Asus z790 Apex Suppling ridiculous amounts of current!

[VULC23]

I recently purchased an Apex Z790. I was just doing initial testing and running R23 at 1.3V and it pushed 270A into my system with an instant crash. I can only run light loads such as CPU-Z, and even then, it was just under the limit at 248A. I had a Strix Z790 D4 before the Apex, and at the same voltage of 1.3V, R23 would pull 320W at 230A! Is there something I'm missing, or is this an RMA situation?

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @VULC23 

Could you confirm your current BIOS version?
If you haven't updated to the latest version 2002 released on February 23, 2024, please consider updating and clearing CMOS before rechecking again.
If the high power consumption persists, could you please confirming the following information to help us better understand your hardware setup?
- screenshots of the r23 Cinebench results
- the images of BIOS main-page, all the manually adjuesting items in BIOS, or whether it is the default
- the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM (part number as well), SSD/HDD, and PSU currently installed
- are there any extensions or adapters used to connect any devices, such as GPU or SSD?
- the OS version and OS build

Thank you.

[VULC23]

Disregard all this, sorry man haven't had a chance to update my reply. I found out exactly what happened after getting an Encore to test. The issue is with the CPU, and here is what caused it.

On the APEX, I loaded my previous BIOS settings through the BIOS save CMO file from the previous BIOS version I had loaded. This caused all the entry fields in the BIOS to go blank. I tried to clear the bugged-out BIOS by selecting "load optimized defaults" but I selected "save and exit" instead. This caused the PC to continuously reboot and reset every 3 seconds. Once I realized this, I quickly selected the BIOS reset switch on the motherboard to clear it. After I set up my BIOS again, my CPU no longer runs all-core load above 1.31 volts as it used to. It takes much more volts and power to run my same settings at over 1.31 volts. When I run R23 now, the CPU draws 480A and above 370W to pass, if not R23 crashes. Cinebench R23 used to run at 1.31 320W and 232A. The BIOS settings all went blank, which must have caused the BIOS to feed my CPU too much voltage and power, damaging the CPU. Please escalate this. They need to validate CMO files for compatibility before they allow the user to load an incompatible CMO file. I have contacted Asus Australia for support, but they are just talking about an unstable BIOS.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @VULC23 

Could you please provide the relevant information described above for further verification?
Is the CMO file exported from a BIOS of the same model and hardware configuration but a different version? (Could you provide detailed clarification?)
We are also interested in understanding the method you used to verify CPU current and voltage, as well as how you confirmed CPU damage.
Additionally, I have PM you, could you kindly check your inbox in the upper right corner?

Thank you.

[VULC23]

Yes, the bios CMO was exported from the same motherboard from an earlier version bios, the factory loaded BIOS. I used HwInfo to view the power output and to see why I was continuously crashing above 1.31v. My settings were P58/E47/R52 and I could accomplish this easily at 1.31v. Now I have to run 57/47/52 to keep it at 1.26v, as anything above 1.31v crashes. I have responded to your PM. Thanks!

[VULC23]

- the images of BIOS main-page, all the manually adjusted items in BIOS, or whether it is the default

I swapped over to an Encore thinking it was the motherboard, but my CPU still has the same issues on this board too.

- the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM (part number as well), SSD/HDD, and PSU currently installed

CPU: Intel 13900KS

GPU:  RTX 4090 Gigabyte Gaming OC (GV-N4090GAMING OC-24GD)

RAM: Teamgroup DDR5 7200Mhz 2x16GB Hynix A Die (FF4D532G7200HC34ADC01)

SSD 1: Crucial P5 Plus 500GB PCIe 4.0 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 6600MB/s - CT500P5PSSD8 Black, SSD 2x2:  Samsung 990 PRO 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD - MZ-V9P2T0BW

PSU: Corsair AX1200i

- are there any extensions or adapters used to connect any devices, such as GPU or SSD?

No

- the OS version and OS build

Windows 11 Pro 23H2

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @VULC23 

Could you confirm whether you are currently using the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX ENCORE or the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX?
If the issue persists when cross-testing two boards, or if you have two identical PC builds that exhibit the same problem?
Due to the significant BIOS version gap, there may be differences in functionality and default parameters.
Generally, it is not recommended to import old CMO files after a BIOS update, and this is especially discouraged when crossing different models.
If possible, could you provide separate descriptions of the situations with both motherboards and hardware accessories and share the BIOS versions exported from the CMO files for both the problematic and current BIOS versions? 

Thank you.

[VULC23]

It's the same build, but I swapped out the OG z790 Apex to Encore. Like I said, I used the CMO from the same board BIOS. I did not cross anything over! As I explained, previously I went to load optimised defaults to clear it, but I selected save and restart instead.

[Silent_Scone]

Few things,

1) The R20/R23 power draw you’re seeing is typical for that CPU. The 14900KS can see 400w. When MCE is enabled the PL limits are lifted and the CPU will operate inside thermal parameters, the voltage request comes from the CPU.

2) Cross loading CMO files from older UEFI versions is not always viable or recommended.

3) Disable MCE to enforce stock power limits, or limit PL1 / PL2 manually to a desired value within the CPU Power Management menu.

[VULC23]

Any update?