Intel still doesn't know what is causing Core i9 desktop CPUs to crash

Intel's top-level gaming processors, such as the Core i9-14900K and 13900K, have faced trouble for months. This led to more game crashes. Many users reported these issues, so developers offered support. While Intel at first thought they had a fix, they now say the true cause isn't confirmed. They are still looking into the problem with their partners.

Key Takeaways

• Intel's latest Core i9 desktop CPUs, including the 14900K and 13900K, have been plagued by stability issues and increased game crashes.
• Developers have issued support notices due to the prevalence of these problems among users.
• Intel has not yet determined the underlying cause of the instability and is still investigating the issue in collaboration with partners.
• Workarounds like adjusting BIOS settings and underclocking have been recommended by both gamers and developers.
• The stability problems have been especially noticeable in games based on Unreal Engine 5.

Ongoing Stability Issues with Intel's Core i9 Processors

Intel's new Raptor Lake processors, especially the Core i9 models, face stability problems. Gamers are not happy with many game crashes. This affects the high-performance chips.

Gamers Frustrated by Increased Game Crashes

Epic Games, Fatshark, and others have tried to help gamers facing crashes on Intel's Core i9 chips. They admit there are issues and offer help. This shows the problems are widespread.

Developers Issuing Support Notices for Affected Chips

Game developers are helping users with Intel's i9 troubles. They're getting more questions about crashes, so they're giving out advice and updates. They want to solve the problems.

Asus acted first, offering new BIOS versions with an 'Intel Baseline Profile'. Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte then changed power settings to help with the issues.

Intel's 13th Generation CPUs, especially the Core i9-13900KS, have power challenges. The problem is mostly seen on Core i9 CPUs from the 13th and 14th Generation.

Intel is looking for the main stability issue and plans to update by May 2024.

Motherboard makers are confused about Intel's baseline settings. Gigabyte picks 188 watts, while Asus picks 253W, causing a 20% gap in performance. Intel says Core i9-13900K and Core i9-14900K should have up to 253W. For Core i9-13900KS and Core i9-14900KS, they recommend up to 320W in the Performance power profile. Updates from the motherboard makers should align with Intel's advice.

Problems continue with Intel's Core i9 line, troubling both gamers and developers. Intel and its partners are working to fix these issues. Users can look forward to updates and guidance in the future.

Intel's Initial Investigation and Findings

Intel is hard at work looking into why its Core i9 processors are unstable. They think the issue might be from running at too high voltage and frequency in hot conditions. Users with special motherboards that can unlock the processor's full power seem to be noticing this more.

Intel plans to share more information and suggestions by May 2024. Adding to this, some motherboard makers are already doing things to help. Asus, for instance, has made new BIOS versions that include a setting called 'Intel Baseline Profile'. MSI, on the other hand, has a guide to help adjust settings on their motherboards to match Intel's requirements. Gigabyte has also launched beta BIOS updates to help fix any unstableness.

Reports of a Potential Fix from Igor's Lab

Igor's Lab, a popular German tech blog, has shared some insights. They say Intel found a bug in the eTVB feature's code, which might be why the processors are not stable. They suggest that updating the microcode with a patch might help.

Intel Denies Identifying the Root Cause

Intel, on the other hand, denies that this eTVB bug is the main cause of the problem. They did admit there is an eTVB issue but say the main cause is still not found. They are continuing their investigation without a clear end date.

Intel's newer processors from the 13th and 14th generations are facing these serious issues. They found an eTVB bug but haven't solved all the instability problems. They suggest updating the BIOS by July 19, 2024, to fix the eTVB problem. But, the main reason the processors are crashing is still unknown to Intel.

The search for what's truly causing the Core i9's instability continues. Intel and its partners are working together to fully address the problem. We'll keep you updated as more info and possible solutions come to light.

The Role of eTVB and Its Potential Contribution

Intel introduced eTVB for its new Raptor Lake S processors. Some users of Intel Core i9 CPUs have faced instability with their systems. This eTVB feature boosts a computer's speed in certain apps and games. It makes the processor work faster than its normal max speed.

The cause of these issues isn't solely due to the eTVB bug but it adds to them. Intel plans to release BIOS updates to fix the eTVB problem by July 19, 2024.

Intel is still figuring out the main reason for the systems' instability. They suggest users tweak some settings to lower the chances of problems. But they haven't found a complete solution yet.

Intel is hard at work to fix the system problems. They're focusing on eTVB's role and how it affects performance. While BIOS updates may help, a full fix is still being worked on.

"Intel is working on BIOS updates to fix the Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB) issue and make relevant patches available before July 19, 2024."

User Workarounds and Developer Recommendations

Intel is still looking into what's causing the trouble with their latest Core i9 chips. Meanwhile, game makers have found ways to help users deal with the issues. They suggest changing some settings in the computer's basic system (BIOS). Also, they say to reduce the normal speed of the processor. Plus, they advise taking off any extra speed boosts that were added later with Intel's tool, XTU.

Adjusting BIOS Settings and Underclocking

ASUS, a top maker of computer motherboards, has fixed some of the problems with these chips. They did this through a software update for their Z790 boards, called version 1202. This update lets users choose an option that makes the computer more stable, even if it runs a bit slower.

People have also had luck by controlling how much power the computer uses and making the processor slower on their own. This can make the computer run without crashing.

Removing Overclocks and Using Intel XTU

Intel says it's best to use a standard setup for less advanced motherboards. But, for systems that can handle more, they advise a special setting. This is to make the computer work its best without any trouble.

For those who have made their computer run faster than usual, they should take off those extra speed tricks and use Intel's tool, XTU. This could also help stop the computer from crashing.

These fixes can make the problems less common, but Intel is still looking for the main issue. They're checking if the way motherboards work could be making the i9 chips crash. But, they haven't given out a complete solution yet.

If your computer is using too much power, crashing a lot, or not working when you try to do something, there are other steps you can take. Make sure all your software is up to date. Look for viruses. And, try changing how the computer uses power. Sometimes, starting the software over from scratch can also fix things.

Intel still doesn't know what is causing Core i9 desktop CPUs to crash

Intel is working hard but hasn't found the main reason for the Core i9 processors' problems. Many users face crashes while playing games, especially with shader compilation. This leads to errors saying "out of video memory" and the whole system freezing. Nvidia even suggests lowering the chips' speeds by 200MHz to deal with these crashes.

The release of the eTVB (enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost) might mix things up but Intel's still unsure about the main cause. The company tells users to update BIOS with the latest microcode by July 2024. Although this update might help, a lasting fix is yet to be found.

Both gamers and developers are upset by the continued issues, especially those using Unreal Engine. Some have found ways to make their systems work temporarily. They do this by changing BIOS settings, lowering the processor's speed, and reducing its power.

As Intel searches for a full solution, gaming and overall computer experience could still suffer. The company's uncertainty about the problem worries many about the Core i9's future stability.

The ongoing trouble affects gamers and developers. Solving this issue and maintaining trust in their processors is crucial for Intel.

"The impact on the gaming community and developer ecosystem continues to be felt. The company's commitment to addressing the issue and providing a reliable solution will be crucial in maintaining trust and confidence in its high-performance desktop processors."

Intel must figure out the Core i9 issues and find a real fix. Doing so will help regain trust in their desktop processors.

Microcode Update and Its Limited Impact

Intel recently issued a microcode update to fix the eTVB bug people found. Yet, they admit this won't fully stop the system problems. Gamers still see games crash and face system stability issues.

The update mainly deals with the eTVB bug, linked to game crashes. But, it does not solve the main issue. Intel's team is still trying to find the real cause.

Addressing the eTVB Bug but Not the Root Cause

The update tries to fix the eTVB bug, known to impact Unreal Engine games. It was leading to 'out of video memory' errors often. But it doesn't get to the heart of the problem. Players are still dealing with game crashes and unstable systems.

Gigabyte has added an 'Intel Baseline' feature in their latest BIOS updates. It lowers the power usage for certain CPUs. This change helps with the system's instability caused by power settings that were too high.

While these fixes make systems more stable, they lower performance. Tests show a decrease in Cinebench R23 scores and FPS drops in games. Balancing stability and performance remains a challenge.

The update's limited effect and the ongoing reports of CPU issues show Intel is still working on this. Both users and developers hope for more updates and better solutions from Intel soon.

Ongoing Investigations and Collaboration with Partners

Intel is working closely with partners like motherboard makers and game developers. They're trying to find out why there are problems with Core i9 desktop CPUs. They want to fix this issue to make users' experiences stable.

They're analyzing data with big partners to spot the main problems. Companies like Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI found that their BIOS settings could go over Intel's recommended limits. This might cause the crashes users are facing.

Game developers, especially those using the Unreal Engine, are part of the investigation too. Intel wants to know the scenarios that make games crash more often. Their aim is to solve these issues and make gaming smooth for users.

Though the cause of instability issues is not yet clear, Intel is working hard with its partners to bring stability to Core i9 desktop CPUs. They're determined to ensure their users have a reliable and consistent experience. This includes enjoying all that the powerful Intel processors can offer.

Impact on Gaming Performance and User Experience

Intel's Core i9 processors are facing stability issues that affect gaming performance and the user experience. Gamers have seen various crash types, including 'out of memory' errors and system lockups. These problems can be more common in games that use the Unreal Engine.

Varying Crash Behavior Across Different Games

Not all games have issues, but some show more instability. Certain Core i9 users have trouble with newer games, which show 'out of video memory' errors. Big game companies like NVIDIA and Gearbox have noticed and are working on this issue.

Crashes are different depending on the game. Some struggle with Unreal Engine games like Fortnite, while others face shader issues in specific games. These problems are mainly linked to the Core i9-13900K and Core i7-13700K. But, similar issues might be found in other models too, like the Core i9-14900K and Core i7-14700K, because of their like silicon structure.

Developers suggest some fixes like tweaking BIOS and adjusting core speeds to reduce crashes. But these solutions work for only a few processors.

"We've identified the root cause of the crashes and are working closely with our partners to provide a solution as soon as possible."
 - Intel spokesperson

The problems still hurt gaming and user experience. Intel aims to solve these with help from its partners

Conclusion

Intel is still working hard to tackle the issues with its Core i9 desktop processors. They are yet to find the main cause of the problem. Even after a microcode update fixed one bug, many users still face crashes and unstable systems. Intel is working closely with its partners to solve this and ensure a smooth experience for those using high-end desktop CPUs.

The data shows just how complicated this issue is. Some motherboard makers have made changes to power limits, like Gigabyte with its Intel Baseline Profile, to fight instability. But, this fix lowers performance. Users have found some ways to work around the issue, including turning off XMP profiles and changing voltage settings. Still, without a clear solution from Intel, gamers and developers are becoming more and more frustrated.

Intel is still investigating and working with others to find a lasting solution. Everybody hopes for a fix that will finally bring back the stability and power expected from these processors. The matters of conclusion, Intel Core i9 stability, and ongoing investigation are crucial for users and the tech industry.