Intel finds cause of overheating CPUs, provides another BIOS update

Intel has been struggling with a major issue in its 13th- and 14th-generation Core CPUs for most of this year. Due to a production error, high voltages and temperatures led to crashes for users and permanent damage in the processors, affecting overall service life.

Related: Intel’s crashing CPU nightmare, explained

Almost two months have passed since the company promised to get to the bottom of it and deliver fixes once and for all — and while minor BIOS updates have already been delivered, Intel just announced that it has found another root cause of the problem.

The four causes of Intel CPU damage

Long story short, Intel’s 13th- and 14th-gen Core CPUs woes come down to something called “Vmin shift instability,” which basically means an unexpected increase in the minimum operating voltage. When this happens, it can lead to repeated crashes and error messages, which is what Core CPU owners have been experiencing this year.

The tricky part is that Vmin shift can arise for several different reasons, and that’s why it’s taken so long to address it — some causes were identified, but others remained in the shadows.

Yesterday’s announcement is a big milestone because Intel’s extensive investigation has finally uncovered what could be the last reason that leads to Vmin shift instability in Core CPUs.

Here are the various causes and fixes, per Intel:

Motherboard power delivery settings exceeding Intel power guidance. Mitigation: Intel Default Settings recommendations for Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors.

eTVB Microcode algorithm which was allowing Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen i9 desktop processors to operate at higher performance states even at high temperatures. Mitigation: microcode 0x125 (June 2024) addresses eTVB algorithm issue.

Microcode SVID algorithm requesting high voltages at a frequency and duration which can cause Vmin shift. Mitigation: microcode 0x129 (August 2024) addresses high voltages requested by the processor.

Microcode and BIOS code requesting elevated core voltages which can cause Vmin shift especially during periods of idle and/or light activity. Mitigation: Intel is releasing microcode 0x12B, which encompasses 0x125 and 0x129 microcode updates, and addresses elevated voltage requests by the processor during idle and/or light activity periods.

According to Intel, the performance of processors should not change as a result of the new BIOS update, though the company warns that CPUs are still subject to the usual fluctuations.

If your CPU has already suffered from Vmin shift, the BIOS update will not help you because the damage is irreversible. These patches only prevent unaffected CPUs from encountering it going forward.

That said, Intel previously increased the warranty of some CPUs to five years following criticism, so take advantage if you can.

How to get the BIOS update

According to Intel, the microcode patch is being delivered to motherboard manufacturers, who will then provide it to their respective users via BIOS updates.

This process is expected to take several days to several weeks, depending on the manufacturer. Check in regularly with your own motherboard manufacturer’s support pages and keep an eye out for the appropriate BIOS update download.