June 2024 Guidance regarding Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen K/KF/KS instability reports

[Thomas_Hannaford]

Intel and its partners are continuing to investigate user reports regarding instability issues on Intel Core 13th and 14th generation (K/KF/KS) desktop processors. We appreciate the Intel community’s patience on the matter and will continue to share updates on the investigation as it works towards a conclusion. In the meantime, we’re sharing an update on confirmed factors leading to the reported instability issues and Intel’s current guidance to users regarding Intel Core 13th and 14th Generation (K/KF/KS) desktop processors.

Investigation Background and Intel Default Settings Recommendations

Intel analysis has determined a confirmed contributing factor to the instability reports on Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen (K/KF/KS) desktop processors is elevated voltage input to the processor due to previous BIOS settings which allow the processor to operate at turbo frequencies and voltages even while the processor is at a high temperature.

However, in investigating this instability issue Intel did discover a bug in the Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB) algorithm which can impact operating conditions for Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen (K/KF/KS) desktop processors. We have developed a patch for the eTVB bug and are working with our OEM/ODM motherboard partners to roll out the patch as part of BIOS updates ahead of July 19th, 2024. While this eTVB bug is potentially contributing to instability, it is not the root cause of the instability issue.

As Intel and its partners continue working towards a conclusion to the investigation, we want to make sure that all users are clear on the recommended Intel Default power delivery profile settings for Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen (K/KF/KS) desktop processors. Intel also recommends users check their motherboard vendor’s website for the latest relevant BIOS updates:

These recommended Intel Default Settings are developed – based on extensive testing and validation - to ensure optimal stability and reliability for Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen (K/KF/KS) desktop processors. System performance is dependent on configuration and several other factors.

And to be clear, users looking to overclock or utilize higher power delivery settings than recommended can still do so at their own risk as overclocking may void warranty or affect system health (you can learn more at www.intel.com/overclocking).

Next Steps

As we noted earlier, this investigation is not an easy one to conduct and we’re grateful for both the support of our partners in conducting the analysis as well as the patience of the Intel community.

In the interim, please reach out to Intel Customer Support if you have questions or concerns regarding your Intel Core 13th or 14th Gen (K/KF/KS) desktop processor.

More Information on Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen (K-Series) Desktop Processors:

Intel Core 14th Gen (K/KF/KS)

Core i9 - https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/237504/intel-core-i9-processor-14900ks-36m-cache-up-to-6-20-ghz.html (KS), https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/236773/intel-core-i9-processor-14900k-36m-cache-up-to-6-00-ghz.html (K), https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/236787/intel-core-i9-processor-14900kf-36m-cache-up-to-6-00-ghz.html (KF)

Core i7 - https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/236783/intel-core-i7-processor-14700k-33m-cache-up-to-5-60-ghz.html (K), https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/236789/intel-core-i7-processor-14700kf-33m-cache-up-to-5-60-ghz.html (KF)

Core i5 - https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/236799/intel-core-i5-processor-14600k-24m-cache-up-to-5-30-ghz.html (K), https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/236778/intel-core-i5-processor-14600kf-24m-cache-up-to-5-30-ghz.html (KF)

Intel Core 13th Gen (K/KF/KS)

Core i9 – https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/232167/intel-core-i9-13900ks-processor-36m-cache-up-to-6-00-ghz.html (KS), https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/230496/intel-core-i9-13900k-processor-36m-cache-up-to-5-80-ghz.html (K), https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/230497/intel-core-i9-13900kf-processor-36m-cache-up-to-5-80-ghz.html (KF)

Core i7 – https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/230500/intel-core-i7-13700k-processor-30m-cache-up-to-5-40-ghz.html (K), https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/230489/intel-core-i7-13700kf-processor-30m-cache-up-to-5-40-ghz.html (KF)

Core i5 – https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/230493/intel-core-i5-13600k-processor-24m-cache-up-to-5-10-ghz.html (K), https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/230494/intel-core-i5-13600kf-processor-24m-cache-up-to-5-10-ghz.html (KF)

[3qw4tW46T4v256v]

Hi,

Is there any guidance available on how to apply these settings?

[pressed_for_time]

Motherboard manufacturers have issued a BIOS update that includes an Intel Default Settings (IDS) option. This will automatically apply the Intel settings for your particular CPU if you select it. In many cases there is encouragement to apply the IDS settings by default.

[David_Martinez]

Hello, please could you clarify if ASUS are included in these manufacturers? There was a BIOS update yesterday but I assumed it was for the Intel firmware flaw that has exposed all the 'Lake' processors to Stack Overflow (something i'm repeatedly getting in my Safe boot even after the update). I hadn't seen this message but assumed it would be something like this.
Optimised defaults just loaded back to the usual AQSUS onesd and I had to go through and retune everything, but i don't remember seeing a setting for it.

Also i get the kernel loop if i use the settings provided. I haven't tested every level but it works if I use 200 short, 100 long, sync all cores to 57, and all e-cores to 43. Thanks for your help, i'm sure it must be a nightmare having to lean on some of these suppliers.

EDIT: they've just released asnother today, so yesterday was probably the microcoder, today the default settings, i'll check and report back.

Edit 2:  Well... the answer is a big fat no. They did make a slight change to the wording on the boosts though (see pic). In some ways it reminds me of a spoilt child, but I think they were just trying to one-up you on the confusing messages.

Guys, i'm sure you're doing your best to lean on them, and whilst poorly communicated, I'm pleased you put the K_BSOD loops in, because otherwise it would only have been a matter of time before one caught fire, killed someone,  and your execs would have been hauled into the dock. But there are plenty of cost free, extra steps you can do to communicate this, without having to publicly state that you just didn't test it enough.
JayZeTwocents is already blaming ASUS for it, ask him to do a more detailed video than what he's done before.
OR, you could post on this very forum, the exact BIOS settings for each board. Its not your board, but it would show some effort to help those who don't know their way around bios, before kids start switching their VM or Microcode prior to getting randomwared. Also I think one of your processors is missing from this: https://edc.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/performance/benchmarks/overview/ 

For those reading with an ASUS Z790 who haven't managed to get theirs working, I would recommed hiring a professional, but here are the steps I take to run mine. I'm supposed to have finished my NVIDEA LLM certification by now, but instead i've spent two weeks in BIOS, so whilst it can be tuned up a little more, I prefer to aire on the safe side.
Also there is a workaround to effectively get it back to 'near XTU levels', performance-wise, but I don't use it.

In BIOS, load defaults, make sure AI Optimization is turned off on the EZ screen:
Press F7
Choose XMP 1 , XMP 2, or don't OC it
ASUS Multicore Enhancement - DISABLE Enforce All Limits
SVID Behaviour - Intels Fail Safe
Performance core Ratio - Sync all cores 
ALL-Core Ratio Limit - 57

Efficient Core Ratio - Sync all cores
All Core Ratio Limit - 43

*Move to CPU Management or use search*
CPU Core/Cache Current Limit Max - 307

Long Duration Package Power Limit - Try intels first, if that doesnt work set to 100.

Short Duration Package Power Limit - Try intels first, if that doesnt work set to 225

NOTE: ASUS wording above describes PP limits like they are the 'current' limit, but we're in Watts now.

Finally if you want to completely knock the 'k' off your i9: FLL OC Mode - disabled 

I should stress that these are my own settings, and unlkess you're doing something that really needs CPU power (most games don't), go with Intels lower settings.

The only game this has issues with that i've tested it on is Cyberpunk, it crashes when the boost times out i think. For AI use its run some pretty heavy models with no problem, although most of the time thats going through the 4090. For me personally, its running about 5-10% slower on 3D mark than when I switch to my board with another manufacturer, which sounds a lot but its still more than enough to play games.