This issue is over a year old, so most of you probably already know this, but it's important, and I've recently encountered a couple users who didn't know about it ... so, I thought a quick public service announcement might be helpful?

I've recently added this info to my crash log analyzer, so I'll just copy what it says here:

• ⚠️ Intel 13th/14h Gen CPU Instability Risk: Your system uses an Intel 13th/14th generation processor, which if not on an updated BIOS has known stability issues that can cause random crashes and shorten CPU lifespan.

  • Check your microcode version: Open PowerShell and run: '0x{0:X}' -f [BitConverter]::ToUInt32((Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0").'Update Revision',0)

    • If the result is lower than 0x129, update your BIOS. Acceptable versions as of September 30, 2025 are: 0x129, 0x12B (September 2024), or the latest 0x12F (May 2025).

    • If the script doesn't work, make sure you include the entire line including the beginning ' character. You can also try alternative tools like HWInfo, CPU-Z, or the Intel® Processor Identification Utility.

  • Critical BIOS update required: Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for the latest BIOS/microcode update

  • Risk without update: Random crashes during CPU-intensive gameplay and potential shortened processor lifespan

  • Update availability: BIOS fixes are released by individual motherboard manufacturers — some may not have updates available

  • No BIOS update available? You may still be able to apply a software driver-level microcode update that loads during Windows startup. This won’t permanently update your BIOS, but it ensures the CPU runs with the latest microcode each boot. See this community guide for details: How to update your Intel microcode via driver.

  • Stress test tool: Run Intel's Processor Diagnostic Tool to stress-test your CPU.

    • Note: After updating, a stress test helps confirm if your CPU is still healthy — failures may indicate damage that the update cannot prevent (or reverse).

  • More information: Intel Community Thread with technical details

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Result(s) from Phostwood's Skyrim Crash Log Analyzer (v1.26.6)

🔎 Automate analysis of your Skyrim SE/AE crash logs at:

https://phostwood.github.io/crash-analyzer/skyrim.html

UPDATE October 3: I had a question elsewhere asking why this was necessary since Windows Updates (used to) ship with Intel microcode updates. It turns out they don't anymore...

Short answer from MS Copilot: "Windows Updates do not include the 13th/14th Gen instability microcodes — you must update BIOS or use a driver‑level loader"

"Microsoft does not automatically cover all 13th/14th Gen Intel CPUs with microcode updates. For the Raptor Lake instability issue, Intel explicitly stated that the critical microcode fixes (0x129, 0x12B, 0x12F) were being distributed only through motherboard BIOS updates, not through Windows Update. That’s why mentioned users still saw old revisions even with fully updated Windows — the OS never shipped those particular microcodes for their CPUs."