Ubuntu
intel-microcode package

Concerned about intel-microcode update when running with an AMD processor

Asked by Colin Canham

Two days ago I ran a Software update and noticed this intel-microcode and wondered why my Ubuntu22.04.1LTS running with an AMD processor would need such an update. I've read https://askubuntu.com/questions/1147478/why-does-aptitude-give-me-intel-microcode-upgrades-when-i-have-an-amd-processor and the answer given by NGRhodes about "dependency of the kernel" does not make any sense to me. Not that I fully understand why the kernel would need to run intel-microcode on Ubuntu with a AMD processor.

Changes for intel-microcode versions:
Installed version: 3.20220510.0ubuntu0.22.04.1
Available version: 3.20220809.0ubuntu0.22.04.1

Apparently there is already an installed version 3.20220510.0ubuntu0.22.04.1 which I missed.. and not to keen on having on my system.

Please advise on information that may explain why such code is running on a system with AMD processor.
Thanks.

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Manfred Hampl
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Best Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said (last edit ): 		#1

The wording of the askubuntu answer is not perfect and can easily be misunderstood.

The facts are as follows:
The package management system does not know the details of your processor. All it knows is that you are running a system with an Intel/AMD-64bit architecture. (In Debian and Ubuntu that architecture is named "amd64".)
The kernel packages have a dependency, such that the intel-microcode package is downloaded (and upgraded) by all amd64 systems.

Downloading and installing a package (=copying files into the respective target directories) does not mean anything, as long as the executable files are not executed.

When you now boot your system, the kernel checks the details of your CPUs and activates the correct firmware if required. In that moment it does not make any difference if there are firmware files available for CPUs that you don't have in your system. Those are not used at all.

In case that you unplug your hard disk and plug it into a system with an Intel CPU, then it is important to have the intel-firmware package available, because then it is needed. This is the reason that the package is made available for all systems with amd64 architecture, to allow this flexibility of swapping hard disks and CPUs without the need (and without possibility) that the package management system identifies the exact CPU type.

Further remark: I am sure that you have dozens of packages on your system that you do not need and do not use. I do not see any harm caused by that. Intel-microcode is just another one.

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Colin Canham (mahnac72) said : 		#2

Thanks Manfred Hampl, that solved my question.

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Colin Canham (mahnac72) said : 		#3

Your explanation of a hard disk being transferred between AMD / Intel now makes sense of as to why the micro-code for Intel would then be needed. I presume the reverse is true, for an Intel / AMD and the micro-code for AMD then being needed.

Prior to receiving your answer I had the Software Updater making available the Ubuntu Base file upgrade for the version: 3.20220809.0ubuntu0.22.04.1 and having deselected this option I was not able to get the Computers Software to be "up to date". So I used the Package manager to select the older Installed version: 3.20220510.0ubuntu0.22.04.1 of Intel micro-code and marked for complete removal. This then allowed the Software updater to finish with the up to date message and I was then appeased.

Then I received your explanation... I understand that with the removal of the Intel micro-code versions I'd not be able to transfer the hard disk to an Intel processor machine, I have no issue with that and presume I could leave as is.

I do see plenty Intel related packages available in the Package manager, but there status is "not installed". Only three Intel related are installed with dependencies.

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Manfred Hampl (m-hampl) said (last edit ): 		#4

Just an additional comment:

Similar to the intel firmware although you do not have an intel CPU, you for sure have also other packages for hardware that is not present. Examples: display drivers, drivers for mouse and sound devices, memory card and smart card readers, cameras, printers etc.
They are there just in case that you attach such hardware to your system and will not do anything (except occupying space and causing network traffic in case of updates) when you do not have such hardware.