Intel Prepares to Update Microcode to Protect Raptor Lake Processors

Intel has announced yet another microcode update to protect its 13th and 14th generation Intel Core processors (Raptor Lake) from failures. The new patch, version 0x12B, is intended for implementation by motherboard manufacturers and is designed to address one of the main causes of processor damage.

The primary goal of this update is to reduce the amount of power requested by the processors when they are idle or performing light tasks. According to Intel, increased voltage is the root cause of instability in Raptor Lake processors and can lead to irreversible chip degradation. An error in the microcode algorithm results in incorrect voltage requests, ultimately causing processor damage.

Intel reports that motherboard manufacturers will need several weeks to test and deploy BIOS updates containing the microcode fix. This update also includes previous patches that have helped prevent damage, as well as new power settings to further reduce potential risks.

In September, the company began replacing defective processors with new chips or offering refunds. Leading PC manufacturers have also expressed their willingness to extend the warranty period for chips affected by stability issues.

As of now, Intel has not disclosed how many Raptor Lake processors have been affected by these issues. However, the manufacturer insists that their mobile chips are not susceptible to the stability problems, although there have been reports of similar failures in Raptor Lake mobile chips.