Briefly: Intel CPU homeowners planning to request a substitute in response to the latest wave of crashes ought to think about beginning the method as quickly as potential. Quite a few buyer feedback point out that Intel’s reserve provides of Thirteenth and 14th-generation Raptor Lake chips have gotten critically low.
Prospects ordering substitute Thirteenth and 14th-gen Intel CPUs have began receiving notices from the corporate that inventory is no longer available. Affected customers could also be with out a functioning Raptor Lake processor for a minimum of a month.
In early August, Intel launched a substitute program for customers experiencing CPU crashes attributable to a microcode error affecting voltage administration. The chipmaker additionally prolonged warranties for boxed processors by two years, whereas OEMs now supply comparable ensures.
For the reason that starting of the 12 months, a number of sources have reported that high-end Raptor Lake chips have skilled excessive failure charges throughout demanding duties. Intel launched a microcode replace to motherboard companions that resolves the problem with out considerably impacting efficiency.
Customers whose Thirteenth or 14th-generation CPUs have not but crashed ought to verify with their motherboard producers for BIOS updates to use Intel’s patch. Sadly, the repair can’t restore processors already displaying indicators of degradation, and they’ll must be changed.
The rising variety of RMAs seems to have strained Intel’s provide of reserve chips. Some prospects returning Ok-series CPUs obtained KF models as replacements, which lack built-in graphics. Others who despatched in Thirteenth-generation processors obtained free 14th-generation upgrades.
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Nonetheless, some unlucky prospects have not obtained any substitute chips, doubtlessly leaving them with out a functioning CPU for weeks. Requesting a refund is another choice, however it might restrict customers’ selections because it solely covers the processor.
Buying a CPU unaffected by the microcode error that also suits the Raptor Lake motherboard socket may imply downgrading to a low-end mannequin, selecting a variant that does not help overclocking, or choosing a Twelfth-generation Alder Lake chip. Alternatively, switching to an AMD Ryzen CPU or ready for Intel’s upcoming Arrow Lake collection would require shopping for a brand new motherboard.
Intel not too long ago unveiled the Lunar Lake collection for laptops and is anticipated to disclose Arrow Lake later this 12 months. The corporate claims that neither lineup is affected by the glitch that’s inflicting points with Raptor Lake chips.
