Intel Core i7-13700K Microcode Reports

Aus MattWiki

This article contains reports about my journey with Intel Core i7-13700K CPU and its various microcode updates.

Here I describe what my findings were with the different microcode updates, what I changed and what my test results were.

Attention / Warning: Whatever you read here is in no way, shape or form an endorsement for how to tune your hardware. It is only a report what I did and what my outcomes were.


Disclaimer: Anything you do change on your hardware you do on your own risk.

You have been warned.

My Configuration

My PC Configuration
Setting Value Comment
CPU Intel Core I7-13700K (unlocked) Raptor Lake Series

bought in December 2022

Mainboard MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi DDR5
RAM Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 2x32GB 5600MT/s
CPU Cooler BeQuiet Dark Rock Elite

Here is how I built it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XjVmPnIu1g

Microcode Update 0x12C

Initial Settings Profile

After the update I left most of the settings unchanged, but I looked at the following and set it as follows:

Setting Value Results in Comment
DDR Speed 5600 MHz XMP Profile 1
CPU Cooler Tuning Intel Default Setting PL1: 253W
EIST Enabled
Intel Turbo Boost Enabled
Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Enabled
Enhanced Turbo Disabled Was enabled by microcode update
Long Duration Power Limit(W) Auto 253W PL1
Long Duration Maintained(s) Auto 56s
Short Duration Power Limit(W) Auto 253W PL2
CPU Current Limit(A) Auto 307A
CPU Lite Load Control Normal
CPU Lite Load Auto Mode 12
CPU Over Temp. Protection Auto 100°C
CPU Under Voltage Protection Auto Disabled
IA CEP Support Auto Enabled

Test Results

Testing Environment
Software Name Version Build
Operating System Windows 11 Home 23H2 22631.5189
Benchmark Cinebench 2024 2024.1.0
Sensor Suite HWiNFO 64 8.24-5700


Profile with Lite Load Mode 9, IA CEP Disabled

Setting Value Results in Comment
DDR Speed 5600 MHz XMP Profile 1
CPU Cooler Tuning Intel Default Setting PL1: 253W
EIST Enabled
Intel Turbo Boost Enabled
Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Enabled
Enhanced Turbo Disabled
Long Duration Power Limit(W) Auto 253W PL1
Long Duration Maintained(s) Auto 56s
Short Duration Power Limit(W) Auto 253W PL2
CPU Current Limit(A) Auto 307A
CPU Lite Load Control Normal
CPU Lite Load Mode 9
CPU Over Temp. Protection Auto 100°C
CPU Under Voltage Protection Auto Disabled
IA CEP Support Disabled

Test Results

Testing Environment
Software Name Version Build
Operating System Windows 11 Home 23H2 22631.5189
Benchmark Cinebench 2024 2024.1.0
Sensor Suite HWiNFO 64 8.24-5700
Date / Time Software Test Result / Max Result / Average Comment
2024-04-26 17:15 HWiNFO Core VIDs 1.443V 1.347V
DTS: CPU Package Temperature 100°C 97°C Reached 100°C after few seconds

(Ambient Temp. 22°C)

Core Thermal Throttling Yes 98% Heavy Throttling
Package/Ring Thermal Throttling Yes 98% Heavy Throttling
CPU Package Power 298W 241W
Vcore 1.366V 1.311V
Cinebench 2024 CPU Multi Core 1678

Profile with Lite Load Mode 8, IA CEP Disabled

Setting Value Results in Comment
DDR Speed 5600 MHz XMP Profile 1
CPU Cooler Tuning Intel Default Setting PL1: 253W
EIST Enabled
Intel Turbo Boost Enabled
Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Enabled
Enhanced Turbo Disabled
Long Duration Power Limit(W) Auto 253W PL1
Long Duration Maintained(s) Auto 56s
Short Duration Power Limit(W) Auto 253W PL2
CPU Current Limit(A) Auto 307A
CPU Lite Load Control Normal
CPU Lite Load Mode 8
CPU Over Temp. Protection Auto 100°C
CPU Under Voltage Protection Auto Disabled
IA CEP Support Disabled

Test Results

Testing Environment
Software Name Version Build
Operating System Windows 11 Home 23H2 22631.5189
Benchmark Cinebench 2024 2024.1.0
Sensor Suite HWiNFO 64 8.24-5700
Date / Time Software Test Result / Max Result / Average Comment
2024-04-26 17:45 HWiNFO Core VIDs 1.392V 1.322V Never passed 1.4V
CPU Package Temperature (DTS) 99°C 94°C Ambient Temp. 22°C
Core Thermal Throttling Yes 6% Only little throttling
Package/Ring Thermal ThrottlingYes Yes 7% Only little throttling
CPU Package Power 293W 228W
Vcore 1.348V 1.287V Never passed 1.4V
Cinebench 2024 CPU Multi Core 1682