Intel has had a rough year with its latest generation of CPUs. The company has been dealing with a major issue affecting its 13th and 14th Gen Core processors, primarily the high-end Core i9-14900K and Core i9-13900K models. The problem stems from voltage issues that can cause irreversible damage to the chips.
While Intel released a BIOS update to address the problem, it appears the issue persists. To make matters worse, Intel has not issued a product recall. Instead, they’ve opted for a warranty extension and a replacement program for affected customers.
Initially, the RMA process for faulty CPUs seemed to be running smoothly. However, recent reports suggest that Intel is facing a backlog of requests, leading to significant delays for users seeking replacements. One user on Reddit reported being told that Intel has run out of replacement Core i9-14900K and Core i9-13900K processors, leaving them with a wait of up to five weeks.
This delay has sparked frustration among affected users, who have expressed concerns about the lack of communication from Intel. The situation has become so dire that some users have been receiving 14th Gen Core i9-14900K processors as replacements for their 13th Gen Core i9-13900K chips. This suggests that Intel may be struggling to keep up with the demand for replacements, especially for the flagship models.
This situation highlights the challenges Intel faces in dealing with the faulty CPU issue. While they have offered a replacement program, the delays and lack of stock have caused significant inconvenience for affected users. It remains to be seen how long it will take for Intel to resolve the issue and restore confidence in its latest generation of CPUs.