In response to these issues, Intel has established a dedicated support website where users can report their experiences and receive assistance. This proactive approach aims to gather user feedback directly and ensure that their systems run within safe operational limits.Additionally, prominent motherboard manufacturers have begun releasing updates to mitigate these stability issues. GIGABYTE, for instance, has released new BIOS updates aimed at enhancing stability. However, there are user reports suggesting that some settings, such as the power limit (PL2) set to 188 W, load lines at 1.7/1.7, and a current limit of 249 A, still do not conform to Intel's specified standards. Similarly, MSI has offered a blog post with a tutorial on achieving system stability, and ASUS has also updated its BIOS to align more closely with Intel's baseline specifications.
This initiative by Intel and the collaboration with motherboard manufacturers underscores the complexities of integrating advanced hardware capabilities while maintaining system stability. It highlights the ongoing efforts by Intel and its partners to address and rectify any deviations from standard operational parameters, ensuring that users experience both the high performance expected from modern CPUs and the reliability that is critical for everyday use.
Intel's proactive stance in issuing guidance and updates, along with the quick response from motherboard manufacturers, demonstrates the industry's commitment to user satisfaction and system reliability. As the situation develops, further updates and improvements are anticipated as manufacturers continue to refine their BIOS configurations to fully align with Intel's recommended specifications.
Intel has observed that this issue may be related to out of specification operating conditions resulting in sustained high voltage and frequency during periods of elevated heat.
Analysis of affected processors shows some parts experience shifts in minimum operating voltages which may be related to operation outside of Intel specified operating conditions.
While the root cause has not yet been identified, Intel has observed the majority of reports of this issue are from users with unlocked/overclock capable motherboards.
Intel has observed 600/700 Series chipset boards often set BIOS defaults to disable thermal and power delivery safeguards designed to limit processor exposure to sustained periods of high voltage and frequency, for example:Intel requests system and motherboard manufacturers to provide end users with a default BIOS profile that matches Intel recommended settings.
- Disabling Current Excursion Protection (CEP)
- Enabling the IccMax Unlimited bit
- Disabling Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) and/or Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB)
- Additional settings which may increase the risk of system instability:
- Disabling C-states
- Using Windows Ultimate Performance mode
- Increasing PL1 and PL2 beyond Intel recommended limits
Intel strongly recommends customer's default BIOS settings should ensure operation within Intel's recommended settings.
In addition, Intel strongly recommends motherboard manufacturers to implement warnings for end users alerting them to any unlocked or overclocking feature usage.
Intel is continuing to actively investigate this issue to determine the root cause and will provide additional updates as relevant information becomes available.
Intel will be publishing a public statement regarding issue status and Intel recommended BIOS setting recommendations targeted for May 2024.
Source: Igor's Lab
