Users aren't happy about how Intel is handling its processors’ stability issues


Intel has finally addressed problems with its Core 13th and 14th generation desktop processors, but users aren't satisfied.

It's been half a year since Intel's stability issues with its Core 13th (i9-13900K/KF/KS) and 14th (i9-14900K/KF/KS) processors (CPUs), made in 2022 and 2023, started to emerge widely.

These CPUs, dubbed Raptor Lake, caused users' PCs to crash, including those from game developers and companies.

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This week, Intel finally broke silence about the issue, modestly addressing the problem via a post on Reddit.

The company said the issue stemmed from a microcode algorithm that resulted in incorrect voltage requests to the processor. According to Intel, the problem should be addressed via the patch sent to its partners in mid-August.

However, some of Intel's claims were questioned by the media, while users also expressed dissatisfaction about how the company is handling the problem.

One concern raised in the Reddit discussion was that the company didn't proactively approach customers about the problem.

"It is extremely unethical, and perhaps even illegal, to let your customers use CPUs you know will break eventually and not even inform them about it," one user commented.

Another user pointed out that Intel's chips are often used in corporate prebuilt systems, and dealing with defective chips can cause a lot of problems for businesses.

"It's hard for me to understand how providing a lookup tool to identify defective chips is not a priority for Intel," the user said.

Some claimed that Intel should recall affected CPUs.

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Meanwhile, German publication Igor's Lab (via Tom's Hardware) noticed that even though Intel says the mid-August patch should resolve the problem, the company itself isn't sure.

It isn’t clear how many CPUs have been affected by the problem. Intel says that only a small percentage of users may be affected, though some say the company may be downplaying the issue.