I’ve got an Intel processor, do I need this?

Topic

I just got this AMD Microcode update in my Update Manager (picture below).  I’ve got an Intel CPU.  What gives?

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

Replies

That doesn’t mean it’s for AMD processors.

It’s called AMD64-microcode because AMD were the first to deploy it as a standard when issuing microcode updates.

See Why do I have both amd64-microcode and intel-microcode packages installed for more details.

2 users thanked author for this post.

TechTango, Charlie

You should install it.

Edit to add: If you’re worried about borking your computer as the OP was in @n0ads link, that borking bug was only for some Asus computers. IIRC you have a Sony? No guarantees but you are extremely likely to not be affected by the bug.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Charlie

What caused my concern is that Line of text at the bottom of my screenshot that says:

“For Intel processors, please refer to the Intel-microcode package.”

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

Have you been offered the latest Intel microcode patch? It was released to Ubuntu on Sept 25. You can find the Ubuntu dscription here:
https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7033-1

The Amd description from October 21 is here:
https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7077-1

It’s hard to tell what exactly they mean when they say AMD. They could mean processors made by AMD or they could mean what @n0ads was referring to in an above post. You’ll note that when they use ‘Intel’, its “Intel(R)”; when they refer to ‘AMD’ its just “AMD”. I’m not a lawyer so I don’t know the significance – if any – of using or not using ‘(R)’

My daily driver has an Intel(R) processor and it was offered the Sept.25 Intel microcode patch and also the Oct 21 AMD patch. I’ve installed the Inter patch with no issues and intend to install the AMD patch in the next day or two. FWIW I have a lot more confidence in offered updates from Mint than I do in those offered from MS or macOS.

DrBonzo wrote:

Have you been offered the latest Intel microcode patch? It was released to Ubuntu on Sept 25.

Yes, I have an Intel microcode update installed dated Sept. 26, 2024.  I agree that when it comes to certain things, they could be a lot clearer.  For instance, in my screenshot they say “Processor microcode firmware for AMD CPUs”, not AMD and Intel CPU’s.  That combined with the bottom line referring to the Intel-microcode package, and it really makes you wonder what’s going on.

I may wait a little longer and do some more research on this.  Thanks again.

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

1 user thanked author for this post.

DrBonzo

Okay, I went to the link n0ads provided and perused that forum at the Linux Mint website.  I read some things I didn’t know before about AMD and Intel microcode interchange.  I’m think I’m okay now.  Thanks.

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

1 user thanked author for this post.

DrBonzo

I think this will sum things up:  AMD64 refers to Intel processors in sort of the same way as X86, X64, etc.  If in the description they would have said AMD and AMD64 processors, I might have gotten it a lot sooner!  Feeling a little better now.

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

This topic/question comes up often on the Linux Mint forums (such as this latest one).

It’s normal to receive both AMD and Intel microcode updates on a Ubuntu based system, regardless of the actual CPU that is being used. This is due to Canonical (organization behind Ubuntu) designing their kernel to include both software packages: amd64-microcode and intel-microcode, so that the kernel will work with either processor (during OS installation or if the CPU/motherboard were ever changed). During boot the kernel only loads the microcode specific to the actual CPU used.

This is why there is already an old version installed/listed on your system and an update is available for it. So it’s best to trust Update Manager and install what is offered (recommended to take a Timeshift snapshot first). Or to hide it so it no longer shows in Update Manager, right click on it and choose “Ignore all future updates for this package”.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Charlie, DrBonzo

Thank you Mothy, that explained things very well.  I’m learning a lot of things about Linux Mint and am very appreciative of those who take the time to share knowledge with me.  I installed the microcode listed in the screenshot above and all appears to be fine.

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

1 user thanked author for this post.

Mothy

This topic has been resolved to my satisfaction so I’m marking it Resolved.  Thanks again to all of you who helped me out.  I’m trusting the Linux Mint Update Manager more too!

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

1 user thanked author for this post.

Mothy