Intel has stated that the instability in 13th/14th gen CPUs is caused by elevated operating voltage due to issues in the CPU microcode, and that a microcode update is coming.
There's no admission or even acknowledgement of claims of processor defects. In fact, they use the word "root cause" when talking about the microcode. They are portraying the issue as being entirely a microcode bug, not a manufacturing defect.
If GamersNexus's sources are to be believed, then Intel is pushing a workaround and calling it a fix.
I look forward to GN's root cause analysis results coming back. I would bet money that they do in fact find evidence of physical defects.
And now Intel has stealthily edited in an admission on Reddit confirming that there "were" oxidation issues in 13th gen CPU manufacturing, but denying that it is the source of the instability issues.
The statement then backtracks even that a little bit, claiming that "small number of instability reports can be connected to the manufacturing issue".
A good comment on Reddit asks if Intel knew about and corrected a manufacturing defect last year, why have they been rejecting RMAs for those very chips this whole time?
Intel also denies that the oxidation issue affects 14th gen CPUs.
GN of course is unimpressed by Intel's statement:
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/99832...
External GPU dock.. still limited but I'm actually hoping Nvidia and someday AMD (if they can get their act together) goes down this path themselves. I'd much rather have an external box with its own PSU and a cable of some sorts that connects to the computer than dealing with these monster GPU's that now need their own stabilization bracket.
I'm sure working together with the Motherboard guys they can come up with an ePCI x16 cable that connects to the back of your mobo... someone will complain about the extra latency I'm sure lol.
Didn't nVidia come out with something like that years ago?
I don't even think they need to work with mobo manufacturers. Just make a cable that plugs into the PCI slot, right?
Isn't the problem though that you are adding hundreds of dollars to an already hundreds of dollars price gouged product?
With the amount of data these things are pushing, I would think that adding any physical distance between CPU/GPU/Memory would start creating massive latency and attenuation issues. I think the future is more likely to have the CPU plugging into the GPU or maybe withering away entirely.
Future PCs are probably going to look more like modern consoles.
Regarding the stabilization bracket. I have been thinking of getting a Thermaltake "The Tower" 500 which has the board rotated so the cards face the top of the case. I am looking to get it more for the aesthetics of my room (my PC sits on the left of the desk) but it would have the added benefit of putting the weight of the GPU on the bracket instead of the PCI slot. Desktop PCs might have to start moving in this direction.
Yeah the external GPU has been around for a while, I think the Razer Core is the most popular example. The problem has always been the price, with the enclosures being hundreds of dollars by themselves with no card. They were marketed as an option for laptops to get the heat out of your lap.
If I'm buying a new budget gaming computer should I buy an intel or AMD setup?
Given the issues Intel is having it seems like AMD is the current way to go.
If I'm buying a new budget gaming computer should I buy an intel or AMD setup?
regardless of budget, go with AMD. If your budget allows, get the 7800x3d, which is currently $309 on Amazon. Lowest is ever been, I think.
If I'm buying a new budget gaming computer should I buy an intel or AMD setup?
Depends on how budget. At a low enough number, it might make sense to consider 12th gen Intel, which is safe from the litany of issues that 13th and 14th gen have.
In most cases though, AMD is the way to go, and were the way to go even before Intel's failure rate problems.
The 5800x3d is bargain bin nowadays, no?
edit: looks like it is starting to be hard to get 
I've also been told that a prebuilt may be the way to go. I'm teetering on another amazon computer or just going to Costco.
I've also been told that a prebuilt may be the way to go. I'm teetering on another amazon computer or just going to Costco.
This is not the way
Drazzil wrote:I've also been told that a prebuilt may be the way to go. I'm teetering on another amazon computer or just going to Costco.
This is not the way
What do you recommend?
Build it yourself of course!
Build it yourself of course!
I would but that sounds like a major headache and something that could easily go very, VERY wrong.
Don't suppose you're local to Portland OR? (Sorry that was a terrible thing to ask. My brain caught up with me.) No one wants to be that guy.
I've actually done everything but my own power supply and motherboard.
JC wrote:Build it yourself of course!
I would but that sounds like a major headache and something that could easily go very, VERY wrong.
Don't suppose you're local to Portland OR? (Sorry that was a terrible thing to ask. My brain caught up with me.) No one wants to be that guy.I've actually done everything but my own power supply and motherboard.
Not as hard as it once was but there is nothing wrong with buying a prebuilt. Just make sure you're clear on what the warranty covers. Sometimes different components have different warranty periods (true whether you buy prebuilt or not) Costco is usually pretty great in that regard.
People are too hard on prebuilts. They look at a list of parts and see the markup that goes into a prebuilt, and say it's not worth it. And for a lot of people, it isn't. But for some people, it absolutely is. People that have experience with PC building can easily take for granted how obtuse and arcane some parts of the PC building experience really are.
What I'd like to see from PC enthusiasts is less crapping on prebuilts as a concept, and more steering people towards the best prebuilts.
So let's talk "good" prebuilts. Generally a prebuilt is falling into one of two categories: the "gaming" line of a large PC manufacturer, or a systems integrator.
For the former, Lenovo's Legion line, besides having the best product name possible, is consistently one of the better options. Quality from the big manufacturers can vary so much over time and across product lines, but the Legion line would be one of the first places I'd look at any given time.
For the latter, Skytech has usually been one of the better ones. They had a noteworthy negative review of a machine by GamersNexus which they seemed to own up to. Between their response to that and their overall strong track record outside of that, I'd give them a look.
Also, NewEgg's ABS brand seems to offer some good no-frills builds, built entirely with off-the-shelf components. These are probably the closest you can get to a "custom build but put together by someone else" kind of build, outside of a local PC store.
Now, if you have a lot of money, you can go with an outlet like Falcon Northwest or Origin, where you're paying a much higher margin in exchange for a more premium experience.
Avoid NewEgg, like the plaque M-pox.
My take is, if you can make something yourself, you should make it yourself. Building something yourself has three advantages.
1. You learn and understand how something works
2. If it breaks, you have a better idea how to fix it
3. You get to build it exactly the way you want.
There are reasons why one shouldn't build their own such as time to both research and build or in a few cases the prebuilt option is better then anything that can be built.
There is also a difference between prebuilt and custom computers. I would recommend if you like the idea of building your own computer but don't want to invest the time, you can always go to a custom builder who will take your parts list and do the building part for a fee.
I have a computer I am about ready to part ways with. Motherboard is dodgy. I am having wi-fi issues. Wi Fi drops suddenly, then cannot reconnect or connect with ANY wi fi short of a reboot. The video is having issues where the refresh ghosts across the screen about 10-15% of the time. I've updated video card drivers, tried to update bios (The MOBO is no longer supported by cyberpower)
I am certain it is the hardware. I've formatted a half dozen times over four years. The problems persist.
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9400F CPU @ 2.90GHz 2.90 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB
asrock B360m XTREME
nvidia geforce gtx 1660
Its about four years old.
For the former, Lenovo's Legion line, besides having the best product name possible...
This took me a while : D
Sound advice, I worked a long time ago building computers for a short while, and also tinkered with my earliest clones along with the father of one of my best friends who was quite knowledgeable on the inner workings of pcs back in the mid nineties, so I acquired a confidence around pc building not everyone may have early on, and still, there was a moment back when I was researching what to buy back in 2019-2020 to substitute my old pc that I considered simply picking up an AMD MiniPc with integrated graphics just to end my misery and upgrade for good (those were the days of absurd GPU prices) as the research and involvement required to fool-proof your costly investment was extenuating. If folks are on a hurry and pre-builts are available that pose little to no risk for them to take for a spin, let them do so. Not everyone is a full-time pc enthusiast. I'm a driver and love my car, and love driving, but I have zero notion of what my car does and how to improve on how it does it.
What I'd like to see from PC enthusiasts is less crapping on prebuilts as a concept, and more steering people towards the best prebuilts.
Amen.
I've been building my PCs for a while and for the next one I might consider a prebuilt simply because I may not want to spend the time and effort putting it together. And, frankly, good prebuilds come with better cable management that what I did with my current build. I would still encourage anyone to consider building themselves but if it's not for you, that's ok. Microcenter also offers the ability to build your custom PC if you happen to be close to one.
Microcenter also offers the ability to build your custom PC if you happen to be close to one.
Also worth mentioning that Microcenter has their house brand of "prebuilts", PowerSpec, which seem to more or less be standardized pre-assembled versions of the custom builds. Might be able to save some money over the complete custom build if there's a spec that matches what you want.
Ugh it pisses me off so much that the only Microcenter out in California is down by Irvine. Hey I've got an idea, how about sticking one in Thousand Oaks?
One is opening in the bay area later this year.
Oof santa clara.. probably faster for me to hop a plane to Orange County.
One is opening in the bay area later this year.
Hooray!
I wonder if it is a reopening of the one that was by the Mercado movie theatre?
With all of the Fry's gone, we need this badly.
Also, Thousand Oaks is a random pull... TO is where I grew up and went to HS 
My dad still lives there so I definitely would not object to one there.
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