Ive no idea actually. I do know microcode is (1) pushed faster to Linux and (2) don't require anything as they can be run at boot time.
These same changes are pushed somewhat later to Windows OS (there was some dull malware a month or two ago) but what testing they do I've no idea. Presumably it is confidential.
You can't get in a muddle with Microcode though - Linux kernel abstracts it and so does Windows. AFAIK anyway.
I perused and searched through MS's knowledge-base. Not finding my answer, I contacted Microsoft directly.
Unless there is a severe problem causing Windows stability issues - traced to errant CPU microcode, MS does not issue microcode updates as part of the normal Windows Update process. So in a Windows environment there are only two options for Microcode updates:
1) Updated BIOS from the MB mfg.
2) Using the VMWare tool as outlined and suggested near the beginning of this thread.
Outside of these two solutions - there is no native Windows mechanism of updating the CPU's microcode.
FYI folks,
Dave
Hi,
The estimated life cycle of which is 5 years at best. Beyond they just do no not care. Which is why 2) is a godsend to some of us.1) Updated BIOS from the MB mfg.
Cheers,
I have an AMD FX-6100 CPU. SiSoft Sandra says there's a CPU Microcode update available, but of course give me zero information on the current revision or the available revision.
The latest microcode_amd.bin I can find is around a year old. I got the VMWare utility installed and after finding where in the system logs it reports, it insists my CPU doesn't need an update.
To find that, go to Control Panel. Search for Event. Click View Event Logs. Open Windows Logs. Click on System.
Over in the right pane, click Find and search for cpumcupdate
So, does anyone know where to get the absolute latest AMD microcode updates for Socket AM3 CPUs? Asrock won't be supplying them in a BIOS update for my board. Surprising they released the beta BIOS with support for AM3+
I've been running many different benchmarks on the FX-6100 to get a baseline so I can see how much/little an FX-6300 improves on it. Would be mice to have up to date microcode to see if that has any effect.
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