Intel Core i7-13700K Overheating on ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI with Intel Default Settings

[aikmeister]

Hello everyone. I have an ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI motherboard paired with an Intel Core i7-13700K processor (with 360mm AIO - NZXT Kraken X73). For a long time, I was using BIOS version 1402 (with one tweak - "Asus MultiCore Enhancement" set to "Disabled - Enforce All Limits") and didn't experience any issues. However, after reading about stability problems with Intel 13th/14th generation processors, I decided to update the BIOS to the latest version, which is BIOS 1661 at the moment. I believe all Z790 ASUS boards received this update but with different version numbers. This firmware includes a microcode update - "Updated with microcode 0x125 to ensure eTVB operates within Intel specifications."

The latest firmware introduced a new option called "Performance Preferences" with the choices "Intel Default Settings" and "ASUS Advanced OC Profile."

Before updating (BIOS 1402), I ran several tests in Cinebench R23 and scored 29k-30.5k in multicore mode, with temperatures around 90-92 degrees Celsius for the cores, which I found acceptable. With the new firmware in "Intel Default Settings" mode, the temperatures suddenly and almost instantly reach 100 degrees Celsius from the first seconds. The scores are slightly lower, around 29k, but that's not the main issue. The main issue is that a temperature of 100 degrees is unacceptable.

In "ASUS Advanced OC Profile" mode, with "Asus MultiCore Enhancement" set to "Disabled - Enforce All Limits," I observe similar behavior as with the old firmware: 90-92 degrees and the same 29k-30.5k scores.

Has anyone else experienced this behavior? Is there a way to stabilize the temperature in "Intel Default Settings" mode?

Is the "ASUS Advanced OC Profile" similar to the default settings in the older firmware? Is it safe to use this profile if the processor is stable, or is there a risk of silicon degradation? Should I revert to the old firmware if "ASUS Advanced OC Profile" isn't equivalent to the old settings? I believe that immediate throttling and extreme temperatures under high (but not the highest) load, like in Cinebench R23, would result in even worse outcomes.

For those interested, here are the changes in settings when switching "Performance Preferences" from "Intel Default Settings" to "ASUS Advanced OC Profile" to see the differences between them:

- Performance Preferences [Intel Default Settings] -> [ASUS Advanced OC Profile]
- Asus MultiCore Enhancement [Disabled - Enforce All Limits] -> [Auto - Let BIOS Optimize]
- SVID Behavior - [Intel's Fail Safe] -> [Auto]
- IA CEP [Enabled] -> [Auto]
- SA CEP [Enabled] -> [Auto]
- IA TDC Current Limit [Motherboard's Capability] -> [Auto]
- Enhanced TVB [Enabled] -> [Auto]
- Overclocking TVB [Enabled] -> [Auto]
- Realtime Memory Timing [Disabled] -> [Enabled]
- UnderVolt Protection [Enabled] -> [Disabled]
- BCLK Aware Adaptive Voltage [Disabled] -> [Auto]

I'm not sure if PL1 and PL2 are strictly limited in this mode. As far as I understand, they are either on Auto or fixed at "253 Watt." "CPU Core/Cache Current Limit Max" (ICCMAX?) is either Auto or "307 A." I couldn't find where to check "ICCMAX_App."

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Silent_Scone]

Any behaviour seen under the Intel profiles is due to following Intel's specs closely.

[inge70]

That's a good question.

For me, "SVID Behavior" was actually set to "AUTO" without me having to change it manually.

I checked it today.
So back to the previous UEFI 2301:
SVID Behavior= Auto

After another update to 2402 (current UEFI):
SVID Behavior= AUTO

The UEFI reset itself automatically after every update.

With my settings posted here and in other threads, the CPU stays nice and cool, despite the load from CinebenchR23 or 3DMark.

I don't know why it's different on other boards with regard to SVID Behavior.

BUT my settings were:
-CPU Load Line Calibration= "Recommendation for OC" (Current CPU Load Line Calibration - Level 4)
-IA TDC Current Limit: "Motherboard Capability"

Which brought the temperatures back up to 100 degrees in CinebenchR23.
I think Asus set these settings for the Intel defaults.
I then adjusted the following:
-CPU Load Line Calibration= "AUTO" (Current CPU Load Line Calibration - Level 3)
-IA TDC Current Limit: "Intel's Default"

Afterwards the temperatures were back in the green zone and at max. 77 degrees in CinebenchR23.
I don't actually need OC, so the Intel defaults are great for me.
But I've never had any instability so far, whether with OC or without.

[aikmeister]

Can someone with 13700k/14700k check (with HWiNFO) what your “IA Domain Loadline (AC/DC)” value is in [ASUS Advanced OC Profile] mode and with [Intel Default Settings]? On my old firmware, before "Performance Preferences" I had "0.400 / 1.100 mOhm".

[MurdocNicalls]

13700k on BIOS 3701 (with microcode 0x125) using "ASUS Advanced OC Profile" it's 0.400 / 1.100 mOhm.

[inge70]

I use "Performance Preferences: Intel Default Settings" with the latest UEFI update (Microcode 0x125) and in HwInfo it says:

IA Domain Loadline (AC/DC): 0.400 / 1.100 mOhm