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Attoy
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2018/01/05 10:56:26 (permalink)
Do we have to expect a BIOS update for the Meltdown/Spectre bug? I guess Meltdown is software patchable but Spectre needs a microcode update, am I wrong? If the latter does EVGA release an updated BIOS soon?
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    Sajin
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/05 11:02:48 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Attoy 2018/01/05 11:33:37
    A bios update will need to be installed for the patches to be fully enabled. Meltdown is software patchable. Spectre cannot be completely blocked by software.
    post edited by Sajin - 2018/01/05 11:15:47


    See my current build here: https://forums.evga.com/My-bench-rig-unlimited-power-m3596024.aspx
    RTX 2080 Ti 4-way SLI?!?!: https://forums.evga.com/RTX-2080-Ti-4way-SLi-set-by-yours-truly-m2954756.aspx
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    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/05 11:07:42 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Attoy 2018/01/05 11:33:35
     
    You will find more Information in this Thread Intel: Serious Vulnerability Speculation in all CPUs as well.
    And this one Meltdown & Spectre Windows utility 
     
    post edited by bcavnaugh - 2018/01/05 11:13:27

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    Attoy
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/05 11:33:31 (permalink)
    Thanks for the clarification @Sajin and @bcavnaugh . We need to wait for EVGA to release an updated BIOS then, if they ever release it.
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    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/05 12:35:22 (permalink)
    But you Still Need to Install the Patch....

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    Attoy
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/05 12:43:30 (permalink)
    bcavnaugh
    But you Still Need to Install the Patch....




    Yeah, Windows 10 received an update yesterday and today I upgraded my Linux kernel.
    #6
    jasonkresge
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/05 20:00:19 (permalink)
    There's going to be multiple layers to this.
     
    • OS patch - Microsoft released theirs a few days ago.
    • Microcode fix - Contrary to popular misunderstanding, this is also updated via Windows update and we'll be seeing this soon. We may not even know it's been installed.
    • Bios/firmware - Intel has to finalize it, then push it to their vendors (like EVGA). It's up to the vendors to then release the update, but they are dependent on Intel pushing it first.
    • Individual software - Many programs have their own unique fixes that will be applied. Nvidia has confirmed a GeForce driver update that will contain a fix (I don't understand this), and Google has said the late January release of Chrome will contain a related fix as well.
    Basically, be patient, be vigilant, and keep your software up to date, and you'll be fine.
    #7
    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/05 20:04:08 (permalink)
    ^^^ jasonkresge ^^^

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    #8
    jasonkresge
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/05 20:30:53 (permalink)
    And as a follow-up, here's some infor on Nvidia's update (not directly relevant to our mobo bios, but more of an adendum to my prior post)
     
    https://www.pcper.com/new...pectre-vulnerabilities
    #9
    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/07 07:40:32 (permalink)
    Maybe Time To Merge the Threads. Or Maybe Create It's Own Sub Forum Area.

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    #10
    HeavyHemi
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/07 15:33:54 (permalink)
    jasonkresge
    There's going to be multiple layers to this.
     
    • OS patch - Microsoft released theirs a few days ago.
    • Microcode fix - Contrary to popular misunderstanding, this is also updated via Windows update and we'll be seeing this soon. We may not even know it's been installed.
    • Bios/firmware - Intel has to finalize it, then push it to their vendors (like EVGA). It's up to the vendors to then release the update, but they are dependent on Intel pushing it first.
    • Individual software - Many programs have their own unique fixes that will be applied. Nvidia has confirmed a GeForce driver update that will contain a fix (I don't understand this), and Google has said the late January release of Chrome will contain a related fix as well.
    Basically, be patient, be vigilant, and keep your software up to date, and you'll be fine.


    Regarding the microcode fix, while it may be published via Windows update,  the processor microcode update will certainly come from intel.

    EVGA X99 FTWK / i7 6850K @ 4.5ghz / RTX 3080Ti FTW Ultra / 32GB Corsair LPX 3600mhz / Samsung 850Pro 256GB / Be Quiet BN516 Straight Power 12-1000w 80 Plus Platinum / Window 10 Pro
     
    #11
    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/08 15:17:18 (permalink)
    This Works for All OS
    Testing this Now https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcenter/Speculation-Control-e36f0050/view/Discussions#content
     
    A EXE Run File *It Works
    Org Zip And a zipped version of the same script (usually easier to download)
    https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvUMCaElfVkvmnIkcJbDb8_kbBnO
     
    Updated EXE
    And a zipped version of the same script (usually easier to download)
    https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvUMCaElfVkvmnIkcJbDb8_kbBnO
     
    Code for my EVGA X99 *All we need now is the Bios for at lest the X99 Classified MB
    D:\SpeculationControlEXE>SpeculationControl
    [Compiled using PS2EXE on 06/01/2018 from version 1.3 of script, and including fix for multiple CPUs]
    [See: https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcenter/Speculation-Control-e36f0050/]
    Speculation control settings for CVE-2017-5715 [branch target injection]
    Hardware support for branch target injection mitigation is present: False
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is present: True
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is enabled: False
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is disabled by system policy: False
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is disabled by absence of hardware support: True
    Speculation control settings for CVE-2017-5754 [rogue data cache load]
    Hardware requires kernel VA shadowing: True
    Windows OS support for kernel VA shadow is present: True
    Windows OS support for kernel VA shadow is enabled: True
    Windows OS support for PCID performance optimization is enabled: True [not required for security]
    Suggested actions
     * Install BIOS/firmware update provided by your device OEM that enables hardware support for the branch target injection mitigation.
    BTIHardwarePresent : False
    BTIWindowsSupportPresent : True
    BTIWindowsSupportEnabled : False
    BTIDisabledBySystemPolicy : False
    BTIDisabledByNoHardwareSupport : True
    KVAShadowRequired : True
    KVAShadowWindowsSupportPresent : True
    KVAShadowWindowsSupportEnabled : True
    KVAShadowPcidEnabled : True
    [Script completed. Close window when ready...]


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    #12
    mankxp
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/08 23:41:37 (permalink)
    I've read all of the articles mentioned here and also others, but the more I read, the more confused I get about what this/these exploits allow. I see where someone would have to have actual physical machine access in order for AMD systems to be affected by some of these issues, but how exactly is the home user(Intel systems) going to be affected by these? Does an executable need to be ran on the affected Intel machines? Or is this bug so huge that someone can come in through the internet and quietly insert code into your system? In other words, how is/can the payload be delivered in the first place?

    Current System:ASRock Z370 Pro4/Intel I7-8700K Processor @ 5.0ghz De-Lidded with CooLaboratory Liquid Ultra/AData DDR-4 2400mhz 2x8 16-gig RAM/SAMSUNG 960 PRO M.2 512GB NVMe/Cougar Panzer-S Mid-Tower Case/EVGA SuperNOVA 750 P2, 80+ PLATINUM/Cooler Master 240 RGB CL CPU Cooler/EVGA GeForce GTX-1080 8-Gig

    #13
    Attoy
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/08 23:50:31 (permalink)
    bcavnaugh
    This Works for All OS
    Testing this Now

    A EXE Run File *It Works
    Org Zip And a zipped version of the same script (usually easier to download)


    Updated EXE
    And a zipped version of the same script (usually easier to download)


    Code for my EVGA X99 *All we need now is the Bios for at lest the X99 Classified MB
    D:\SpeculationControlEXE>SpeculationControl
    [Compiled using PS2EXE on 06/01/2018 from version 1.3 of script, and including fix for multiple CPUs]
    [See: https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcenter/Speculation-Control-e36f0050/]
    Speculation control settings for CVE-2017-5715 [branch target injection]
    Hardware support for branch target injection mitigation is present: False
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is present: True
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is enabled: False
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is disabled by system policy: False
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is disabled by absence of hardware support: True
    Speculation control settings for CVE-2017-5754 [rogue data cache load]
    Hardware requires kernel VA shadowing: True
    Windows OS support for kernel VA shadow is present: True
    Windows OS support for kernel VA shadow is enabled: True
    Windows OS support for PCID performance optimization is enabled: True [not required for security]
    Suggested actions
     * Install BIOS/firmware update provided by your device OEM that enables hardware support for the branch target injection mitigation.
    BTIHardwarePresent : False
    BTIWindowsSupportPresent : True
    BTIWindowsSupportEnabled : False
    BTIDisabledBySystemPolicy : False
    BTIDisabledByNoHardwareSupport : True
    KVAShadowRequired : True
    KVAShadowWindowsSupportPresent : True
    KVAShadowWindowsSupportEnabled : True
    KVAShadowPcidEnabled : True
    [Script completed. Close window when ready...]





    I've got the very same results, we have to wait EVGA to release an updated BIOS. Is there an official statement from EVGA?
    #14
    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/09 13:45:56 (permalink)
    We All Need To Wait For Now.
    For one I would rather wait a few weeks to have a stable Bios than one fixed on for this reason to only fined we cannot any longer Overclock.
    Or something like that.

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    #15
    Attoy
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/09 23:56:37 (permalink)
    It looks like Intel released the updated microcode: https://downloadcenter.in...or-Microcode-Data-File
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    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/10 11:02:03 (permalink)
    Attoy
    It looks like Intel released the updated microcode: https://downloadcenter.in...or-Microcode-Data-File


    They have but I will still need a Bios update from ASUS and Super Micro and EVGA as well.

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    #17
    EVGA_Lee
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/12 15:06:03 (permalink)
    https://forums.evga.com/Z270-BIOS-Update-with-Spectre-updates-m2750722.aspx
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    Attoy
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/12 15:09:47 (permalink)
    EVGATech_LeeM
    https://forums.evga.com/Z270-BIOS-Update-with-Spectre-updates-m2750722.aspx


    Thank you!
    #19
    Attoy
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/12 15:26:35 (permalink)
    Just updated, here the results:
     

    Speculation control settings for CVE-2017-5715 [branch target injection]

    Hardware support for branch target injection mitigation is present: True
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is present: True
    Windows OS support for branch target injection mitigation is enabled: True

    Speculation control settings for CVE-2017-5754 [rogue data cache load]

    Hardware requires kernel VA shadowing: True
    Windows OS support for kernel VA shadow is present: True
    Windows OS support for kernel VA shadow is enabled: True
    Windows OS support for PCID performance optimization is enabled: True [not required for security]


    BTIHardwarePresent             : True
    BTIWindowsSupportPresent       : True
    BTIWindowsSupportEnabled       : True
    BTIDisabledBySystemPolicy      : False
    BTIDisabledByNoHardwareSupport : False
    KVAShadowRequired              : True
    KVAShadowWindowsSupportPresent : True
    KVAShadowWindowsSupportEnabled : True
    KVAShadowPcidEnabled           : True


     
    #20
    tech73x
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/13 09:37:50 (permalink)
    I am about to update my bios on my Z270 Classy board. Attoy, might I ask if everything seems to be running fine after the bios update? Thanks
    #21
    Attoy
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/13 09:47:52 (permalink)
    tech73x
    I am about to update my bios on my Z270 Classy board. Attoy, might I ask if everything seems to be running fine after the bios update? Thanks


    I didn't stress out the system yet bit it looks like everything is running fine. Also no visible performance loss running The Division and Heroes of the Storm.
    #22
    tech73x
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/13 09:54:17 (permalink)
    Sounds good, thanks :)
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    tech73x
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/13 10:38:58 (permalink)
    Bios up and running and honestly I have not seen a real big drop off in some benchmarks. Thanks to EVGA to getting this to us as quick as they did.
    #24
    bcavnaugh
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/13 10:58:04 (permalink)
    I think for the most part users will only see a difference if they run Tests Before and After the change has happened.
    To the Eyes I really do not see that this well hurt Intel or AMD in the Long run, but you never Know.

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    #25
    aa777888
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/24 03:49:28 (permalink)
    All good here after the update. It did completely wipe all BIOS settings, though, so make sure you've got screenshots or something.
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    tech73x
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    Re: Meltdown/Spectre 2018/01/24 06:30:04 (permalink)
    2 weeks in on the new bios and no problems. Yeah, I had to go and reset all the bios settings again :). Brought back a little nostalgia from last year when I built it :).
    #27
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