Following Intel’s series of financial struggles and Raptor Lake chip stability problems, the company could really use some good news on a Friday. This week, they’ve managed just that by releasing the first version of the much-anticipated microcode fix for desktop Raptor Lake processors, along with a detailed explanation of the underlying issue.
The new microcode release, version 0x129, is Intel’s initial attempt to address the elevated voltage issue that’s been causing Raptor Lake processor degradation over the past year and a half. Intel has been investigating this problem all year, and after a slow start, they’ve made significant progress in recent weeks. They identified what they call an “elevated operating voltage” issue in high-TDP desktop Raptor Lake (13th & 14th Generation Core) chips. Back in late July, the company was targeting a mid-August release date for a microcode patch to fix (or rather prevent) the degradation issue. Just ahead of that deadline, Intel has begun shipping the microcode to their motherboard partners.
Even with this new microcode, Intel is not yet done with the stability issue. They are still investigating whether it’s possible to improve the stability of already-degraded processors. The overall tone of Intel’s announcement is very much that of a beta software fix – Intel won’t be submitting this specific microcode revision for distribution via operating system updates, for example. So even if this microcode is successful in stopping ongoing degradation, it seems Intel hasn’t closed the book on the issue entirely and is presumably working towards a fix suitable for wider release.
Capping At 1.55v: Elevated Voltages Beget Elevated Voltages
So what exactly does the 0x129 microcode update do? In short, it caps the voltage of affected Raptor Lake desktop chips at a still-toasty (but in spec) 1.55v. As noted in Intel’s previous announcements, excessive voltages seem to be the cause of the issue, so capping voltages at what Intel has determined is the proper limit should prevent future chip damage.
The company’s letter to the community also outlines, for the first time, what’s happening under the hood with degraded chips. Those chips that have already succumbed to the issue from repeated voltage spikes have deteriorated in such a way that the minimum voltage needed to operate the chip – Vmin – has increased beyond Intel’s original specifications. As a result, those chips are no longer getting enough voltage to operate.
Seasoned overclockers will likely find this a familiar story, as this is one of the ways overclocked processors degrade over time. In these cases – as it appears to be with the Raptor Lake issue – more voltage is needed to keep a chip stable, particularly in workloads where the voltage to the chip is already sagging.
And while all signs point to this degradation being irreversible (and a lot of RMAs in Intel’s future), there is a ray of hope. If Intel’s analysis is correct that degraded Raptor Lake chips can still operate properly with a higher Vmin voltage, there may be a possibility of saving at least some of these chips and bringing them back to stability.
This “Vmin shift,” as Intel is calling it, is the company’s next investigative target. According to their letter, they aim to provide updates by the “end of August.”
In the meantime, Intel’s eager motherboard partners have already begun releasing BIOSes with the new microcode, with ASUS and MSI even jumping the gun and sending out BIOSes before Intel had a chance to properly announce the microcode. Both vendors are releasing these as beta BIOSes, reflecting the early nature of the microcode fix itself. While we expect most users to want this microcode in place ASAP to mitigate further damage on affected chips, it would be prudent to treat these beta BIOSes as just that.
As noted earlier, Intel is currently only distributing the 0x129 microcode via BIOS updates. This microcode won’t be coming to other systems via operating system updates. We still expect distribution via OS updates to be the ultimate goal for this fix, but for now, Intel isn’t providing a timeline or other guidance for when that might happen. So for PC enthusiasts, a BIOS update is the only way to get it for now.
Performance Impact: Generally Nil – But Not Always
Lastly, Intel’s message provides some guidance on the performance impact of the new microcode, based on their internal testing. Previously, the company indicated they expected no significant performance impact, and based on their expanded testing, this remains largely the case. However, there are going to be some workloads that suffer from performance regressions as a result.
So far, Intel has found a couple of workloads experiencing regressions. This includes PugetBench GPU Effects Score and, on the gaming side, Hitman 3: Dartmoor. Otherwise, virtually everything else Intel tested, including common benchmarks like Cinebench and major games, aren’t showing performance regressions. So the overall outcome of the fix isn’t a spotless recovery, but it’s also not leading to widespread performance losses either.
As for AnandTech, we’ll be digging into this on our own benchmark suite as time allows. We have one more CPU launch coming up next week, so there’s no shortage of work to be done in the next few days. (Sorry, Gavin!)
Intel’s Full Statement
For all Intel Core 13th/14th Gen desktop processor users: This patch is being distributed via BIOS update and will not be available through operating system updates. Intel is working with its partners to ensure timely validation and rollout of the BIOS update for systems currently in service.
Instability Analysis Update – Microcode Background and Performance Implications
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:
- Intel default settings to avoid elevated power delivery impact to the processor (May 2024)
- Microcode 0x125 to fix the eTVB issue in i9 processors (June 2024)
- Microcode 0x129 to address elevated voltages (August 2024)
Intel’s current analysis finds that there is a significant increase in 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 latest microcode update will primarily improve operating conditions for K/KF/KS processors. Intel is also confirming that, based on extensive validation, all future products will not be affected by this issue.
Intel continues to investigate mitigations for scenarios that can result in a Vmin shift on potentially impacted Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors. Intel will provide updates by the end of August.
Intel’s internal testing – utilizing Intel Default Settings – indicates that performance impact is within run-to-run variation (e.g., 3DMark: Timespy, WebXPRT 4, Cinebench R24, Blender 4.2.0) with a few sub-tests showing moderate impacts (WebXPRT Online Homework; PugetBench GPU Effects Score). For gaming workloads tested, performance has also been within run-to-run variation (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Warhammer III – Mirrors of Madness) with one exception showing slightly more impact (Hitman 3: Dartmoor). However, system performance is dependent on configuration and several other factors.
For unlocked Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors, this latest microcode update (0x129) will not prevent users from overclocking if they so choose. Users can disable the eTVB setting in their BIOS if they wish to push above the 1.55V threshold. As always, Intel recommends users proceed with caution when overclocking their desktop processors, as overclocking may void their warranty and/or affect system health. As a general best practice, Intel recommends customers with Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors utilize the Intel Default Settings.
In light of the recently announced extended warranty program, Intel is reaffirming its confidence in its products and is committed to making sure all customers who have or are currently experiencing instability symptoms on their 13th and/or 14th Gen desktop processors are supported in the exchange process. Users experiencing consistent instability symptoms should reach out to their system manufacturer (OEM/System Integrator purchase), Intel Customer Support (boxed processor), or place of purchase (tray processor) for further assistance.
–Intel Community Post
