Should I update Intel MEI Firmware or not?

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Level 1

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Should I update Intel MEI Firmware or not?

You know, there is this little chip on every last-gen laptop's motherboard (apple macbooks either) called Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI), and it has its own firmware that is upgradable. I'm currently running Windows 8.1 via Bootcamp on my MacBook Pro 13 (Late 2013 Retina, Haswell based), and it has the Intel MEI Firmware verion 9.5.3.1526, you can check it yourself using Intel MEInfo Tool (detailed info here):

The question is, can I update this firmware with the newer one that is available (version 9.5.41.1904) here? Is it safe or not? Anyone tried?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, Windows 8

Posted on Dec 18, 2014 6:22 AM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 18, 2014 6:38 AM in response to Zhyrnov

What are the benefits of the newer version?

If you look at https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&keyword=intel+manage ment+engine most of these are specifically for Intel boards, not for Apple boards.

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Answer 2

Zhyrnov Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 18, 2014 6:51 AM in response to Loner T

The benefits are the same as with BIOS\EFI update like bugfixes, improvements, etc. Probably, this new firmware resolves the known 30% CPU Idle issue, I don't know, but I want to try.

Apple boards are nothing but the same Intel boards with Intel chips and logics using some kind of custom design, so I think it is not so much Apple-related thing.

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 18, 2014 8:45 AM in response to Zhyrnov

Zhyrnov wrote:

The benefits are the same as with BIOS\EFI update like bugfixes, improvements, etc. Probably, this new firmware resolves the known 30% CPU Idle issue, I don't know, but I want to try.

You may want to create a system restore point before you update, so you can roll back easily.

Zhyrnov wrote:

Apple boards are nothing but the same Intel boards with Intel chips and logics using some kind of custom design, so I think it is not so much Apple-related thing.

Apple has written a lot of their own firmware, the latest example is the iMac 5K with ATI cards, which have issues with WHQL drivers. GPU drivers are also similar. Another example is the absence of WiDi on Intel hardware, since Apple has their own AirPlay. It is worth a test, if you keep careful backups of Windows and the OSX to be prepared for disaster.

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Answer 4

Zhyrnov Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 18, 2014 8:59 AM in response to Loner T

I've got your point. I acknowledge it is pretty risky procedure, that's why I try to get some feedback before I try. I don't care about Windows or OS X backups, I can reinstall both in any case. The real thing I'm afraid of is - I will successfully flash new firmware and after I reboot to Yosemite I discover that something is working unpropperly like the fan control or bluetooth or power nap feature while sleep\resume or anything else.. And the most awful part is that flash is non revertible, meaning I can't downgrade it and reflash the old stock MEI firmware - that's what I am afraid most of all.

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