Intel headquarters
The PC hardware world is exploding this week over news that the last 10 years of Intel CPUs all contain a massive security flaw, forcing a redesign of the kernel software in Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. This issue is more serious than most security flaws, because it is connected with how the hardware talks with the OS, which means that patching it may impact performance.
Reports have been stating that Intel CPUs may suffer a 5-30% drop in performance after the major OS manufacturers issue their patches. A drop of 5-30% certainly sounds both large and scary. But is it really going to be that bad in real-world situations, or is this alarmist sensationalism? Let’s find out.