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Etal
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Joined: 15 Jul 2005
Posts: 1931
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 Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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I have a question about microcode.
Dirtyepic mentions that it's possible to update the firmware for Intel processors, and I'm wondering what exactly it does. Should I load up the firware on my Intel laptop? What will I get if I do? Are there any disadvantages or performance issues?
Edit: Never mind. It was answered four years ago:
| Code: | > My question is, what are the advantages vs disadvantages in updating your
> CPU's microcode?
It'll fix known problems in the microcode thats in ROM on your CPU.
> Is it worth it?
In most cases, yes. It's zero cost. You don't waste RAM, as the
microcode gets loaded into small RAM areas on the CPU that are
otherwise unused.
> Can anyone explain reasons to or not to update the CPU microcode?
In some cases, your BIOS is doing this transparently already.
I've seen instances where moving a CPU between two motherboards
has meant that microcode_ctl has done an upgrade on one, and
done nothing on the other as its already up to date.
If you're already up-to-date, theres no reason to run it. |
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NeddySeagoon
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Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Posts: 54232
Location: 56N 3W
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| Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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I just know its a dup ... but I can't find a link.
If the P1 had had this facility, Intel would not have recalled all those processors affected with the 'Slight Loss of Precision' FPU problem.
They would have issued new microcode instead.
The microcode is stored in some ROM/FLASH/EEPROM inside the CPU but that storage is too slow, so its copied to RAM as a part of the CPU reset cycle. The microcode is used at full core speed, which only SRAM can achieve.
=== Edit ===
After some poking by desultory, I finally found this its not the one I was looking for but it covers the topic
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NeddySeagoon
Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail. |
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