Intel Announces Two-Year Extended Warranty for All 13th/14th Gen Boxed Processors to Address Crashes and Instability Issues
Brook.X
Intel announced today new measures for its 13th/14th generation Core desktop platform processors, extending the warranty by two years for all such processors due to instability and crashing issues. This extension, combined with Intel's standard one-year warranty, totals three years of coverage.
The extended warranty comes after Intel identified the cause of the crashes and instability as errors in the processor microcode, which could lead to excessively high CPU voltages and damage.
For CPUs already experiencing crashes and instability, which cannot be fixed through microcode due to hardware damage, users can contact Intel's customer service department to request a replacement. Intel will retrieve the old CPU and send users a brand new one.
For CPUs that have not yet experienced these issues, Intel will release a microcode update mid-month to correct the issue. This update should be delivered through a BIOS firmware update to solve potential problems in these CPUs, preventing hardware damage and performance degradation.
Intel offers the following solutions for these issues:
- Improve customer service processes and subsequently provide simpler ways for users to determine if their CPU has been damaged;
- Users with damaged CPUs can directly apply for a replacement with a new CPU of the same model;
- Users without CPU damage will automatically receive two additional years of warranty, totaling three years from the purchase date;
- For motherboard bundles or complete PCs, the extended warranty will be handled through the OEM manufacturer, meaning users will need to contact the OEM for any issues.
Intel has not disclosed whether the microcode error has permanently damaged the hardware or if future microcode updates will affect overall CPU performance. However, since Intel has revealed that CPUs can sustain permanent damage, it is likely that excessive voltage has damaged the cores or transistors, a situation that cannot be fixed through microcode. Thus, Intel cannot continue to repair damaged hardware through microcode updates.
Therefore, if you have purchased an Intel 13th/14th generation Core desktop processor in the past year, it is advisable to contact Intel's customer service department as soon as possible. While extending the warranty is an option, direct replacement of the CPU might be a better solution, albeit more inconvenient for the user.
