[INTEL]-How To Update Your Microcode for Intel HX 13/14th CPUs Laptops/Mobile Easily.

[Da-BOSS]

Let me start with a small background info...

Since we know all Intel's fiasco about what is happening with Raptor Lake/Raptor Lake Refresh which is Intel's codename for the 13th and 14th generations of Intel Core processors, Most OEM/Vendors doesn't want to provide BIOS update that includes microcode update along with required updated Intel ME FW in order to work more effectively.

Since most laptops got outdated Intel ME FW & outdated microcode... this has become a serious problem since the CPUID of Intel HX 13/14th CPUs share the same code with Desktop variants and hence it should be considered Intel HX 13/14th CPUs as a Desktop CPU in a laptop case.

So it means they share the same impact as Desktop variants even if it doesn't boost enough to be of a concern, it does have relevancy and you now have the option to use this very simple driver that I am sharing it to you here on any Intel HX 13/14th CPUs Laptops/Mobile as long as it has CPUID of B0671.

Either way the requirement of updated Intel ME FW are just only mandatory when used in conjunction with any new microcode (If it's needed) in the BIOS but outside BIOS like... while running Windows or Linux this requirement of having an updated Intel ME FW is just optional.

Thanks to this VMware CPU Microcode Update Driver I can use it on any windows without needing to mess with the BIOS. Safest thing to update microcode.

Now... How to check if you got the latest microcode update or not? By simply check through HWINO64 or AIDA64 or even if you are using ThrottleStop tool will tell you which microcode you are using.

Here's some examples how it is shown which microcode are you using through various tools...

HWINFO64

AIDA64

ThrottleStop

Now fortunately I already packed it for you & ready to use without any further work required. Saving you the time to do it.

For the next part... You need to download this .zip file and extract it. Simply run the "Install.bat" file as an administrator.

The .zip file attached on this post look at the end of this post.

It shouldn't even take long and only few seconds and you will see this window... which is success.

You can even check the event viewer which confirms the success operation and applying the new microcode update.

Notice:- If doesn't update your microcode and it shows failing to apply microcode on event viewers... you need to disable virtualization either through Windows or simply go inside your BIOS and disable Intel virtualization and VT-d in the BIOS. This would allow the driver work!

September Microcode Update aka [0x12B]

New microcode update got released! This is the September microcode update which now they call it 0x12B .Please if you are using the 0x129 microcode previously then simply download the latest .zip pack from the attachment of this main post. Simply run uninstall.bat as admin [by right clicking on the file and choose "Run as Administrator"  and then run install.bat as an admin. 

No need to reboot, You just updated your microcode! Yes... it's that simple!

If you ever wanted to uninstall your updated microcode for whatever reasons... simply run "uninstall.bat" file as an administrator & reboot your laptop.

[Ladds]

That is why I already ignored this troll. The same cpu hahaha. Good joke mate. Do not follow him or the update because your cpu will start overheating, as I’ve written above. Every desktop user after this update has got an issue with overheating, because of some genius microcode. Go and check youtube for yourself. It seems that nothing, but this update will lead to damage of your cpu. 

[Da-BOSS]

It's your laptop, it's your choice. No one is forcing anyone hands to use it.

[hexaae]

Intel's new Microcode 0x129 Performance Impact TESTED! (youtube.com)

at around 13:41 is interesting...

[Silent_Scone]

The data pattern changes.

Different loads cause different swings in current.

[dreamlexa]

i confirm problem with CPU i9-13980HX

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/rog-strix-series/rog-scar-16-17-18-gaming-laptops-and-intel-13th-and-1...

[rw0x]

Please, share your full model name and region.

Hey, does anyone have a model like this (with a 13980HX) that's been running great for over a year now?

[Lucifer_X_Devil]

Even I was facing memory access errors on my 2023 Scar 18 and I shrugged them off as a potential corruption of Windows files/registry. Now after reading this and the BIOS 329 thread I finally know that the CPU is actually degrading and after reading DreamLexa's Intel thread, I am a hundred percent certain that Intel won't help with anything. Asus needs to start an RMA program to replace devices that are facing these errors with same or newer models after releasing an official patch for the HX CPUs. I wish I had kept the screenshots of the memory access errors but they occurred up till 2 months ago. Ever since I have removed all undervolt  on the CPU and so far I have faced very few memory access errors or Blue screens.

When the issues used to happen:

1. When shutting down the computer. Memory access errors.

2. Frequent USB disconnects.

3. Blue screens on Virtual Machine with a list of memory address on the top left.

4. Frequent Bluescreens while watching any video on any streaming app like Netflix, Amazon prime and sometimes even YouTube on Opera GX. Many times the apps itself would crash. 

5. Extremely buggy and laggy RGB on the laptop alone. I have an Asus keyboard and the RGB worked fine on that. 

6. Random bluescreens while gaming. 

7. Worst issue out of all, my device can't handle an undervolt beyond the -80 mV applied from BIOS with literally no improvement in temps or synthetic benchmark scores. 

8. The device would literally take 10-15 minutes to shut down. 

It's been around 2 months since I completely reinstalled windows and now I hardly run an undervolt because the game "Red Dead Redemption 2" does not run on my machine with any undervolt applied (Someone please confirm if this is an issue or not on their device too). So far I haven't faced any more memory reference or access errors, very few USB disconnects, seldom does it crash while watching any video although to be honest my experience is so ruined that I've stopped watching any movie or video on the device and the laptop shuts down quick enough every single time. 

Thank you for reading this. I hope Asus allows RMA of defective 13/14th gen HX cpu laptops.  

[Silent_Scone]

@Lucifer_X_Devil 

Not the best if not actually an example at all.

1. If you’re running a 0.80v undervolt below the default operating voltage then this isn’t stock.

2. Changes in environment such as temperature or humidity can have an impact on overclocking or undervolting behaviour, or even at stock if the thermal application requires attention. 

Long-term instabilities from undervolting can present as software crashes, blue screens, random system shutdowns, visual artifacts, or audio glitches. These issues might only emerge after several weeks of use, particularly in the borderline area between "stable" and "unstable."

3. The fact the system by your admission is stable at the default operating voltage means the CPU simply isn't comfortable running an undervolt, this could also be attributed to high ambients and operating temperatures which results in elevated power leakage (this behaviour is synonymous with any CPU) which results in the CPU needing more voltage to be stable at a given frequency/overclock.

4. Whilst not directly relevant, Intel Undervolt Protection may need to be manually disabled in some cases. This function was introduced to mitigate security risks of the exploit known as Plundervolt.

[Lucifer_X_Devil]

I'm not sure if you are aware but -80 mV is not that substantial. 13980HX can go down to -160 Ring voltage, around -120 mV P core and E core voltage offset doesn't really matter. The -80mV applied from Asus BIOS is only applied to Ring cache not even the P cores which from my testing have found out to be the most sensitive. So you can compare the 80mV difference between Ring cache and 120 mV difference between P cache of my device and some other Scar devices. Doesn't seem substantial to me. 

Intel Undervolt Protection is not an option in laptop BIOS at least not in my knowledge. Only the option to enable or disable core voltage offset to allow undervolting.

Your mention of ambient temperature, my device runs at under 60°C idle and with fans running at max and least number of processes running it's hit a record of 35°C without a cooling pad. I never move my laptop, I have a fixed setup which I do my best to keep free of dust, cleaning the fans every 6 months. 

The fact is even without the undervolts, I still face bluescreens to this day sometimes. The strangest concern is the fact the device can't handle an undervolt of 80 to the ring cache alone. -80 should not be the borderline between stable and unstable. Something is quite wrong with the cpu. Even at -80 there is hardly any performance improvement in games or synthetic benchmarks or any dips in temperature. CPU still hits 95/96 under heavy loaded games. 

Undervolting is way safer than overvolting that Asus has sent the cpu with.

Now it makes me believe that you guys won't release a micro code patch removing the overvolt because you know it will make devices like mine unstable. 

I don't believe you are very familiar with laptop undervolting but instabilities arise as soon as an undervolt is too extreme. I will give you the benefit of doubt that you may be right and sometimes it takes a while for issues to surface but it happening at such a minor undervolt with little to no positive outcome is concerning. 

I'd like to hear the thoughts of other forum members on these issues, whether you find this actually concerning and whether you have faced similar issues as me. 

If you have then Silent Scone, it's best that Asus listens to a customer and brings out an RMA program. 

[Silent_Scone]

No curve balls needed here. Stop undervolting if the system isn't stable, that's all one can say and that is all customer service will say, too.

 13980HX can go down to -160 Ring voltage, around -120 mV

But yours can't. Each CPU is different, some may not be able to achieve an undervolt at all. If you want to be taken seriously I'd omit any of that information. India has a hot climate, and higher operating temperatures will have a large impact on these things. Lower temps, lower leakage current...

Intel Undervolt Protection is not an option in laptop BIOS

Depending on BIOS revision / microcode it's possible this flag is disabled by default.

I don't believe you are very familiar with laptop undervolting but instabilities arise as soon as an undervolt is too extreme. I will give you the benefit of doubt that you may be right and sometimes it takes a while for issues to surface but it happening at such a minor undervolt with little to no positive outcome is concerning.

No benefit of the doubt needed, if the system is unstable then you need to remove the undervolt. If unstable at defaults, that's the narrative you want to be following.