Datasheet

Errata
Specification Update 43
AR59. Returning to Real Mode from SMM with EFLAGS.VM Set May Result in
Unpredictable System Behavior
Problem: Returning back from SMM mode into real mode while EFLAGS.VM is set in SMRAM may
result in unpredictable system behavior.
Implication: If SMM software changes the values of the EFLAGS.VM in SMRAM, it may result in
unpredictable system behavior. Intel has not observed this behavior in commercially
available software.
Workaround: SMM software should not change the value of EFLAGS.VM in SMRAM.
Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.
AR60. IRET under Certain Conditions May Cause an Unexpected Alignment
Check Exception
Problem: In IA-32e mode, it is possible to get an Alignment Check Exception (#AC) on the IRET
instruction even though alignment checks were disabled at the start of the IRET. This
can only occur if the IRET instruction is returning from CPL3 code to CPL3 code. IRETs
from CPL0/1/2 are not affected. This erratum can occur if the EFLAGS value on the
stack has the AC flag set, and the interrupt handler's stack is misaligned. In IA-32e
mode, RSP is aligned to a 16-byte boundary before pushing the stack frame.
Implication: In IA-32e mode, under the conditions given above, an IRET can get a #AC even if
alignment checks are disabled at the start of the IRET. This erratum can only be
observed with a software generated stack frame.
Workaround: Software should not generate misaligned stack frames for use with IRET.
Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.
AR61. Performance Monitoring Event FP_ASSIST May Not Be Accurate
Problem: Performance monitoring event FP_ASSIST (11H) may be inaccurate as assist events
will be counted twice per actual assist in the following specific cases:
• FADD and FMUL instructions with a NaN(Not a Number) operand and a memory
operand
• FDIV instruction with zero operand value in memory
In addition, an assist event may be counted when DAZ (Denormals-Are-Zeros) and
FTZ (Flush-To-Zero) flags are turned on even though no actual assist occurs.
Implication: The counter value for the performance monitoring event FP_ASSIST (11H) may be
larger than expected. The size of the error is dependent on the number of occurrences
of the above conditions while the event is active.
Workaround: None identified.
Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.