BIOS 3802 - Problems

[JohnAb]

I just tried the latest BIOS - 3802 (not the beta release) on Z690, 12900K  and behaviour was not normal. 

The PC got stuck after the BIOS update and left me with a blank screen. After a reset, it did get into Windows, but only after a much longer boot time than normal. Then I tried to set up the BIOS but couldn't get there. I got a blank screen again (tried 3 times, no display at all). Then I did a power off and could get into the BIOS, but the font was much smaller than normal and blurry. I set it up as I like it and guess what, another blank screen afterwards. Noticed that the QCODE was getting stuck at A9 which means "start of setup".

After yet another power off I managed to get back into the BIOS and installed BIOS 3701 again. After the BIOS install I had to reset myself, which from memory happened last time with 3701. I reset and powered off again and then everything returned to normal thank goodness. 

I've never had problems like this before, so in my experience, something is not right with 3802. 

[ls612]

Does anyone know if the 12th gen chips get anything from the new microcode? I have the same setup as JohnAb with a 12900k on a Z690 board and have been happily on 3603 so if there are any problems I'm happy staying on 3603 if the 12th gen are immune from the degredation problems.

[JohnAb]

I had some occasional code 53 errors with 3603 and 3501 (first BIOS issues I had ever experienced), but 3701 has been great, so that version might be worth considering. Just note that you might need to reset manually after the BIOS update, but once complete, all good. 

[The-Pack]

Well, I haven't been happy at all with any BIOS version since 2802. I have a Z690 Formula, now with the 14900KF in it, but no matter what CPU, the best BIOS for me is the 2802. Everything works smoothly, RAM OC, CPU OC with undervolting, M.2, in games in Windows, just everything. And I've tried every BIOS once. And the 3802 in particular is the one that causes the most problems. Not even in Windows, just in normal office work or surfing the web, nothing runs smoothly anymore. Everything stutters slightly and freezes. I've never had a black screen, but all sorts of other weird things.

[JohnAb]

Sorry to hear that, BIOS 2802 is over 12 months old now, so I'm surprised that you haven't found a better version since. Do you think that poor RAM stability could be the main issue? BIOS versions certainly influence RAM stability. It might be interesting to run extended stability tests with 2802 and just make sure that your RAM is working well. You've probably done this already, but might be worthwhile if not.   

[The-Pack]

I have done extensive tests with Karhu, TM5, VST, VST3 and so on. With the other BIOS versions I couldn't get the RAMs anywhere near stable. I tried everything, replugged them, cleaned them with isopropyl alcohol, adjusted the timing, tested all the voltages, until my ears were shaking. They didn't even run stably with the normal XMP. CPU with frame, with original bracket and also with washer, tried everything. My RAMs are on the QVL list.

Except for 2802. That runs XMP 1, 2 and Tweaked, and also just as they are set now, with 6800MHZ and CL32.

3701 was absolutely terrible, 3802 even worse. With 3802 I couldn't even activate XMP, it was 55 straight away and no boot. CPU settings end in BSOD, no matter what I set, and I have had no problems at all with the CPU so far, and with 2802, everything smooth.

P- Sync All Core 59

E- Sync All Core 47

Intel Fail Safe

LLC5; AC 0.33, DC 0.78.

Global SVID Core Voltage Adaptive 1.42V + Auto

TVB +2 Boost

Temp Offset +15 degrees (results in game 6.1Ghz)

V/F Courve point 10 offset + 0.09v

Max. VID CAP 1520mv

Under CB23, CB24, VST max. VID 1.48v, max Vcore 1.47 light load

Load 1.295 - 1.305v, max 82 degrees

[Adrian1983]

And this is exactly what I have found, I have now tried multiple bios updates since 2802 including this new one 3802 and again I don't know what is going on but something isn't right with these newer bios's, I am getting random temp spikes on cores high in the 80's on random cores with 3802 even with Intel baseling profile and Auto SVID and Typical SVID, I have a decent 14900KF slightly above average also.

I am not getting these temp spikes with 2802 and my current config, I give up and am no longer going to waste my time updating this motherboard with any newer bios that arrives, Luckily everything is fine right now and 2802 was the first bios to support 14th gen so I am not hung up too much on all the current fixes since I give up.

[ericmarts]

Yeah I'm stuck. Tried again. Pulled out SSD, graphics card, only CPU, RAM and keyboard with HDMI.

Same result. It gets to BIOS screen and freezes. 

This sucks, hoping that microcode update would fix stability 

[JohnAb]

In a sense, it's good to know that you have exactly the same problem. It proves that it's not our machines and is definitely the BIOS. I find it hard to believe that a fault like this has not been picked up before release, even if 12th Gen is no longer cutting edge. Sloppy. Are we to think that an Asus motherboard has a lifespan of 2 years before the latest BIOS no longer functions correctly. Here's hoping that subsequent releases will be functional again. I wouldn't mind if the release notes said "not for 12th Gen".   

[ericmarts]

I have a  14900k. Does not seem to be a processor specific issue if it you are having same issue

[JohnAb]

Ah, thought you  were on 12th Gen, if it's has happened with your 14th Gen as well then very odd. I have seen some 14th Gen owners that have got it working I think, so it gets stranger and stranger. Yep, seems like a buggy BIOS with some combinations.