Intel released another important update for its 13th and 14th Gen Raptor Lake desktop processors.
The update comes in response to a critical issue that could lead to permanent damage and system crashes for users of these CPUs.
The latest microcode update, labeled 0x12B, is being distributed to motherboard manufacturers to help prevent one of the main causes of damage. Specifically, it addresses a problem where the CPU could draw excessive power during light tasks or idle states. When too much voltage is supplied, the processor can degrade faster than expected.
While this update aims to prevent future issues, it doesn’t resolve the problem of chips that are already showing signs of failure. Intel advises affected users to reach out for warranty support, as damaged processors are covered under an extended warranty. It’s worth noting that previous BIOS updates also included fixes to reduce the risk of damage, and users may want to install them as soon as possible rather than waiting for this new release.
Intel has not yet disclosed the exact number of affected chips, nor has it provided specific details on which batches may have been hit by these instability issues. However, the company did clarify that its Raptor Lake laptop processors are not impacted by the same voltage problem affecting the desktop chips. If your desktop CPU is already showing signs of instability, it’s best to seek a replacement directly through Intel or your PC manufacturer under their extended warranty.
