MSI Reintroduces Support for AVX-512 on Alder Lake CPUs
For some Intel Z690 motherboards, MSI has released a new firmware update that restores AVX-512 support on 12th Generation Core 'Alder Lake' processors. While the move will help some applications, why would Intel be delighted with MSI re-enabling AVX-512 in their current CPUs?
Microsoft has released firmware for its MEG Z690 Unify-X motherboard (version 7D28vA22 beta) that supports AVX-512 via the BIOS/UEFI microcode selection option. A fully functional AVX-512 segment can pass required benchmarks (e.g., y-cruncher) substantially faster than chips without AVX-512.
Intel announced that its 12th Generation Core 'Alder Lake' processors, including the Core i9-12900K, fully supported AVX-512 instructions. The CPUs do contain the required hardware. Because Alder Lake's (E)fficiency cores lack AVX-512 support, Intel disabled it months before launch to protect overall stability. In order to avoid confusion, Intel created a new default microcode that 'permanently disabled' AVX-512. Except it didn't.
Many professional and scientific applications require AVX-512 instructions. Gamers and normal users don't need AVX-512, thus disabling all E-cores to acquire it may not make sense. Still, removing AVX-512 from specific use cases doesn't seem to damage Intel — notably on CPUs lacking E-cores, like the Core i5-12400. But Intel's Alder Lake-6C CPUs may be able to allow it again. The P-cores in such low-cost processors are re-enabled, boosting performance in chosen programs without danger. Intel may respond with a tougher way to disable AVX-512, but you should be able to keep it if you don't change your BIOS.
Senior Member
Posts: 2341
Joined: 2005-08-05
oh wow, MSI thinks it can dictate Intel and how Intel products get used ... some nerve they got, if MSI want to do this they'd better start making their own cpu's.
As if Intel is the only company that has nothing to say about it's own products, unheard of while others try to dictate everything.
Bad move from MSI, but sure they only want sales of their products. So they'd negate any security fixes by using whatever microcode they want instead of the latest.
Can't trust this MSI for my safety and security.
We with Asus Apex z690 have new up to date bioses with imported old cpu microcode. Unofficial is allways the best

Senior Member
Posts: 11625
Joined: 2010-12-27
oh wow, MSI thinks it can dictate Intel and how Intel products get used ... some nerve they got, if MSI want to do this they'd better start making their own cpu's.
As if Intel is the only company that has nothing to say about it's own products, unheard of while others try to dictate everything.
Bad move from MSI, but sure they only want sales of their products. So they'd negate any security fixes by using whatever microcode they want instead of the latest.
Can't trust this MSI for my safety and security.
Ugh what?
Intel deliberately removed a feature from a microcode update and MSI restored that functionality. Exactly how is MSI the bad guy

Senior Member
Posts: 4127
Joined: 2009-09-04
Ugh what?
Intel deliberately removed a feature from a microcode update and MSI restored that functionality. Exactly how is MSI the bad guy

He sounds like someone from Intel would sound.
Senior Member
Posts: 4124
Joined: 2008-10-13
oh wow, MSI thinks it can dictate Intel and how Intel products get used ... some nerve they got, if MSI want to do this they'd better start making their own cpu's.
As if Intel is the only company that has nothing to say about it's own products, unheard of while others try to dictate everything.
Bad move from MSI, but sure they only want sales of their products. So they'd negate any security fixes by using whatever microcode they want instead of the latest.
Can't trust this MSI for my safety and security.
You ok there?
Senior Member
Posts: 2652
Joined: 2015-06-11
good news for rpcs3 users