Connect with us

Published

on


We first reported on the Intel CPU instability issue in February 2024, and since then, Intel has offered various fixes that helped, but still failed to fix the problem once and for all. Now, it finally seems like the owners of Intel’s best CPUs might be able to rest easy soon enough. Intel has shared a new update that pinpoints the four causes of Raptor Lake problems and provides a fix.
Intel’s July update on the matter disclosed that the company was aware of issues within the microcode and that the problem was related to incorrect voltages. Today’s update breaks this down into four operating scenarios that can cause problems. Intel now refers to these long-lasting issues as the “Vmin Shift Instability.”
“Intel has localized the Vmin Shift Instability issue to a clock tree circuit within the IA core which is particularly vulnerable to reliability aging under elevated voltage and temperature. Intel has observed these conditions can lead to a duty cycle shift of the clocks and observed system instability,” said Thomas Hannaford in an Intel community post. Breaking it down into simpler terms, Intel has confirmed that increased voltage affects the stability of these processors, even if operating within warrantied voltages.
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Intel’s already provided microcode updates for three out of the four identified root causes behind the Vmin Shift instability. This includes:

Some motherboards pushed the power delivery settings higher than what Intel recommended. This was addressed with Intel’s Baseline Profiles, which ended up being quite confusing.
An eTVB (efficient thermal velocity boost) microcode algorithm allowed Intel CPUs to run at higher performance modes despite elevated temperatures, thus endangering the processor. A June 2024 BIOS update fixed this problem.
Another microcode algorithm (serial voltage identification, or SVID) requested high voltages combined with just the right frequency and duration to make the CPU unstable. Intel addressed this in August.
Finally, Intel reports that the microcode and the BIOS were requesting elevated core voltages, which caused the Vmin Shift instability when the CPU was running light tasks or even was completely idle.

This final root cause of Vmin Shift is now being addressed by Intel. The company is releasing a microcode update, 0x12B, which includes the previous two updates and also fixes the elevated voltage requests. Depending on your motherboard vendor, you might have to wait — the update is being rolled out and it’ll probably take a little while for everyone’s BIOS updates to be up for grabs.
Intel assured that the new microcode shouldn’t have any impact on performance, citing internal benchmarks in tools like Cinebench R23 or Crossmark, as well as gaming tests in Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and more. The company also reaffirmed that, despite previous reports, the Vmin Shift instability doesn’t affect laptops and CPUs of other generations.
Is this really the end of unstable Intel CPUs? We’ll have to wait and see, but right now, Intel certainly appears to think so — and that’s great news for those who are using CPUs like the Core i9-14900K. It might finally be time to breathe a sigh of relief and keep an eye out for those microcode updates.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-cpu-instability-root-cause-and-fixes/

News

Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice

Published

on

A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.

Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice

Continue Reading

News

NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests

Published

on

National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”

NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests

Continue Reading

News

Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum

Published

on

Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.

Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024