Bios 2503 Asus Z790 Extreme - Stable Settings

[vincio]

I installed the new bios 2503 and found the perfect settings that makes every CPU 13th and 14th stable (obviously if they are already degraded you have to change the CPU). From the tests done with Cinebench and OCCT I found no problems and the scores are high.

These are the settings (remember to reset the bios to default before setting them):

Performance Preferences [ASUS Advanced OC Profile].
Ai Overclock Tuner: [XMP Tweaked]
ASUS MultiCore Enhancement: [Auto - Lets BIOS Optimize]
SVID Behavior: [Auto]
Performance Core Ratio: [AI Optimized]
Optmized AVX Frequency: [Normal Use]
Efficent Core Ratio: [AI Optimiezed]

Digi+ VRM
-> CPU Load-line Calibration: [Auto]

Internal CPU Power Management:
-> CPU Core/Cache Current limit Max: [400]
-> PL1 - Long Duration Package Power Limit: [300]
-> PL2 - Short Duration Package Power Limit: [300]
-> IA CEP: [Disabled]
-> SA CEP: [Disabled]
-> IA TDC Current Limit: [Motherboard's Capability]

Thermal Velocity Boost
-> Enhanced TVB: [Enabled].

Tweaker's Paradise.
-> UnderVolt Protection: [Enabled]

AI Features:
-> Cooler Efficiency Customize: [User Specify]
-> Cooler Score: [177]

BCLK Aware Adaptive Volgate: [Auto]
Actual VRM Core Voltage: [Auto]
Global Core SVID Voltage: [Auto]

High Dram Voltage Mode: [Enabled]

In detail I clarify that if you already get a high score for your fans, then not change the “Cooler Efficiency Customize” parameter.

While on the recommended settings this should be specified:

- Enhanced TVB: prevents the CPU from reaching high clock speeds if it gets too hot, I recommend putting it on ACTIVE.
- UnderVolt Protection: is part of the microcode resolution, prevents the processor from going under minimum voltage, recommended to put it on ACTIVE.
- CPU Core/Cache Current limit Max: limits Amper and it is recommended not to leave it on auto but set it to 400A.
- PL1 and PL2 manage the maximum wattage of the CPU PL1 is the maximum wattage, while PL2 is the peak inrush, both you can keep them at 300w

As for the other parameters:

- ASUS MultiCore Enhancement: manages the scenario for multicore, I always recommend leaving it on AUTO.
- SVID Behavior: manages the Load Line (AC) scenario, I recommend AUTO so the system decides the best scenario.
- BCLK Aware Adaptive Volgate: adjusts CPU voltage with frequency curves when overclocking BCLK - suggested to leave it in AUTO or alternatively OFF.
- Actual VRM Core Voltage: regulates and decreases the input voltage to the CPU, if set manually it becomes a fixed and constant voltage; this parameter if used, should be changed on its own, while Global Core and Cache Svid in this case should remain on AUTO.
- Global Core Svid Voltage: This works on idle and full load L1 and L2 loads but with no priority on cache or cpu data, so as if it were a core curve, this parameter should generally be undervolted from -0.050 to -0.100 and if used , I recommend using Actual VRM and Cache Core Svid on AUTO, however after the latest BIOS 2503, as suggested now, it can be left on AUTO.
- Cache Svid Voltage: Works on L3 voltage and is used to prioritize cache processes; this parameter should always be left on AUTO because if set manually it causes bottlenecks with CPU overheating and BSOD system.
- IA / SA CEP: CEP is a processor integrated detector that senses when the Processor load current exceeds a preset threshold by monitoring for a Processor power domain voltage droop at the Processor power domain IMVPVR sense point, disable CEP may increase performance.

[vincio]

@Alpine_Alex did you install 4 RAM and enable High Dram Voltage and XMP? Let me know because I'm curious!

[Alpine_Alex]

I'm curious as well as I don't understand why disabling this function has any impact. If BIOS doesn't allow >1.435v with more than 2 DIMM slots populated then why would disabling it help stability?

That's why I am asking, can you show the VDIMM not being able to exceed 1.435v with more than 2 slots populated?

[vincio]

You didn't answer my question by asking others and you didn't do in-depth research as suggested.

If you look carefully at your motherboard's manual, it says up to how many Mhz it supports on all 4 slots and how many Mhz it supports on only 2 slots. If you look at the RAM specifications, take the example of my Vengeance it says 5600Mhz up to a maximum of 7200Mhz in OC. So it means that if you put 4 sticks you can reach a maximum of 5600mhz and the voltage does not exceed 1.2v, in fact you cannot activate High Voltage mode. While if you use dual-channel then the voltage can reach 1.45v with High Voltage Mode active but only on 2 memories and not 4. So it is a limitation of the motherboard.

In fact, to solve the problem and have a high amount of RAM, but at the same time exploit them in speed, the 2x48, 96gb versions have come out. I attach the official page of the Z790 Extreme, I underlined OC in red, you can only get to those frequencies with 2 banks, while the evidence in yellow you can get there with 4 banks.

[Alpine_Alex]

You told me to check the manual, I have done so and it doesn't mention number of banks (which I think you misconstrued as modules), or number of DIMMs. 

So now you're saying the voltage can't exceed 1.2v VDIMM with more than 2 modules? Please clarify what you mean as right now it doesn't make sense. High DRAM Voltage Mode has nothing to do with frequency, it's a register on the modules which can be toggled on some memory IC types.

[vincio]

I attached the official Asus page, check that and check the ram specifications, check the data of those supported 2x2 or 2x4, you will see that without OC, therefore without having High Dram Voltage Mode the ram will go to 1.2V and lower frequencies in Mhz.

Even if you open CPU-Z it tells you the voltage if you have the ram active or not in OC.

My post was not about the ram, but about the correct stability parameters of the new bios.

Bye and good research!

[Alpine_Alex]

What does any of that have to do with High DRAM Voltage toggle not working with more than 2 modules?
What you've highlighted is showing what frequencies are classified as OC beyond Intel Specification, it has nothing to do with voltage.

Please show VDIMM (VDD/VDDQ) not being able to exceed 1.2v with more than 2 slots populated.

[vincio]

I await your response to my previous question.
How many sticks of ram do you have installed on your computer? If you have 4, have you activated XMP and High Dram Voltage Mode and does everything work normally at high speed as specified on the label of your RAM?

I await the response and the photos to prove that it works for you with 4 RAM in OC and High Dram Voltage Mode active.

Greetings

[Alpine_Alex]

Memory overclocking stability with 4 DIMMs requires some concessions, correct. Every body knows this. The density requires a stronger memory controller and there are physical implications such as the slot to slot skew, noise margins, etc

It however has absolutely no direct relation to High Dram Voltage Function. You need to explain what this comment means. 

This function simply toggles a register that allows more than 1.435v on some IC types. Can you explain why disabling this helps and why?

[vincio]

We must distinguish between controller voltage which are generally VCCIO and VCCSA and work on the CPU voltage and do not affect the DRAM.

While increasing the DRAM voltage is limited to the High Dram Voltage item.
By default, DDR4 or DDR5 work at 1.2 V and many kits to work at about 1.35 V or 1.4 V you need to increase the voltage voltage, that's why by activating High Dram Voltage if the kit is compatible with the ram for example my 2x16 = 32gb from 5600 Mhz from 1.2 V go to 7200 Mhz at 1.4 V.
Currently kits of 4 sticks of ram on 4 slots do not reach those frequencies in Mhz or voltages, they do not exist.
If you want a compromise for the amount of RAM, power expressed in MHz and low latency, the only way is to choose a 2x24=48GB 7600MHz at 1.4 or 2x48=96GB 6800MHz at 1.4V High Dram Voltage kit

[Alpine_Alex]

You're also wrong about VCCIO and VCCSA not impacting DRAM as these system rails directly impact memory stability as they're signal rails - it's also not relevant and you're just derailing my questions with more baseless inaccuracies. At no point have I asked you what frequency is possible when using 4 DIMMs, and this has no direct relevance to how much VDIMM is possible in this configuration. Please stop mentioning this.

Your original statement must have been lost in translation, because you seem to be going off on a tangent that doesn't relate to what you said in the quote above.

You can as a matter of fact use the High DRAM Voltage function with more than 2 DIMMs.