Wow. I have to admit, that number larger than I would have guessed. (I probably would have said 20.) But ultimately not too surprising.
When I want freedom to do what I want with my computer, I run Linux, but for my Apple devices I want auto updates.
This whole episode of CPU bugs and fixes that cause performance problems (most notably on older hardware) is exactly what the tech industry needed to stimulate consumers into refreshing their old hardware that was previously running fine.
It's almost like planned obsolescence. Msybe it was orchestrated.
(I don't think this actually likely, but it's interesting that it could be rather beneficial in the end for some)
Since 1995? 23 years seems a long time to wait
Also new processors won't actually get better performance as a result of fixes. The problems arose in the first place because of a preference of performance over security.
Then, I guess, I am glad I upgraded to 8700k and won't return it. I was upgrading from a 4770, but it seems that one is going to be even slower now.
https://reverse.put.as/2018/01/07/measuring-osx-meltdown-pat...
With Windows 8 and Windows 7 on older silicon (2015-era PCs with Haswell or older CPU), we expect most users to notice a decrease in system performance.
That’s random end users. Not workstations and not servers. Wow.
edit: Oh, though it seems there's another thread discussing how the mitigations have slowed down "Haswell and older CPUs significantly".
edit edit: like an idiot, i didn't include the link: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16113289
Or just do them yourself, like others did:
https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/7ohbfi/i5_2500k_m... http://www.guru3d.com/articles-summary/windows-vulnerability...