SPECTRE and MELTDOWN: Bug rocks Intel / ARM CPUs

[segfaulted]

Kinda glad I bought AMD this round. For those who don't know there is a new bug affecting just about every SKU from Intel made in the last .. ohh.. _DECADE_ or so. It's actually worse then F00F or FDIV. Only mitigation appears to castrate the CPU upward of 30%! (depending on processes).

Can Asus confirm AMD and more importantly for me, this or any AMD motherboard are not affected? If so, will there be RMAs?

Fun fact, Intel's CEO dumped stock back in November before they started issuing gags on people from even talking about it.

*****ASUS advisory page(may get updated): https://www.asus.com/News/V5urzYAT6myCC1o2 ******

[zvober]

Renowned Linux kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman shared today some interesting details on the performance impact of the Meltdown and Spectre patches on the Linux kernel.
According to some recent benchmarks done by a user on some Linux systems running newer kernel versions on a particular network-heavy load, the recently released Linux 4.15 kernel appears to be between 7 and 9 percent faster than Linux kernel 4.11. But if the new KPTI (Kernel Page-Table Isolation) patches that mitigate the recently discovered Meltdown security vulnerability are enabled on the Linux 4.15 kernel, then the performance is just 1 or 2 percent slower than on systems running Linux kernel 4.11.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/linux-systems-running-newer-kernels-not-affected-by-meltdown-and-spec...

[SlackROG]

HempOil wrote:
And so it begins...

http://www.securityweek.com/malware-exploiting-spectre-meltdown-flaws-emerges

Hmm I guess they'll have to shut the Internet off for a while... LOL

zvober wrote:
Renowned Linux kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman shared today some interesting details on the performance impact of the Meltdown and Spectre patches on the Linux kernel.
According to some recent benchmarks done by a user on some Linux systems running newer kernel versions on a particular network-heavy load, the recently released Linux 4.15 kernel appears to be between 7 and 9 percent faster than Linux kernel 4.11. But if the new KPTI (Kernel Page-Table Isolation) patches that mitigate the recently discovered Meltdown security vulnerability are enabled on the Linux 4.15 kernel, then the performance is just 1 or 2 percent slower than on systems running Linux kernel 4.11.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/linux-systems-running-newer-kernels-not-affected-by-meltdown-and-spec...

4.15 user here, who rolls their own! WoOt

Runs great, as fast as any kernel I've ever used, no slow downs here! Vrooom 😉

[Volfin]

rmongiovi wrote:
You're not paying attention. Intel pulled the microcode and told OEMs to back it out. It causes reboots and data loss.

I don't give a crap. I want the fix. there's now over 100 viruses running around that explot meltdown and i'm sitting here with my ass flapping in the wind.

https://www.techrepublic.com/google-amp/article/spectre-and-meltdown-flaws-being-exploited-by-more-t...

I'll gladly take a random reboot over infection.

[alligator69]

Volfin wrote:
I don't give a crap. I want the fix. there's now over 100 viruses running around that explot meltdown and i'm sitting here with my ass flapping in the wind.

I'll gladly take a random reboot over infection.

Well, Intel has asked manufacturers to stop distributing the faulty microcode.

Feel free to contact Intel directly and let them know your feelings about this whole situation.
I’m sure they’ll care!
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-support.html

Let us know how it went!
(seriously though, if they tell you anything useful, do post)

[IT_Troll]

Volfin wrote:
I don't give a crap. I want the fix. there's now over 100 viruses running around that explot meltdown and i'm sitting here with my ass flapping in the wind.

https://www.techrepublic.com/google-amp/article/spectre-and-meltdown-flaws-being-exploited-by-more-t...

I'll gladly take a random reboot over infection.

*
Well if you really want you can update the microcode yourself without needing to wait for a firmware update. Method depends on OS. However, as all vendors are advising against this release I wouldn’t bother. Just make sure your web browser is up to date and has site isolation enabled.

[Korth]

Tinfoil Hat Linux doesn't seem so paranoid anymore, haha.

[IT_Troll]

Intel has released new production microcode for Skylake platforms to OEMs this week. Other platforms due in the coming days. Hopefully it has been well tested this time.

Should be a fairly straightforward job for ASUS to drop this into the latest BIOS update.

[xankazo]

You guys demanding your SPECTRE bios fix (rightfully so) and I'm here feeling hopeless with my old Maximus VI Hero. Last bios update was on September 19, 2014. 😞

[Axle_Grease]

xankazo wrote:
You guys demanding your SPECTRE bios fix (rightfully so) and I'm here feeling hopeless with my old Maximus VI Hero. Last bios update was on September 19, 2014. 😞

It's not just losing hope that Asus will bring out a BIOS update for older motherboards, but also patching the BIOS for old motherboards oneself. The Rampage V Extreme was easy, but finding the tools to patch the Rampage II Extreme BIOS is very frustrating. I'm thinking that it is even more hopeless for my PC illiterate or semi-illiterate workmates that use older PCs. They'll have to remain reliant on the protection provided by software updates, or upgrade. The latter is unlikely since they're generally tighwads and have a She'll-Be-Right-Mate attitude.

[yukirin]

Where is the update for ASUS ROG G551VW ?