Intel releases microcode-20261110 to address functional issues in Core and Xeon CPUs

Intel has released the microcode-20261110 update package, providing new CPU microcode binaries for a wide range of recent Intel processors. The update covers client-side architectures starting from 13th Generation Raptor Lake up to Panther Lake, as well as server-side Xeon processors ranging from Sapphire Rapids to Clearwater Forest.

This specific release focuses entirely on resolving functional bugs and errata rather than addressing new security vulnerabilities. While many users may not notice immediate changes, the update is critical for developers and system administrators relying on accurate performance monitoring and hardware reporting.

Technical breakdown of microcode fixes

• Panther Lake Performance Monitoring: Fixes several inaccuracies in performance monitoring events, including overcounting topdown events, undercounting walk pending events, incorrect load head sub-event counting, and undercounting memory bound stall events.
• Granite Rapids Reporting: Resolves a DICE AliasID Certificate DiceTcbInfo issue and corrects incorrect CPU core count reporting via the Processor Information ROM (PIROM) for specific SKUs, which impacts BMC firmware and management tools.
• Server Architecture Support: Provides the first microcode updates for the Clearwater Forest architecture, alongside updates for Sapphire Rapids, Emerald Rapids, Granite Rapids, and Sierra Forest.
• Client and Legacy Errata: Includes updates for Raptor Lake and Wildcat Lake to address existing hardware errata.

Why it matters

System administrators and data center operators using Granite Rapids or Sierra Forest will see improved accuracy in hardware management and core count reporting via BMC tools. Developers utilizing Intel performance monitoring counters on Panther Lake will benefit from more reliable telemetry for profiling and optimization.