BIOS Version 5002 with ComboV2 PI 1.2.0.E. for Crosshair Hero VIII (Wi-Fi) X570

[criznittle]

Please share any experience with version 5002. Is it stable? Any performance loss or gains?

As of right now, I only see that it implements security updates and the latest AGESA, I have no idea to what extent for the security update, but I'm pleasantly surprised to see a new BIOS update when the board is almost 6 years old now.

Thanks ASUS, i think.

Version 5002

20.87 MB 2025/02/21

1.Updated AGESA version to ComboV2 PI 1.2.0.E.
2.Implemented security updates.

edit: 3/13/2025
Other than my BIOS settings being reset and LED firmware updating, 5002 has been stable, and I appear to have gained almost 1% in Cinebench R20. Others have claimed no performance gains, and some have had minor issues.

ComboV2 PI 1.2.0.E includes updates to fix two known CVE(Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) - CVE-2024-0179 and CVE-2024-21925. I'd recommend updating for this reason alone.

CVE-2024-0179 is a vulnerability in the AmdCpmDisplayFeatureSMM driver related to System Management Mode (SMM). It allows locally authenticated attackers to overwrite SMRAM (System Management RAM), potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.2 (High), indicating significant risk

CVE-2024-21925 is a vulnerability in the AmdPspP2CmboxV2 driver. It involves improper input validation, which could allow a privileged attacker to overwrite SMRAM (System Management RAM). This could lead to arbitrary code execution, posing a significant security risk. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.2 (High), indicating its severity

[criznittle]

From chiphell forum: (translated from Chinese)

"the am4 update is to apply security patches to the 4000/5000 series"

"Mainly for the update of Cezanne, other Us are not affected"

"The 5000 series microcode is still 56.76 and the same as 12.0.A. There is no need to chase the latest. If you want performance, the 12.0.0.A version driver will be fine."

"I guess it fixed: CVE-2024-0179 CVE-2024-21925"

https://www.amd[dot]com/en/resources/product-security/bulletin/amd-sb-7027.html

[jeordiewhite]

Thanks, I was wanting to know what this update was about. I wanted to see if this reduces performance over security that won't matter to most home users. I don't think anyone has done any performance testing yet. 

[criznittle]

I decided to bite the bullet, and gave 5002 a shot. The only thing different from a usual BIOS update is that it updated my LED firmware. It's never done that for any previous BIOS update, not for me anyway.

Before suspending BitLocker to perform the update, I ran Cinebench R20 on a 3950x with hyperthreading/SMT off and scored 7321, then after the update I ran it again and scored 7404. I don't know if the update did this, or if it was a fluke, but I gained 83 points in R20, which is a bit higher than margin of error. I ran the benchmark again the next day and scored 7374, and ran it again a few days later with a 7357.

note: I had to change all my BIOS settings back after the update, it's possible something changed here that caused the performance gain, but afaik the settings I changed are the same.

If you have different results, please share!

[SomethingElse]

There is new BIOS v5002 for Crosshair VIII Dark Hero which is very similar to OP's motherboard. Here are screenshots of the Main BIOS screen before flash (v4902) and after flash (v5002):
49025002
One can notice changed AGESA and LED EC versions.
After flashing I haven't noticed nothing negative so far (granted, not a lot of time have passed ‌🙃‌)

[TumKo]

That's cool they support 2019 motherboards unlike intel, I'm waiting for an update for my x570e gaming

[BabyWakanda]

The focus of the 5002 upgrade is primarily on security updates, with the newest AGESA ComboV2 PI 1.2.0.E implementation, and nothing has been conclusively confirmed with regard to performance gain or loss at this date. It is rather commendable that ASUS keeps supporting a six-year-old board. If stability is a concern, it may be wise to wait until as many comments as possible come out from users before performing the actual update. Has anyone tested it yet?

[TumKo]

Honestly, I always use the latest version of the bios and never had any problems. Neither when overclocking nor in stock mode.

[AfterShock]

Flashed the latest on my crosshair viii hero, cpu is a ryzen 5900x, no significant changes in cinebench outside of your normal run to run variance. As mentioned above I also had to redo all my settings as my profiles that were saved to usb prior to flashing wouldn't load, this has happened only once before back in 2021

[tweezlednutball]

Having a lot of issues with this new version.  Version 4902 was absolutely rock solid.  5002 I am having USB dropouts again and issues with PBO and XMP.  Also they brought back the issue where if you disable the integrated lan ports you also lose the 2nd x16 pcie slot.  5002 is a mess.  it almost seems like ASUS applied ComboV2 PI 1.2.0.E to an earlier version of the bios and not 4902.  (4902 is the only good bios for this board)  This is a complete regression and a total fail from ASUS.