Intel disables AVX-512 support in Alder Lake in new BIOS for 600 Series motherboards

While they do not have official support for AVX-512, the high-performance cores of Alder Lake CPUs can execute such instructions if the high-efficiency cores are disabled, and apparently Intel is not happy with this, so they disabled their support. in the latest microcode that is already being incorporated into the new BIOSes for 600 Series motherboards.

Another notable change that Intel made is to set a 5.1GHz limit for when AVX2 instructions are executed, reducing the frequency to 5.1GHz even if we have a higher frequency set for the rest of the tasks. Some manufacturers will allow modifying this value in the BIOS on high-end models, although once set it cannot be modified by software since Intel’s 5.1GHz limit will be activated again.

Some users are modifying the new BIOS to inject old microcodes and avoid these changes

Some users began to modify the new BIOS for their motherboards, seeking to maintain benefits such as better memory stability but without losing support for AVX-512, injecting old versions of microcode in these new BIOS.

Since this is something that requires advanced knowledge, it is not something we recommend doing, although you can find already tested versions in some forums. If you want to try one of these modified BIOSes, it is important that they see that several users have tried them and that everything works correctly to avoid being upset when seeing that the BIOS that they have just flashed has problems and their system does not work correctly, or even stops working. absolutely.

Intel has not yet provided an explanation for why it took this action

Intel has yet to explain why it made this decision to artificially limit its new Alder Lake CPUs by preventing the use of instructions supported by the hardware. It will be interesting to see if they make any statements about it, and what is the justification they take for removing supported instructions when CPUs are already on the market, although this will most likely never happen.

Possibly the decision was made to force users who require AVX-512 to buy CPUs for workstations which are more expensive and generate higher profits for Intel, although clearly the company cannot come out to say this, so surely refrain from giving statements.

What do you think about this decision by Intel to limit its Alder Lake CPUs when they are already on the market? Do you think they will reverse the decision if the public expresses their discontent?

Source: Igor’s Lab