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After Intel released a microcode update that turned my processor into one that retails for $100 less, I don't really trust claims or even benchmarks until they'

After Intel released a microcode update that turned my processor into one that retails for $100 less, I don't really trust claims or even benchmarks until they're > 1 year old. Intel also, as far as I'm concerned, owes me $100.

ndriscoll 1y ago
Doesn't microcode need to be reloaded each boot? Can't you just not load the update?
- metadat 1y ago
  Correct, they are typically applied through the BIOS. Not to be confused with Intel IME. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine
  - Hikikomori 1y ago
    Also through windows or Linux. Or is that not done anymore?
    - doubled112 1y ago
      It's still done this way too. https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Microcode https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Microcode
  - jeffbee 1y ago
    I am not sure why you tried to draw a distinction between the BIOS and the IME in that regard. The IME also stores its firmware in the SPI flash alongside the rest of the platform firmware.
- atVelocet 1y ago
  There two ways: Update the BIOS/UEFI which includes an updated microcode. Via software at runtime after each reboot (Windows/*nix).
bigyabai 1y ago
Disable mitigations (at your own risk)
- Blackthorn 1y ago
  As far as I'm aware there's no disabling this one, it's that 13th/14th gen performance "fix" (that coincidentally turns your processor into one that sells for $100 less).
  - dkiebd 1y ago
    Do you have any info about this? I got mine RMA’d and it works fine.
    - Blackthorn 1y ago
      Yeah, it "works" in that it's a processor and does things. But the "fix" they provided was to basically eliminate its top end performance (the thing that got benchmarked, and the reason it sells at a premium).
      - dkiebd 1y ago
        As far as I can tell that’s not what happened. What happened is that some motherboard manufacturers gave the chip too much power, more than intel recommended, and fried it.
        Blackthorn 1y ago
        That's what they claimed at first. Then investigation found widespread oxidation issues.
        dkiebd 1y ago
        How do you fix an oxidation issue with firmware.
gchamonlive 1y ago
Other comments miss the point entirely. Sure it's possible to circumvent this performance impact, but that's not without its risks and you are still right about being skeptical over performance claims.
- ddtaylor 1y ago
  I mean if the guy wants he can de-lid the processor and start fiddling around with transistors if he can operate at 6nm scale.
  - gchamonlive 1y ago
    - Hi, Intel customer support, how may I help you - I've delid the processor and now it doesn't work. Can I have it replaced under warranty? - dead tone

ndriscoll 1y ago

Doesn't microcode need to be reloaded each boot? Can't you just not load the update?

metadat 1y ago
Correct, they are typically applied through the BIOS. Not to be confused with Intel IME. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine
- Hikikomori 1y ago
  Also through windows or Linux. Or is that not done anymore?
  - doubled112 1y ago
    It's still done this way too. https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Microcode https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Microcode
- jeffbee 1y ago
  I am not sure why you tried to draw a distinction between the BIOS and the IME in that regard. The IME also stores its firmware in the SPI flash alongside the rest of the platform firmware.
atVelocet 1y ago
There two ways: Update the BIOS/UEFI which includes an updated microcode. Via software at runtime after each reboot (Windows/*nix).

bigyabai 1y ago

Disable mitigations (at your own risk)

Blackthorn 1y ago
As far as I'm aware there's no disabling this one, it's that 13th/14th gen performance "fix" (that coincidentally turns your processor into one that sells for $100 less).
- dkiebd 1y ago
  Do you have any info about this? I got mine RMA’d and it works fine.
  - Blackthorn 1y ago
    Yeah, it "works" in that it's a processor and does things. But the "fix" they provided was to basically eliminate its top end performance (the thing that got benchmarked, and the reason it sells at a premium).
    - dkiebd 1y ago
      As far as I can tell that’s not what happened. What happened is that some motherboard manufacturers gave the chip too much power, more than intel recommended, and fried it.
      - Blackthorn 1y ago
        That's what they claimed at first. Then investigation found widespread oxidation issues.
        dkiebd 1y ago
        How do you fix an oxidation issue with firmware.

gchamonlive 1y ago

Other comments miss the point entirely. Sure it's possible to circumvent this performance impact, but that's not without its risks and you are still right about being skeptical over performance claims.

ddtaylor 1y ago
I mean if the guy wants he can de-lid the processor and start fiddling around with transistors if he can operate at 6nm scale.
- gchamonlive 1y ago
  - Hi, Intel customer support, how may I help you - I've delid the processor and now it doesn't work. Can I have it replaced under warranty? - dead tone