Another 14900k voltage post

[Athan1]

As a forever fan of intel since 233mmx cpu. I build my new pc on 8 January 2025. I update my motherboard (MSI Z790 Tomahawk WiFi MAX) to the latest available BIOS(7E25vA8) before  i put my cpu (14900k box) on. On first boot went to bios and choose the intel recommended profile and intel default voltages instead of msi cpu lite. PL1=PL2 default at 253 and 307A. Everything is working as it should im getting 6ghz on two cores momentarily. Using an Arctic Freezer iii 420 temps are great with idle at 23C-26C and max i get is 72C but drops down to 68C. Yes the power consumption is crazy. Didnt bother with anything else, full updated windows 11 pro and all drivers.
The thing is i read a lot of stuff around web about this cpu and voltages and since im not an overclocker and i always use the default settings on any hardware i own i noticed after 5mins of gaming my cpu core vids were hitting 1.52v could go higher during day i guess. Just need an Intel tech employee to responsible tell me if its ok and normal and should i leave it like this and not worry. Im saying again im only using pure default Intel settings and nothing else.
Thank you.

[JedG_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hello Athan1,

Thank you for posting on Intel Community Forum.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support towards Intel. We understand your concerns regarding the core voltage of the processor, given the information you have read online. Please be assured that not all processors will exhibit instability issues.

Typically, affected processors may display the following issues: Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), game crashes, application errors, random reboots, memory controller failures such as dual-channel memory not functioning, and operating system or application crashes/hangs.

Additionally, please note that the maximum operating voltage for the Intel i9-14900K is 1.72V. Should you observe the CPU core voltage exceeding this maximum supported specification, kindly inform us.

For more information, you may check this link: Intel® Core™ 14th Generation Processor Datasheet

If you have other questions, please feel free to let me know.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Adaia]

What is the best way to contact Intel regarding this issue? I have an Intel I7-14700KF; when it is working properly it's a great piece of hardware, but it's starting to produce voltage errors more frequently and this seems to be causing my system to go into overheat protection until I reset the PC. At this point, I'm starting to think I would like a new processor. 

Thank you kindly for any information you can provide. 

[Mariobrillo2016]

Hello Jed. I just received and installed an RMA replacement 14900K, installed on Asus Dark Hero Z790 MB, bios, chipset ME is updated. I noticed a couple of voltage settings that are troubling me after my degradation experience.

Note the following readings from HWINFO (v8.30-5800) under idle loads

Vcore max 1.412V, 

Vcore Average 1.159V

VHIF 1.792 V

VCCIN_Aux 1.760V

Readings from Asus Armoury Gate (which matches Bios Readings)

CPU Core Voltage Fluctuates 0915-1.305

CPU System Agent Voltage 1.249

CPU Input Voltage 1.761 - 1.777 V (steady)

Memory Controller Voltage 1.332 V to a max of over 1.412V at startup

My question is are the default values Safe, noting many users are claiming they are high? Are these voltages safe (with no potential for degrade over time).

Also:

I've attempted to bring these voltages down by BIOS settings using Auto Voltage Cap settings auto to values noted below, without success there is no change or cap being observed.

I have manually set Input Voltage 1.5V and this works with a a measured reading of 1.472V

CPU Core Voltage was manually set to 1.3V which does fix min and max to a fixed voltage with minor overshoot 1.312+/-.

My Question, is setting these voltages to fixed value safe (with no potential for degrade over time).

Is there a document published by intel stating maximum upset voltage limits and associated bios settings to prevent degrade.

I lived with a degraded chip for one year (before I educated myself on the issue and learned it was a product issue) and i never want to have to experience this again. Noting, it cost me significant money changing motherboards and AIO cooler, constant WIndows reinstallation having to disassemble the components to get windows to install after days of trials, and a year of computer instability it was working.

[PC1997]

Hello Mariobrillo2016,

It looks like Intel may not be monitoring this thread anymore, so I'll go ahead and share an answer.

Short answer first:

Your numbers don’t look alarming for a stock 14900K on a modern Z790, as long as you’re on the new Intel microcode BIOS (“Intel Default Settings”). Your observed Vcore max ~1.41 V and average ~1.16 V are within what Intel now expects at idle/light load, and well under Intel’s own operating ceiling. VCCIN_AUX ~1.76–1.78 V is also normal (that rail feeds the CPU’s internal regulators).

Intel’s public datasheet for 13th/14th-gen desktop shows the VCCCORE operating range up to 1.72 V (S-series, measured at the CPU sense pins). That is not a target—it’s a limit—but it shows your ~1.41 V spikes are far below Intel’s max.

Intel has confirmed the 2024 instability came from excess/elevated voltage requests in some scenarios and released microcode to clamp it (initially 0x129/0x12B; further refined in 0x12F). With current BIOSes that apply Intel’s defaults, those problematic overshoots are capped (e.g., clamping requests above ~1.55 V). Make sure you’re on one of these BIOSes.

What your readings mean (and what to watch)

Vcore / “CPU Core Voltage (VR VOUT)” is the best “actual” rail to watch for the cores. Idle/light loads can show brief higher readings (1.3–1.45 V) even when heavy loads sit ~1.15–1.25 V. Your 1.41 V max fits that pattern and, with the new microcode, is by design.

VCCIN_AUX ~1.76 V: normal. It’s the input to the CPU’s internal VRs; Intel documents this rail separately (don’t confuse it with Vcore).

System Agent (VCCSA) ~1.25 V and Memory Controller (VDD2) 1.33–1.41 V at boot: these often run higher on auto, especially with fast DDR5/XMP. There isn’t a single “official” daily-use cap published like VCCCORE; community practice is to keep SA ≲1.25–1.30 V and VDD2/IMC ≲1.35 V for 24/7 when possible, if stable. (Intel’s public guidance focuses on the core voltage issue; board vendors adjusting “Intel Default Settings” is the big lever.)

Are fixed/override voltages “safer”?

Pinning Vcore to a fixed 1.30 V is generally safe for longevity (under the microcode caps and far below the 1.72 V operating limit), but it removes idle voltage drop, adding idle power/heat and can cost single-thread boost headroom. There’s no extra safety benefit versus doing it the recommended way.

A better approach is Adaptive mode with a max cap instead of a hard override. On ASUS boards with the new BIOS:

In AI Tweaker → Performance Preferences, select Intel Default Settings (this is the factory default in recent BIOSes).

Use Adaptive core voltage and set an IA VR Voltage Limit (or equivalent “AI Voltage Cap”) around 1.30–1.35 V. This preserves C-states/boost while preventing high spikes.

Keep SVID Behavior on Intel Fail Safe/Typical and CEP enabled. ASUS’ August 2024+ BIOSes implement Intel’s defaults and microcode automatically; Dark Hero Z790 BIOS 1503 is in that group. If your board ignores an “auto cap,” set the IA VR Voltage Limit (or “CPU Core Voltage override cap”) directly; that’s the setting most vendors wired to the microcode era caps. (Naming varies by vendor, but the idea is the same.)

What Intel has actually published

Root-cause & mitigation (Intel official posts): elevated voltage requests could age the silicon (“Vmin shift”) during idle/light use; microcode updates (0x129 → 0x12B → 0x12F) clamp those requests and adjust behaviors. Update your BIOS and run Intel Default Settings.

Board-level rollout: ASUS details the BIOS versions (including ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero 1503) that apply the Intel defaults + microcode. If you’re on these, your “Auto” behavior is the intended safe configuration.

Voltage limits: Intel’s datasheet lists VCCCORE operating range up to 1.72 V (S-line); it’s measured at the CPU’s sense pins and is an operational ceiling, not a target. This is the closest thing to an “upset voltage limit” in public docs.

Practical recommendations for your system

Verify BIOS: Ensure you’re on ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero BIOS 1503 (or newer) with Intel Default Settings active.

Leave VCCIN_AUX on Auto (≈1.76–1.80 V). Your manual 1.50 V “works,” but it reduces FIVR headroom and isn’t necessary with current microcode.

Core voltage: Prefer Adaptive with IA VR Voltage Limit ~1.30–1.35 V over a fixed 1.30 V override. Functionally safe either way, but Adaptive is cleaner for idle/boost behavior.

Memory rails: If you want to be conservative, try SA 1.20–1.25 V and VDD2/IMC ≤1.35 V, then test memory stability (TM5/Anta777, Karhu, y-cruncher, OCCT). There’s no Intel public “degrade” line here; this is best practice from the field. (Intel’s own fix targeted core-voltage overshoot.)

What to monitor: In HWiNFO, watch “CPU Core Voltage (VR VOUT/Vcore)” for real delivered core voltage—not VID. Keep an eye on peak during idle/light loads and sustained under heavy load. With current BIOS/microcode, those peaks should stay below the ~1.55 V clamp by design.

Bottom line

With the latest ASUS BIOS applying Intel Default Settings + updated microcode, your current auto voltages are considered safe by Intel, and your specific readings look normal. Locking voltages to fixed values isn’t necessary for safety; if you want control, Adaptive with a sensible cap (≈1.30–1.35 V) is the recommended path. For official limits, Intel’s datasheet shows the VCCCORE upper operating bound (1.72 V) and their public posts explain the microcode caps and “Vmin shift” fix.

[Athan1]

This covers my question, thank you very much.

[JedG_Intel]

Hi Athan1,

I am pleased to hear that I was able to address your questions. As all your inquiries have been covered, I will proceed with closing this inquiry. Should you require further assistance, please submit a new question, as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[n_scott_pearson]

The RMA processes are NOT handling here in the Communities; you need to be contacting ICS by phone.

...S