Intel Processors and Unreal Engine: Addressing Recent Gaming Instabilities

The integration of various technologies in gaming often leads to compatibility challenges, and a recent issue has surfaced regarding Intel processors and Unreal Engine. This problem mainly affects certain Intel CPU models, causing instability in games and applications that utilize Unreal Engine.

Intel processor

Intel Processors and Unreal Engine: The Compatibility Issue

The Core Problem

The primary issue stems from specific BIOS settings on some Intel processors, particularly those in the 13th and 14th generations. These settings enable the CPUs to exceed standard operating frequencies and power limits under intense workload conditions. Unfortunately, this can lead to system instability, especially impacting games built with the Unreal Engine. Users might encounter errors like “Video Memory Exhausted,” leading to game crashes.

Affected Intel Processors

The problem is not widespread across all Intel CPUs but is isolated to a few models from the 13th and 14th generations. The processors identified as potentially affected include:

  • Intel Core i9 – 13900K
  • Intel Core i9 – 14900K
  • Intel Core i7-13700
  • Intel Core i7-14700

It’s important to note that not all units of these models are guaranteed to experience issues, but the risk is present due to the aforementioned BIOS settings.

Addressing the Compatibility Issues

BIOS Configuration Adjustments

To mitigate these compatibility problems, it’s recommended that users adjust their BIOS settings. This involves limiting the processor’s power consumption by methods such as undervolting, downclocking, or setting specific power/current limits for the CPU. These adjustments can help stabilize the system when running applications that use Unreal Engine.

Collaboration Between NVIDIA, Epic Games, and Developers

The discovery of this issue was a result of collaborative investigations involving NVIDIA, Epic Games, and several game developers. Their combined efforts have been crucial in identifying and proposing solutions to these compatibility problems.

Conclusion

For users of the affected Intel processors, particularly those engaged in gaming or using applications built on Unreal Engine, being aware of this issue is crucial. Adjusting BIOS settings can be an effective solution to prevent system instability and enhance the gaming experience. However, it’s always advisable to proceed with caution when making changes to BIOS configurations and to consult technical resources or support if needed.