Intel says it still doesn't have the true fix for its crashing i9 desktop chips
What has Intel identified as a potential contributing factor to the instability issues in their 13th and 14th Gen Core i9 processors?
Intel has identified an incorrect value in a microcode algorithm associated with the Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB) feature as a potential contributing factor to the instability issues in their 13th and 14th Gen Core i9 processors. This issue may allow the processor to enter a higher performance state even when the processor temperature has exceeded eTVB thresholds. However, Intel states that this is not the root cause of the problem and is continuing to investigate with its partners.
What specific models of Intel processors are experiencing the issue of causing games to crash?
The specific models of Intel processors experiencing the issue of causing games to crash are the 13th and 14th Gen Intel Core i9 "Raptor Lake" and "Raptor Lake S" chips, including the Core i9-13900K and i9-14900K. Some users have also reported issues with the Core i7-13700K series. These processors have been reported to cause crashes in games, particularly those using the Unreal Engine, and other applications.
What is the Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB) feature, and how is it related to the reported instability of Intel's processors?
Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB) is a feature in Intel's processors that allows the processor to increase its clock speed when it has thermal headroom and turbo power budget available1. It is an extension of Intel's Turbo Boost Technology, which opportunistically increases the processor's frequency beyond its rated operating frequency when the workload and thermal conditions allow for it.
The reported instability of Intel's 13th and 14th Gen Intel Core i9 "Raptor Lake" and "Raptor Lake S" chips is partially related to the eTVB feature. Leaked internal Intel documents suggest that the processors have been erroneously overclocking their own cores using eTVB, even when they should have known they were running too hot to do so. Intel has confirmed that this issue is potentially contributing to the instability but is not the root cause. The company is continuing to investigate the issue with its partners.