This is arguably a very big deal for Intel 13th and 14th Gen CPUs. A fault in the microcode algorithms for these processors causes voltage spikes that may not be detectable by hardware monitors (HWINFO64, for example) that degrade the CPU over time. These lead to crashes that worsen over time. How long it takes for the degradation to occur from when the CPU was new depends on how heavily it's used.

Intel is releasing patches for these CPUs to fix their microcoding in mid-August (many say this will reduce performance, but not by a lot). The microcode patches will come via BIOS updates from motherboard manufacturers. In the meantime, Intel recommends updating your BIOS to the latest per your motherboard manufacturer and confirming you're using these default settings in the BIOS, depending on your CPU:

https://community.intel.com/t5/image...282C3BCB9162A9

Here is a Verge article on the subject, which includes a good overveiw of the issues (there's a separate oxidation issue affecting earlier releases of these CPUs), a Q&A with an Intel representative, and a link to an Intel-recommended video to help people test their systems for degradation (not 100% guranateed to identify it though):

https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/26/2...pu-voltage-q-a

Update since Verge article: Intel has promised to extend warranties on these processors for up to 5 years.

One game developer, Alderon Games, claims a nearly 100% failure rate of these CPUs with their own testing (obviously under heavy load):

https://www.pcmag.com/news/too-many-...defective-cpus

Intel promises the microcode update will stop any further degradation but won't fix any degradation that's already occurred.

Intel isn't getting a lot of love on the Internet or on Wall Street right now.