Intel chip bug FAQ: Which PCs are affected, how to get the patch, and everything else you need to know

Below is a list provided by Intel. According to the company, only the desktop versions are affected and not the mobile/laptop versions:

Intel describes them as instability issues “commonly experienced as consistent application crashes and repeated hangs.”

It depends on how you acquired the PC or processor:

• Boxed processors (you bought a processor for a PC you built) – Contact Intel Customer Support.
• Tray processors (you’re a system builder who buys a lot of chips) – Contact the place of purchase.
• OEM/System Integrator Intel Core 13th/14th Gen-powered desktop system (you bought a pre-built PC) – Contact your system manufacturer.

Intel has extended the warranty for affected processors by two years. 

Who covers the cost of swapping out processors on a system you built yourself or those smaller system builder companies? Intel has been silent. 

Also: Microsoft is changing how it delivers Windows updates: 4 things you need to know

Similarly, there is no guidance for consumers who may have paid for repairs thinking the issue was related to factors such as incorrect installation or overclocking.

The patch — called “microcode 0x129” — prevents the elevated voltages from being sent to the cores, and should prevent both the crashes and instability issues, and stop the CPU from being damaged by elevated voltages. 

It is important to note that this update will not fix damaged hardware. If the PC has crashed or been unstable due to this issue, the CPU is damaged. 

Also: How to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account, and tricks to avoid a Microsoft account

But, Intel has said that it is investigating possible “mitigations” for systems already showing symptoms, and will have more information by the end of August. However, Intel continues to recommend that affected users get their processors swapped out under warranty.

This is where things get messy.

It had been assumed that Intel and motherboard makers would make use of Windows Update to push the patch out to affected systems. However, users will now need to download and install BIOS updates from the relevant motherboard manufacturer. To do this, you need to know what motherboard you have (this guide will help you identify your hardware), download the patch for the appropriate motherboard, and correctly install it.

So far, at the time of writing, MSI and Asus have published information on BIOS updates. But there’s no word on when other motherboard manufacturers will release updates.

While the update will not prevent unlocked chips, Intel recommends users “proceed with caution when overclocking their desktop processors, as overclocking may void their warranty and/or affect system health,” and also recommends “customers with Intel Core 13th- and 14th-Gen desktop processors utilize the Intel Default Settings.”

According to Intel’s investigations, future products are all unaffected by this issue.