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)

[keislij]

Pretty sad situation honestly. Support has gone MIA on my case after I requested an RMA on 7/26. Definitely won't be purchasing anything Intel in the future and will be advising anybody I can to do the same. 

[Tomba]

I applied all the settings unfortunatelly it isnt solving anything. What a shame for Intel, sold lots of broken CPU's to market and no solution. 

[GrogMon]

Motherboard manufacturers just recently released a BIOS update to the Intel microcode 0x129. I would try and apply that update. It helped out with some instability issues, but not all on my end. I'm having to try a second RMA, as the replacement I received degraded much faster than the first. Everything is crashing on my desktop, even my web browser and apps. 

[MFess]

Why not simply do it the way it used to be? The "Auto" setting should operate the CPU exactly as intended for the respective model.

I hope Intel will keep a closer eye on the board manufacturers.
In recent years, the battle for the best benchmark results has ensured that various automatic overclocking mechanisms have been at least tacitly tolerated.
It's absurd that, one first have to read through a huge PDF and then manually set or check all possible settings, just to be sure that the cpu is operated within the specifications.