Bios 1403 vs 1304

[Hopper64]

Just making some preliminary observations on the difference in these two bios versions. 1304 is much more stable with memory as best I can tell so far. I have a GSkill 5600 kit which runs great on XMP 2 on 1304, but I’m getting a lot of instability with the same settings on 1403. I know settings vary from bios versions similar to CPU samples, but even with tweaking my settings, I am having problems getting the same kit stable with 1403.

The other big issue I have noticed is the lack of CPU boost frequency under load. With 1304, my 12900k boosts to 5.5 on 3-4 cores in cinebench single core testing no problem. I am not seeing the same thing with 1403. CPU frequency with this bios in single core cinebench shows 5.3 on some cores. Occasionally hits 5.4, but never 5.5 like in 1304. Overall cinebench score is down to about 26,200 in the multi core test with 1403 compared to 28000+ with the prior version.

I’m still testing to confirm what I’m seeing so far. Trying to juggle work schedule and testing memory stability when possible. Anyone else noticed similar results?*

[Chainbold]

wing_man wrote:
my cinebench score went down when I installed 1403 and didn't go back up when I reinstalled 1304. Could it be the micro code that was in the 1403?

I heard about the microcode change. Anybody knows what exactly was changed?

[wing_man]

Hopper64 wrote:
Just making some preliminary observations on the difference in these two bios versions. 1304 is much more stable with memory as best I can tell so far. I have a GSkill 5600 kit which runs great on XMP 2 on 1304, but I’m getting a lot of instability with the same settings on 1403. I know settings vary from bios versions similar to CPU samples, but even with tweaking my settings, I am having problems getting the same kit stable with 1403.

The other big issue I have noticed is the lack of CPU boost frequency under load. With 1304, my 12900k boosts to 5.5 on 3-4 cores in cinebench single core testing no problem. I am not seeing the same thing with 1403. CPU frequency with this bios in single core cinebench shows 5.3 on some cores. Occasionally hits 5.4, but never 5.5 like in 1304. Overall cinebench score is down to about 26,200 in the multi core test with 1403 compared to 28000+ with the prior version.

I’m still testing to confirm what I’m seeing so far. Trying to juggle work schedule and testing memory stability when possible. Anyone else noticed similar results?*

My cinebench went down when I installed 1403 and didn't go back up when I went back to 1304. Could it be the micro code in 1403?

[Hopper64]

I have wondered the same thing. That’s probably right. I have seen the same thing.

[DocratesCR]

Tested 1403 and performance went down. My 12900k was working 54~52 (P cores) and 42~40 (E cores), but with the new bios it went down to 51~49 and 40~38

Moved back to 1304

[hdtvnut]

Right now on 1003. I am about to swap a KS into my Hero. Better to go with 1304 for that?

[Hopper64]

I’m using 1403 for the KS. There’s a note in the description about the KS for 1403. Don’t know how valid it is though.

[Sundownerphd]

Yeah I upgraded my BIOS from 0237 to 1403.

Could load BIOS no worries, but encountered issues even booting into Windows or even an installation media USB. Straight up PC reboot when that occurred. No OC'ing turned on.

Downgraded to 1304 and was able to boot up to Windows no problems. I think what i'm gathering out of this is 1304 is the more stable version.

[Skhitzo]

Latest BIOS 1403 CTD when playing games that run for hours on 1304 with no issues. Running on HERO Z690. 12900K & F5-6000U3636E16GX2-TZ5RK