Industry-wide Issue With Intel Core 13th and 14th Generation i5, i7, and i9 Processors

This issue affects Dell and Alienware desktop, tower, and workstation computers.

The identified Intel processors can encounter unstable applications, Windows blue screen errors, or it can stop responding.

The Intel processors involved include:

13th Generation Intel Core

• I5-13600K
• I5-13600KF
• I7-13700
• I7-13700F
• I7-13700K
• I7-13700KF
• I9-13900
• I9-13900F
• I9-13900K
• I9-13900KF

14th Generation Intel Core

• I5-14600K
• I7-14700
• I7-14700F
• I7-14700K
• I7-14700KF
• I9-14900
• I9-14900F
• I9-14900K
• I9-14900KF

Dell models with affected processors:

• ChengMing 3910/3911
• Inspiron 3020 Desktop
• Inspiron 3020 Small Desktop
• Inspiron 3030 Desktop
• Inspiron 3030 Small Desktop
• OptiPlex All-In-One 7410
• OptiPlex All-in-One Plus 7410
• OptiPlex All-in-One 7420
• OptiPlex All-in-One Plus 7420
• OptiPlex Micro 7010
• OptiPlex Micro Plus 7010
• OptiPlex Micro 7020
• OptiPlex Micro Plus 7020
• OptiPlex Small Form Factor 7010
• OptiPlex Small Form Factor Plus 7010
• OptiPlex Small Form Factor 7020
• OptiPlex Small Form Factor Plus 7020
• OptiPlex Tower 7010
• OptiPlex Tower Plus 7010
• OptiPlex Tower 7020
• OptiPlex Tower Plus 7020
• Precision 3260 Compact
• Precision 3260 XE Compact
• Precision 3280 Compact
• Precision 3280 XE Compact
• Precision 3460 Small Form Factor
• Precision 3460 XE Small Form Factor
• Precision 3660 Tower
• Precision 3660 XE Tower
• Precision 3680 Tower
• Precision 3680 XE Tower
• Vostro 3020 Small Desktop
• Vostro 3020 Tower Desktop
• Vostro 3030 Desktop
• Vostro 3030 Small Desktop

Alienware and XPS with affected processors:

• Alienware Aurora R15
• Alienware Aurora R16
• XPS 8960

Intel states that the elevated operating voltage stemming from a microcode algorithm results in incorrect voltage requests to the processor which causes the issue. For Intel’s statement, see: July 2024 Update on Instability Reports on Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen Desktop Processors

Dell Engineering incorporated a microcode update from Intel into the computer BIOS updates for all identifiable models. These BIOS updates are available on the Dell Support Website from May 02, 2025 to maintain stability of the processors. Dell highly recommends updating your computer to the latest BIOS revision available. (It contains the updated Intel microcode.)

For more information about how to update the BIOS of your computer, reference: BIOS Update Guide

Contact Dell Technical Support for assistance in troubleshooting and diagnosing your computer if your computer experiences blue screens or application crashes after updating the BIOS.