(Credit: Michael Justin Allen Sexton/PCMag)
Asus and MSI are now rolling out preventative software patches to address an Intel CPU bug that can destabilize and damage 13th and 14th Generation Core desktop chips.
Both motherboard vendors released the patch through beta versions of their BIOS updates for various models.
MSI's patch is called "0x129 microcode." But it's only designed to "mitigate the instability," not repair the entire issue, MSI says, because the CPU bug can irreversibly degrade an affected Intel chip — something that software can’t fully fix. MSI's patch applies to six motherboard models:
- MEG Z790 GODLIKE MAX
- MEG Z790 ACE MAX
- MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II
- MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI
- MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI (No update listed yet)
- Z790MPOWER
But the company adds: “All BIOS of Intel 700 and 600 series motherboards and 14th /13th Generation Desktop PC will be released soon in coming weeks by the end of August.” To download the patch, users should search for the support page of their MSI motherboard, which should list the beta BIOS update containing the 0x129 microcode fix.
Meanwhile, Asus has only posted about the beta BIOS updates through a company forum. But the vendor is releasing the updates for a larger range of 20 motherboard models. Download links for each beta BIOS update are in the forum post.
Intel has released a list of all the 13th and 14th Generation Core desktop processors that could encounter the CPU bug. In addition, the company has pledged to replace affected chips with new units if consumers contact Intel through its customer support channel.
To appease PC builders, Intel has also extended the product warranty for the affected chips from three to five years. (That said, not every PC maker of prebuilt desktops carrying the processors has pledged to extend the warranties.)
Although still in beta form, the 0x129 microcode patch promises to provide some relief for consumers concerned about their Intel processors. Still, Intel’s handling of the CPU bug—which has been lingering for months—has already seriously damaged the company’s reputation when some customers are demanding it issue an official recall.
It's unclear when other motherboard makers will release the microcode fix. But in response to the controversy, Intel told PCMag: “We are committed to making sure all customers who have or are currently experiencing instability symptoms on their 13th and/or 14th Gen desktop processors are supported in the exchange process.”