Don't guess, measure! The proper action here would be to change BIOS settings from their default / "auto" settings to per-Intel-spec safe ones. Same for RAM, and on systems with known good power supplies, CPU cooling, software installs etc. Then one of the following will happen:
a) BIOS ignores user settings & problem persists.
b) BIOS applies user settings & problem goes away.
c) BIOS applies user settings but problem persists.
Cases a & b count as "faulty BIOS" (motherboard manufacturer caused). Case c counts as "faulty CPU", and replacement cpu may or may not fix that.
No need to guess. Just do the legwork on systems where problem occurs & power supply, RAM, CPU cooling & OS install can be ruled out. Sadly, no doubt there's many systems out there where that last condition doesn't hold.
I have a 13900K. The default BIOS settings set a maximum wattage of 4096W (!!!) that makes Prime95 fail. If I change the settings back to 253W, what Intel says is the maximum wattage, Prime95 stops failing.
Still, I don't know if I should RMA. I got the K version because I intended to overclock in the future. And all of this sounds like I won't be able to. I think increasing the voltage a little bit makes the system more stable. I have to play with it. (Really, if someone can say whether I should RMA or not, I would appreciate some input)
Edit: decided to RMA. I have no patience for a CPU that cost me +600€
Don't guess, measure! The proper action here would be to change BIOS settings from their default / "auto" settings to per-Intel-spec safe ones. Same for RAM, and on systems with known good power supplies, CPU cooling, software installs etc. Then one of the following will happen:
a) BIOS ignores user settings & problem persists.
b) BIOS applies user settings & problem goes away.
c) BIOS applies user settings but problem persists.
Cases a & b count as "faulty BIOS" (motherboard manufacturer caused). Case c counts as "faulty CPU", and replacement cpu may or may not fix that.
No need to guess. Just do the legwork on systems where problem occurs & power supply, RAM, CPU cooling & OS install can be ruled out. Sadly, no doubt there's many systems out there where that last condition doesn't hold.