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.

[jbmerrill1954]

Hi,

I have this same motherboard with an i9-14900ks and I am trying to fine tune ai-overclocking.  I have similar settings to you, but I was wondering if you could post some of your benchmark scores: in particular, XTU, CPU-Z, and Cinebench R23.  My scores are close to 13,000 (XTU), 16,500 (CPU-Z - lower than an i9-13900k), and about 39,000 (Cinebench R23).  I'm okay with these, but would like better and if you have any suggestions on settings, I would welcome them.

Also, I found the latest bios (v2503) to have issues with the POST process in that there were long delays with q-codes 92 and a2, so I reverted back to the previous 2402.  And I read and was told that the new Intel microcode in bios 2503 was just for the non-k processors, so I am avoiding it for now.

Thanks

[vincio]

Do you have similar settings, or did you put these settings that I recommend?

I don't have problem with the 2503 bios and the settings I recommend.
I don't have no delays in the power phase, it takes the same time as the old bios.

The machine is stable and has no crashes during work or games.

I attach the results of Cinebench and CPU-Z.

[jbmerrill1954]

Hi,

My settings are the same as yours except for:

ASUS MultiCore Enhancement: [Enabled - Remove All Limits]

-> PL1 - Long Duration Package Power Limit: [320]
-> PL2 - Short Duration Package Power Limit: [320]

-> UnderVolt Protection: [Disabled]

-> Cooler Efficiency Customize: [Auto]
-> Cooler Score: [185]

High Dram Voltage Mode: [Disabled/Auto]

My Xtu scores should be in the mid to high 13,000 but they are not

My  CPU-Z scores should be higher than 16680 but are not

My Cinebanch scores should be around 40,000 but are not

I have spent an enormous amount of time trying to tune my system and it gets so complicated and time consuming.  I have a top-of-the-line motherboard and CPU and feel I should be getting better performance than I am compared to other people I have seen.

I wish I could find a good guide but it gets  very difficult.

I also have 192GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 and it has been a real battle to run it at XMP speeds.

If you have any advice, that would be welcome.

Thanks

[vincio]

Basically you're saying that with a 14900KS you get results more similar to mine with a 13900K.

However you have listed a series of parameters different from those I suggested and your scenario from what I have read is not optimal.
The biggest problem seems to me the ram, because you have 4 banks and in this case you cannot use "High Dram Voltage Mode" which you must always keep disabled unless you want system crashes. For the ram I always recommend only 2 banks at high speeds and if you need to work better for example 2x24 (48gb) or 2x48 (96GB), for gaming instead the 32GB pair are fine.
But with 192GB especially with the Vengeance which are less tolerant to overclocking, you will have clock times and a slow Dram frequency, this could lead to bottlenecks.
I remember that 4 banks are used without XMP and without High Dram Voltage and are only useful for having many applications open, it is useful for those who make intensive use of video editing applications, but this is at the expense of speed.

So at this point I would go for the 2x24 or 2x48 (48gb or 96gb) pair and activate XMP and High Dram Voltage.

ASUS MCE: Synchronizes all cores to the maximum clock frequency, regardless of the load, here I always recommend using "AUTO" so that the system, through the activation of "AI Optimized" for P-Core and E-Core, exploits the clock load curve autonomously and based on your setup.

So do not use "ASUS MCE: Enabled - Remove All Limits" because you could get a worst case scenario with relative thermal throttling going to lower your results.

Finally, as suggested in the initial post, the following options (Enhanced TVB, UnderVolt Protection, CPU Core/Cache Current limit Max, PL1 and PL2) are needed to keep the processor at the allowed limit, so they should be enabled or in the cases of "CPU Core/Cache" and "PL1 and PL2" set the maximum amperage and wattage limit. This scenario is used to maintain the optimal voltage without sudden changes in excess either during load or idle, also limiting thermal throttling.

Here too I recommend activating them, in your case having a 14900ks 320 Watts for PL1 and PL2 is fine but the amperage limit in CPU Core/Cache Current limit Max remains 400A

So, in conclusion, your machine gets a relatively low score only because you are not throttling it and the RAM is not running in dual channel at the maximum voltage speed.
But if at the same time in the stability tests it allows you to work, without having crashes, it is still good. The choice is yours!

[Alpine_Alex]

---

@vincio wrote:

Basically you're saying that with a 14900KS you get results more similar to mine with a 13900K.

However you have listed a series of parameters different from those I suggested and your scenario from what I have read is not optimal.
The biggest problem seems to me the ram, because you have 4 banks and in this case you cannot use "High Dram Voltage Mode" which you must always keep disabled unless you want system crashes.

---

Can you explain what you mean by this? This function is just for certain IC types to allow them to exceed a certain voltage? What does the number of banks have to do with this, and do you mean DIMMs? Either way, this comment doesn't make any sense.

[vincio]

4 sticks of DDR5 are NEVER recommended unless you need 128 GB or 192 GB and you are fine with a non-functioning XMP, overall slower speeds and higher latencies.
With 4 sticks you will not be able to exceed 5600 or in the case of 192gb 5200 at most and a power supply of 1.2V.

Then the Vengeance are less tolerant to the clocks, in fact I would say almost zero tolerant, in the Corsair world if you want ram for the OC then you have to get the Dominator but in my opinion the oc on the ram guarantees marginal performance.

I point out that motherboards like the APEX series only have 2 ram slots, this is because High Dram Voltage Mode is functional only for 2 sticks, on the forum or web you will find many tests about it!

In my case I had bought 4 sticks to get to 64gb, I had only problems and it was impossible to make them work at the maximum speeds of 7200 with XMP active and fast power at 1.45V. I went back to 2 sticks of DDR5 and I have no problems.

So in summary High voltages current motherboards only work on 2 slots and cannot support 4. This will change with future motherboards that will no longer have DDR5 but CAMM2 that work in single slot.

[Alpine_Alex]

Please show me where it's stipulated anywhere that High DRAM Voltage Mode (to exceed 1.435v) is restricted to 1 DIMM Per channel motherboards

[vincio]

not just one channel, but high speed on the pair of 2 sticks and no more. You can easily find it in your motherboard manual, on the asus website for supported ram. in short, if you make an effort to search on the web you won't have any trouble. Then if you want to buy 4 sticks, let us know how you manage to activate Xmp and High Dram Voltage Mode, you simply can't.

[Alpine_Alex]

The motherboard manual says nothing about the voltage derestriction not functioning with more than two modules.

Z790 Hero.