Some newer Intel CPUs are getting irreversibly damaged
Intel has narrowed down the issue to a bug in desktop CPUs.
Some desktop Intel CPUs are cooking themselves due to a bug. And any damage could be irreversible.
If you are thinking of setting up a new desktop PC, it might be time to put it on hold - or get a processor from rival chip maker AMD instead.
The problem so far
An unusual number of Intel's latest 14th Gen processors were found prone to unexplained crashes and blue screens since its release.
- Initial reports arrived many months ago.
- Months of extensive analyses to determine issue.
- Intel now says it's a bug that results in incorrect voltage.
Specifically, the root cause of the issue was "a microcode algorithm resulting in incorrect voltage requests to the processor."
In effect, it's frying parts of itself. What's more, Intel's older 13th Gen processors are also prone to the same issue.
Microcode fix coming
Intel says it will be releasing a microcode update later in August to prevent further damage to crashing 13th- or 14th-Gen desktop processors.
It will also take time for the updates to roll out to users though, either through Windows Update or BIOS updates from motherboard makers.
Indeed, Intel says processors already "exhibiting" crashes are likely to be permanently damaged and won't be helped with the update.
It's a mess
Intel is currently investigating ways to easily identify affected processors. However, there is no easy way to tell them apart right now.
For now, just take it that any 13th- or 14th-Gen desktop CPU with a base power of 65W or higher could be affected. Thankfully, laptop CPUs seem fine, though Intel couldn't say why.
Intel won't be issuing a recall, but it has increased the warranty of affected chips by 2 years, effectively bringing it to 5 years.
What now?
I must have built/used at least a dozen desktop rigs with Intel chips over the years, and this is certainly disappointing news.
In other news, Intel has just announced that its revenue has dropped by 1% year-over-year while its losses totaled US$1.6 billion.
Do you still use a desktop PC?
