Intel has confirmed the root cause diagnosis for the Vmin Shift Instability problem related to desktop Intel Core 13th and 14th generation processors. This comes after intensive examination into the matter. For desktop users of the Intel Core 13th and 14th generations, this article will provide Intel’s knowledge of the underlying cause, further mitigations, and future efforts.
Vmin Shift Instability Root Cause
The Vmin Shift Instability problem has been traced by Intel to a clock tree circuit in the IA core, which is especially prone to reliability aging at high voltage and temperature. According to Intel, these circumstances may cause a change in the clocks’ duty cycle and result in system instability.
Four (4) operational situations have been recognized by Intel as potentially causing Vmin shift in the impacted processors
- Settings for the motherboard’s power supply that beyond Intel’s recommendations.
- Mitigation: For desktop Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen CPUs, use the Intel Default Settings guidelines.
- Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen i9 desktop CPUs were able to run at better performance levels even at high temperatures thanks to the eTVB Microcode technology.
- Mitigation: June 2024’s microcode 0x125 fixes the eTVB algorithm problem.
- Vmin shift may result from the microcode SVID algorithm’s requirement for high voltages at a frequency and duration.
- Mitigation: August 2024’s microcode 0x129 handles high voltages that the CPU requests.
- Elevated core voltages are requested by BIOS and Microcode, which might result in Vmin shift, particularly during idle or mild activity times.
- Mitigation: Intel is releasing microcode 0x12B, which includes microcode updates 0x125 and 0x129. This microcode resolves the processor’s demands for higher voltages while it is idle or experiencing low activity.
Intel is collaborating with its partners to provide the necessary BIOS update to the general public with regard to the 0x12B upgrade
Motherboard: Intel Raptor Lake Reference Board (M40919), Processor: Intel Core i9-14900K, Memory: 64GB DDR5 at 5200MT/s SU360 ADATA storage Display Resolution: 1280×800; Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770; Graphics Driver Version: 32.0.101.5768; Operating System: Windows 11 Pro (version 26100.712).
Processor: Intel Core i9-14900K; Memory: 32GB DDR5 at 5600MT/s; Motherboard: Intel Raptor Lake Reference Board (RVP SR19); 1TB Samsung 990 Pro storage Graphics: MSI RTX 4090 Suprim X, NVIDIA v555.99 graphics driver, 1920 x 1080 resolution, Windows 11 (version 22631.4169)
Intel’s internal testing on an Intel Core i9-14900K with DDR5 5200MT/s memory comparing 0x12B and 0x125 microcode shows that the performance effect is within run-to-run fluctuation. Performance is also within run-to-run variance for gaming workloads on an Intel Core i9-14900K with DDR5 5600MT/s memory2 such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman 3: Dartmoor, and Total War: Warhammer III Mirrors of Madness. Nevertheless, a number of additional elements as well as configuration affect system performance.
Intel reiterates that the Vmin Shift Instability problem does not impact Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen mobile CPUs or future client product families, such as the codename Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake families. They value its partners’ assistance with the study and pertinent mitigations, as well as its customers’ patience over the course of the inquiry.
Next Actions
All owners of desktop Intel Core 13th and 14th generation processors should be aware that the 0x12B microcode update has to be loaded via a BIOS update, and motherboard and system makers have received it to include in their BIOS. In order to facilitate the prompt certification and distribution of the BIOS update for systems that are presently in use, Intel is collaborating with its partners. This might be a multi-week procedure.
To view the most recent BIOS versions for their desktop computers powered by Intel Core 13th and/or 14th generations, users may visit the website of the system or motherboard maker or use the Intel Product Compatibility Tool.
- Processor: Intel Core i9-14900K, Motherboard: Intel Raptor Lake Reference Board (M40919), Memory: 64GB DDR5 at 5200MT/s SU360 ADATA storage Display Resolution: 1280×800; Graphics Driver Version: 32.0.101.5768; Operating System: Windows 11 Pro (version 26100.712). Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770.
- Processor: Intel Core i9-14900K; Memory: 32GB DDR5 at 5600MT/s; Motherboard: Intel Raptor Lake Reference Board (RVP SR19); Samsung 990 Pro 1TB of storage Graphics: MSI RTX 4090 Suprim X, NVIDIA v555.99 graphics driver, 1920 x 1080 resolution, Windows 11 (version 22631.4169)
