With Intel’s latest processor “Alder Lake”, some games are currently crashing. The culprit is the software Denuvo, which is reportedly not compatible with the new processor. MeinMMO explains what it’s all about.
Here’s what it’s about: Since November 4, 2021, you can purchase Intel’s latest processor series, Alder Lake, in stores. By now, the first tests are also online. Our colleagues from GameStar have been able to extensively test the Core i9 12900K.
With the Core i9 12900K, Intel delivers one of the currently fastest processors for desktop PCs and can strongly position itself against AMD’s dominance in the processor market. At release, the new processor costs 699 euros.
However, with each release, there are often bugs and problems, and Intel’s Alder Lake is no exception. By now, Intel itself has also confirmed that many games crash with the new CPU. The reason for this is indeed a peculiarity of Alder Lake.
New architecture of Alder Lake causes issues with games
What is special about Alder Lake? Intel is using a new architecture in its new Alder Lake processors. The processors consist of two types of computing cores:
- Efficiency cores are used when you are on the desktop or using less demanding applications.
- The performance cores are activated once you start games that require significant performance.
But these different cores are precisely what causes crashes in some games. The issue is a copy protection or anti-tamper software that does not work well with Alder Lake.
This is behind the crashes: Denuvo’s DRM software mistakenly assumes that the different cores are different computers. As soon as Denuvo detects that the game uses different cores, the game is forcibly shut down because Denuvo believes that two computers are using the same license key. This has been reported by testers from PCMag (via PCMag.com).
A trick and future update should improve things
Here’s what you can do about the crashes: There are already tricks available that can help you work around the issues if you already own an Alder Lake CPU.
- On one hand, you can enable the “Legacy Game Mode” in the BIOS. This disables the efficiency cores. This prevents different cores from being active in the game. However, this is not a permanent solution, as you will have to sacrifice performance. On some motherboards, the “Legacy Game Mode” will only be available with a new BIOS update.
- For some users, upgrading the operating system from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has been helpful. Some games currently do not work under Windows 10 with Alder Lake.
- Intel has already stated that it plans to address some issues with the upcoming Windows update in mid-November. If you don’t want to deal with such tricks, just wait for the next Windows update.
In addition to new processors, Intel has already introduced its new high-end graphics cards under the brand name “Arc”: The company aims to release its new graphics cards in Spring 2022 and has presented an extensive release plan for the coming years.
These games currently do not work with Intel’s latest processor
Intel has now published an official list of games that do not currently work (as of November 6, 2021) (via intel.com). We present the list here. Should anything change, we will update the list for you.
For better clarity, we have hidden the lists with the games in two spoilers.
Incompatible games under Windows 11
- Anthem
- Bravely Default 2
- Fishing Sim World
- Football Manager 2019
- Football Manager Touch 2019
- Football Manager 2020
- Football Manager Touch 2020
- Legend of Mana
- Mortal Kombat 11
- Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 and 2
- Warhammer I
- Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
- Far Cry Primal
- Fernbus Simulator
- For Honor
- Lost in Random
- Madden 22
- Maneater
- Need for Speed – Hot Pursuit Remastered
- Sea of Solitude
- Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order
- Tourist Bus Simulator
- Maneater
The following games are reported not to work with Windows 10. However, an upgrade to Windows 11 is expected to resolve these issues.
Incompatible games under Windows 10
- Ace Combat 7
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Code Vein
- eFootball 2021
- F1 2019
- Far Cry New Dawn
- FIFA 19
- FIFA 20
- Football Manager 2021
- Football Manager Touch 2021
- Ghost Recon Breakpoint
- Ghost Recon Wildlands
- Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Just Cause 4
- Life is Strange 2
- Madden 21
- Monopoly Plus
- Need For Speed Heat
- Scott Pilgrim vs The World
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Shinobi Striker
- Soulcalibur VI
- Starlink
- Team Sonic Racing
- Total War Saga – Three Kingdoms
- Train Sim World
- Train Sim World 2
- Wolfenstein Youngblood
What do you think? Have you already purchased a new Intel processor or would you rather wait until all the “teething problems” have been resolved? Let us know in the comments what you think about it.
Will we finally get a good graphics card from Intel for less than 300 euros?
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