BIOS 3901

[JohnAb]

I haven't tried the 3901 beta yet, because 3802 didn't work for me on Z690/12th Gen, the first ever BIOS that left me with blank screens and slow boots. So I have some questions:

1. Can it definitely be rolled back? 2. Is it even supposed to work with 12th Gen?

I believe that the recent microcode updates are really for 13th & 14th Gen, but there is no guidance in the BIOS release notes for 12th Gen users. At the end of the day, Z690 (and hence any BIOS release) is supposed to support 12th, 13th and 14th Gen right?

Have any 12th Gen users tried it yet on Z690? I have a lot of work on right now and if it doesn't work and can't be rolled back, then I'm in trouble. Thanks. 

[industria]

Any ETA on final version? Why is this beta, considering its very important fix...

[Sineira1]

Well the beta BIOS doesn't work, gives error code and says it's not a BIOs file.

[Nate152]

Hello Sineira1

You have to rename the bios file using the bios renamer. Otherwise, it will show as not a proper bios file when updating.

[Sineira1]

It's renamed and says that anyway.

[Nate152]

Which method are you using to update the bios?

If your motherboard supports the bios flashback feature, try using that.

[JohnAb]

So now there is a 'SupportTabs Beta' version of 3901. I have no idea what SupportTabs is supposed to mean, but the description states this:

"The option to disable C1E in the BIOS has been removed to ensure it remains enabled, reducing processor stress and maintaining stability per Intel's recommendation."

Anybody have any experience with this version on 12900K?

I also notice there is now the "SUPPORTTABS_VERSION 16.1.27.2176" of ME firmware available separately on the downloads page. Is this different to the normal version of 16.1.27.2176? The standard version of 16.1.27.2176 has been there for some time and I've never understood why it is even available when it's older than the ME firmware included with the BIOS. The ME firmware version bundled with the BIOS makes no mention of it being a 'SupportTabs' version. 

I'm happy to be enlightened if anybody understands what is going on. 

[chappetiti]

Hello,

Has anyone tested it with 14900KS and tell me if it works well?

Thank you in advance.

Nico

[roganaut]

Hi, 

now that Z890 is previewed already I have no intention to update my  Bios 3101. As I run my system within specs (Z690-I, 13700K) I can see no benefits in updating. Especially as noone knows what's behind the curtains. And there is no proof that these updates fix anything but  maybe self-justification actionism.

[Wesley1]

You should update to BIOS 3802 for your motherboard. There are test on the internet showing improved voltage spikes on microcode 0x129.

Don't update to BIOS 3901, it enforces C1E power saving CPU state, and this BIOS is bugged, it break power profiles at least on Windows 10.
CPU is always trying to throttle down as much as possible especially on P-cores.

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/intel-700-600-series/raptorlake-resources/m-p/1047036/highlight/true#M...

The issue is also seen on Balanced Power Profile, but less severe, since that profile throttles CPU anyway.

But instead of throttling down P-core to 1.1GHz, it pushes it way back to 0.8GHz, which is equivalent to deep sleep in CPU. That adds latency, could show up as stuttering in games and audio drop outs in audio editing.

[JohnAb]

Thanks Wesley1, 3802 was no good for me - black screens, so sounds like I should avoid 3901 perhaps. 3701 has been working  very well at my end.