Windows: How to get latest CPU microcode without modding the BIOS

what link, new microcode for fix this, my cpu is xeon x5650, intel has fixed this?

 

there is no patched microcode for your plaform atm. might be in a few weeks , but can't say for sure.

 

Well according to this post Kaby Lake CPUs should be on v80 of the firmware/Microcode and that's what the software that can display the microcode such as HWINFO and that is what it says.
https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/w...t-modding-the-bios.418806/page-4#post-5510504
But my BIOS says that the Microcode version is 5e rather than 80 maybe that could be the reasoning of the results of your Mitigation utility that you made. The stepping of my CPU is B0. Which is a 7700HQ.

 

Asrock has update some more MB today starting to see some Z170 boards
https://www.asrock.com/support/index.us.asp?cat=bBIOS

 

Intel has aknowledged that the firmware updates it has recently released to address the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities can cause sudden reboots on a range of CPUs.
https://newsroom.intel.com/news/fir...ial-performance-data-for-data-center-systems/

 

And so there is a new firmware? Why is this important? I mean judging by the thread it looks important.

 

Because there's a security flaw in the current microcode that can allow access to hidden system memory, monitor keystrokes, etc.

 

There is no security flaw in the (old) microcode. The new MicroCode just makes the CPUs terrible slow, so the flaw in the CPU design can't be used so easily anymore.

 

all the new microcode does is enable previously unexposed capabilities (IBRS,STIBP, and IBPB) that allow software to mitigate spectre, the microcode doesn't make them slower, patched software that uses the new features do.

if your running unpatched software, the new microcode will do nothing

 

Erm... no? My PC is 60% slower with the MicroCode for IO SSD... there is no patched Software part of this. So I will never use this disgusting MC. It makes your PC unusable.

 

software part is OS updates from the CU's

 

meltdown is mitigated via software patches to the os ,spectre is mtigated through software patches to the os and/or programs + microcode, if you did a fresh install of any os not patched for meldown or spectre, you will see no difference, HOWEVER, there are indeed problems with the new microcode, since intel has acknowledged reboot issues with the new microcode, they will be releasing another update next week if i recall correctly.

another thing to note is that if you do not install the microcode , there could be a performance hit in the future as a workaround now known as retpoline, can be used to mitigate spectre, it is not clear whether retpoline will have a greater or lesser impact than the microcode + soft patches approach down the line, as both of these fixes are not fully optimized yet.
, it is also unknown as to whether microsoft will implement retpoline at all, and if not , you will be vulnerable to spectre without the new features provided by the microcode.

details on retpoline here https://support.google.com/faqs/answer/7625886

Quick over view on speculation based attack mitigation (IBRS,STIBP, and IBPB) https://newsroom.intel.com/wp-conte...is-of-Speculative-Execution-Side-Channels.pdf

 

Microcode revision guidance from Intel
https://newsroom.intel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2018/01/microcode-update-guidance.pdf

 

not contain update for

westmere-EP for xeon x55xxxx and x56xx

 

looks like it will be a while before we see any updates, hp has pulled all of the updated bioses, due to the botched microcode from intel.
all of the dates have been changed to TBD. probably gonna be mid febuary or later before sandy and earlier sees anything.

 

still nothing from Asrock for z170 boards, and i still see no microcode updates are pushed by MS either

 

Intel hasn't released them yet.

 

I thought the stablized the microcode 2 weeks ago? and released them to manufactures

 

I think its only 270/370 (latest Intel MB support), if you look at station-driver lately there a bunch of 270/370 bios listed from this month.
http://www.station-drivers.com/index.php?lang=fr

I would think next month may have broader support, maybe. maybe MS too.

 

That was skylake only. Word from manufacturers is that they have pre-release stuff but it sure ain't out for us normies yet