Intel’s 14th Gen Core CPUs Lagging 10%+ Due to Power Limits, Trailing Behind Ryzen 9 7950X

ASUS introduces "Intel Baseline" profile on Z790 motherboards to address instability and crashing issues with Intel's 14th Gen Core CPUs, caused by amped-up power limits, resulting in a trade-off in CPU performance.

The "Intel Baseline" profile addresses reported instabilities and crashes during gaming.
Switching to Intel's official power specifications can mitigate these problems.
The introduction of the "Intel Baseline" profile serves as a temporary solution to address the reported instabilities.

Intel’s 14th Gen Core CPUs have been facing some setbacks recently, with reports of instability and crashing during gaming. ASUS, one of Intel’s board partners, has taken action to address these issues by introducing the “Intel Baseline” profile on its Z790 motherboards. This profile reverts to the chipmaker’s official power limits for the affected processors.

The root cause of the instabilities has been identified as the amped-up power limits set by default on the motherboards. By switching to Intel’s official power specifications, users can mitigate these problems. The new profile, included in the BIOS settings with version 1202, reduces the boost power limit to 253W and incorporates features like “Current Excursion Protection” and “Intel’s Fail-Safe” for power and voltage regulation.

However, it is important to note that using the official power spec does come with a trade-off in CPU performance. For instance, the Core i9-14900KS experiences a 12-13% drop in multi-threaded performance when utilizing the “Intel Baseline” profile. On the ASUS ROG Z790 Apex Encore, the Cinebench R23 nT score decreases from 40,998 to 35,851 points after switching to Intel’s official power specifications. As a result, the Core i9-14900KS falls behind AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X, which is already two years old, in the multi-threaded benchmark.

Interestingly, the performance gap between the Core i9-13900K/KS and the Core i9-14900k/KS diminishes significantly. This suggests that the latter is essentially a rebranded version of the former, performing at a similar level. While this may not come as a surprise for rebranded products, it does raise questions about Intel and its partners’ handling of “factory” power limits.

Moving forward, it is expected that Intel and its partners will exercise greater caution when setting power limits for their processors. The introduction of the “Intel Baseline” profile by ASUS serves as a temporary solution to address the reported instabilities. Users who have experienced issues with their 13th and 14th Gen Core processors are encouraged to switch to the official power specifications to ensure a more stable gaming experience.

Source: Overclock (via HXL)

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Background Information

About AMD:

AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

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About ASUS:

ASUS, founded in 1989 by Ted Hsu, M.T. Liao, Wayne Hsieh, and T.H. Tung, has become a multinational tech giant known for its diverse hardware products. Spanning laptops, motherboards, graphics cards, and more, ASUS has gained recognition for its innovation and commitment to high-performance computing solutions. The company has a significant presence in gaming technology, producing popular products that cater to enthusiasts and professionals alike. With a focus on delivering and reliable technology, ASUS maintains its position as a important player in the industry.

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About Intel:

Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

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CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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Z790: The Z790 chipset is a motherboard platform from Intel that supports the 12th Gen Core, 13th Gen Core CPUs and 14th Gen Core CPUs. It offers more PCIe Gen 4 lanes and USB 3.2x2 ports than the previous Z690 chipset, which can enable faster storage and connectivity options.