Intel - System - 2406.5.5.0 Does anyone know if this Win11 driver has downfall mitigations embedded?

SDMF · May 23, 2024

Intel - System - 2406.5.5.0 is an Optional Windows update that came through. I did not install it cause I was afraid it contains mitigations that may slow my 11900K. After a few days it automatically installed anyway. Gogle seems to think its an MEI driver. Does anyone know if it contains mitigations?

If it does I might as well update my bios too since Im a few behind.

Also I now have another Optional Update that has'nt installed (yet) Intel - SoftwareComponent - 2408.5.4.0 Does anyone know what this one is?

I Really wish Microsoft would give us some detail on what these drivers are smh

PerpetualCycle · May 23, 2024

Hi,

The first is an Intel Management Engine driver update. The second and update to the WMI software component that is part of the Management Engine. These are the versions I have been running. You can see them here posted in tehse forum:

[DRIVERS] Intel Chipset/MEI/SATA (1xx/2xx/3xx/4xx/5xx)

Hi everyone, - Intel Chipset Drivers : Package : 10.1.19627.8423 WHQL [28/09/2023] Download : Link Install/Update Process : Launch "CHIPSET_Intel_vxx.x.xxxxx.xxxx.exe" - Intel MEI Drivers (Drivers Only) : Drivers : 2406.5.5.0 WHQL [08/02/2024] DAL SoftwareComponent Driver : 1.44.2023.710...

www.elevenforum.com

Downfall requires a processor microcode update, which neither of these are.

If you update your BIOS, it may include the downfall microcode fix. It does affect performance - I tried the microcode update on my 10900k

PerpetualCycle · May 24, 2024

SDMF · May 25, 2024

Thank you, however a little confused, this driver just came through a week or so ago but your link despite having the same version # says the driver is from 12/22/2022 and was signed/certified in the future lol 8/2/2024. Im guessing a driver from almost 2 years ago isnt still current. Perhaps Mokichu edited his 2 year old post or its a different driver w/ the same version number?

I tested it quick w/ a couple benchmarks since it automatically installed somehow and I do seem to have lost some performance (same OC as my older saved benchmark screenshots). That said I 100% believe you about the microcode update being the factor.

btw Asus released an updated official MEI driver but I didnt install it either since it was released at the same time as the new bios that contains the microcode update.

Did you regret updating your microcode? I ALWAYS keep my Bios' updated for obvious reasons but dont think it would be a good idea. Its almost like Intel is pushing their chips to the max from factory then finding an excuse to dial the performance back once they have banked on sales and chips are a couple generations old

PerpetualCycle · May 25, 2024

SDMF said:
Thank you, however a little confused, this driver just came through a week or so ago but your link despite having the same version # says the driver is from 12/22/2022 and was signed/certified in the future lol 8/2/2024. Im guessing a driver from almost 2 years ago isnt still current. Perhaps Mokichu edited his 2 year old post or its a different driver w/ the same version number?

I tested it quick w/ a couple benchmarks since it automatically installed somehow and I do seem to have lost some performance (same OC as my older saved benchmark screenshots). That said I 100% believe you about the microcode update being the factor.

btw Asus released an updated official MEI driver but I didnt install it either since it was released at the same time as the new bios that contains the microcode update.

Did you regret updating your microcode? I ALWAYS keep my Bios' updated for obvious reasons but dont think it would be a good idea. Its almost like Intel is pushing their chips to the max from factory then finding an excuse to dial the performance back once they have banked on sales and chips are a couple generations old

Mokichu updated the WMI software component. The me driver part has a late 2023 date, not 2022. His are the most current.

I upgraded to the downfall microcode just to see how it affected performance. I went back to the previous version after that ( and kept up-to-date on BIOS by modding newer BIOS versions to have the older microcode).

Cheers