiles than Asus Optimised, is this normal?
Yes, it can be normal for your CPU to run hotter than usual when using Intel base profiles. This occurs because following Intel's guidelines more closely often results in higher core voltages under certain workloads. Previously, motherboard vendors set the Load-Line Calibration (LLC) lower than Intel's recommendations to achieve lower temperatures while still delivering high performance. However, depending on your motherboard adhering to Intel's guidelines can lead to increased voltages whilst operating within Intel's current limits. This can result in higher operating temperatures depending on the workload.

Disable XMP

XMP is considered overclocking. To eliminate overclocking instability XMP should be disabled if experiencing crashing or unstable behaviour. Be sure to retest the behaviour at DRAM defaults.

Evaluate Cooling

Ensure your CPU cooling is working within the expected realms. If still experiencing instability under the conditions described above, consider reapplying the thermal application and removing any third-party CPU contact frames which may impact signal integrity.

Is my CPU damaged?

If still experiencing instability at Optimised Defaults [Intel - Performance / Extreme Profile] with XMP overclocking disabled, you will need to contact Intel.

I've read there was a fabrication issue with oxidisation, Intel has confirmed it.
This issue is unrelated to the ETVB behaviour and firmware and is a physical defect. Currently,  Intel has gone on record to state that a number of 13th-generation CPUs from 2023 are potentially impacted by this issue

ASUS FAQ

[Kounsel]

I tried the update. Z690 Hero with 14900k. Gave me error 55 (no memory installed). Had to flashback. Tried two different ram sticks 5200, and 6400. Works again now on the older BIOS.

[Chrissi84]

what about the B760-F? Still Beta since 30.09.24 (?). Saw that the bigger Brother Z790-F left mid. Oct. the beta status 😕

Do you know if something is changed from beta to final version, for example of Z790-F? Or is it "just" a test to see if anything works fine and than rename the beta to full version?

[Yuvaletzi]

I won’t advice you to update anyways because of the 800mhz throttle but it just my opinion, latency much worse now , I think you’ll be fine with 0X129 and wait till things get clearer , I’m with hope that ASUS will hear us and send a fix for it , if I knew this before that C1E state is that aggressive I wouldn’t update and keep IA VR on 1.40V limit but hey it’s just my opinion 

[industria]

The C1E state is an idle state that will not impact your PC's performance while in use.

P.S. It has been mentioned that there is an option to maintain full speed even in the idle state, which is essentially "fixing" forced C1E.

[Yuvaletzi]

As ASUS aka Intel forced on us this settings there’s no way to disable it it’s on for always no matter what you gonna do only third party app like throttle stop or process lasso can help here but I want to keep my PC as clean as I can I don’t want any app to control my cpu ,  but they won’t give me other choice that why I’m so angry about this , cause there’s also “important” settings that Intel recommends to use but they won’t forced us to use them also like you can still fry your chip with bad OC , it’s a complete mess and I don’t understand what’s going on I just want my performance back, for me far cry 6 more laggy because of the C1E state the cpu can still throttle to 800mhz while gaming if you using the menu for some reason and it still laggy and also the game it self is more laggy! For me it’s a total mess and I hope that will be a fix (new bios update) that not an app soon! 

There’s also a thread that use their pc for audio and proof that C1E state causes them issues and bad latency compare to previous bios versions. These days I’m talking with ASUS support feel free to send me a DM with your experience and tests compare to other bios versions 

[industria]

I upgraded from the May BIOS to the final Version 4001, and here’s my quick feedback. Keep in mind that my system has a non-standard configuration, so you may or may not see the same changes. Importantly, anything that didn’t change remains consistent, and that’s a key point. After applying the same settings in the BIOS, here’s what I observed:

• Memory latency: No change, zero difference.
• Settings stability: No issues, everything seems to work fine.
• Voltage (VID/Vcore): Slight increase, possibly due to my specific settings.
• Power consumption: Increased by about +25W, likely due to higher voltage.
• CPU-Z multicore score: Slightly improved, likely due to higher power draw.
• CPU-Z single-core score: No change.
• Pre-existing quirks: Same as before, likely due to my unique settings (not relevant for general use).

No clear benefits so far, but I’ll need more time to assess.

Notable downside: C1E state is forced in performance mode, which causes the motherboard to run at full speed and throttle simultaneously when idle. This leads to core speeds jumping between 3–6GHz, creating noticeable MOSFET noise. While minor for most users, it’s a deal-breaker for me. My system is meant to be silent, and this disrupts that goal—something I’ll remember when considering future purchases.

Overall: The update went smoothly, with no other issues to report.

P.S. My Vcore is at 1.3V and stays there with 5.8GHz on all Cores adaptive Voltage mode.
p.p.s. less but not least, ddr4.

update: ThrottleStop works, but not needed.

[Chrissi84]

More an off-topic but could be a problem for 13th/14th users: I noticed that Black Ops 6 push my 13500 on 100% and also push the temps high. In the integrated bo6 benchmark it  says, that the cpu bootle neck 99 percent. But if I take a look on the web, a lot of users with amd and intel reports a high temp and max stress problem with the game. Conclusion: it could be a problem for us (14th/13th) without the newest microcode. The problem came up for some days with a small bo6 update.

[achugh]

I am currently on BIOS 1503 (see below) for my Z790 DARK HERO board. When I go to CPU Power Management the help text shown at the bottom read "Enables/Disables C1E. When enabled, CPU slows down to minimum speed when all cores enter the C-state." Has anyone proven that this help test is right or wrong? 

If this text is correct then C1E is only enabled where there is NO LOAD (since all cores have to enter C-state) compared to the new BIOS which I think is enabling C1E all the time. Does the new BIOS come with a new help text?

BIOS-1503-Main-PageC1E-Help-Text-For-BIOS-1503

[Yuvaletzi]

Hey my friend have you revert to BIOS 1503 from 1703 without any issues? if so I might do that as well, can't stand the latency and laggings I have now on Far Cry 6 menu, You've proven now that it's new C1E on 1703 is bugged, cause even on light-medium load it keep kicks in aggressively and for example my friend have Aorus MOBO and another Gigabyte mobo and this only kicks in while IDLE for long time and only one core goes to 800MHZ on Asus it way much aggressive, hope for fix soon before I break down and go back to BIOS 1503 =\

[achugh]

Hi @Yuvaletzi NO, I have not reverted anything as can be seen from my BIOS 1503 screenshot showing the older ME version. Once BIOS is updated this ME Firmware version becomes latest and even when you revert back to an older version, it will show you the latest ME version from the 1704 BIOS only. I have seen couple of thread here where people have reverted back to 1503 without issues.