Bios update 2801, system freezes

[Oiram]

Hi everyone,

I did the update the day before yesterday and spent all time since then to find out what happened: my PC freezes randomly after the upgrade.
Intel i7 13700K, Asus Proart z790 Creator WiFi, Kingston Fury DDR5 5600 64 Gb,Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070 Ti.
I came from Bios 2505, so Intel ME was updated too. Rolling back to 2505 doesn't fix it.
Run memory check from Bios and it's all good.
Reverted to bios default, cleared CMOS...nothign works so far.
It never froze while inside bios.
The only thing I can't do is roll back Intel ME.

Any clue?
Thanks!!!

[Oiram]

Thanks everyone,

my RAM is Fury DDR5 5600 led, two bars 32 Gb.
The system freezes randomly (it might take 30' or as it enters windows 11) no matter what I do. BIOS is at default settings now (no XMP), nothing changes.

[Silent_Scone]

If the system is still freezing at complete Optimised Defaults, consider doing the following:

1. insert one memory module into slot A2

2. Reseat the CPU. Inspect the CPU pin-pad and socket for any debris or damage

3. Ensure consistent mounting pressure when reinstalling the CPU cooler.

4. If there's a BSOD, let us know what the stop-code is.

[Oiram]

I'll try the RAM thing but reseating the CPU...I never moved the PC, why should it be damaged?

[inge70]

It was not said that the CPU was defective, but that the socket 1700 could possibly have damage such as bent pins.
The contact pins are in the socket on the motherboard and not on the CPU-DIE.
So please check everything as suggested by Silent_Scone.

[Silent_Scone]

Doesn't have to be. Can also be improper or inconsistent mounting pressure. This is also why the third party contact frames exist

[Oiram]

Update:
I wrote to Intel assistence. They asked to try

Current Excursion Protection (CEP): Enable
Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB): Enable
Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB): Enable
TVB Voltage Optimizations: Enable
ICCMAX Unlimited Bit: Disable
TjMAX Offset: 0
C-States: Enable
AC/DC Load Lines: AC and DC Load Lines must match
ICCMAX: Varies, Never>400A*
ICCMAX_App: Varies*
Power Limits (PL's): Varies*

It didn't work so I will start a warranty replacement.
But I wonder if it would be safer, and faster, to just go with an i12700K...

[Silent_Scone]

You should be safe with a replacement.

[Oiram]

I'll initiate the SWR. This is really a bother, I do my comics and storyboards on the PC...maybe I'll buy a CPU and resell the new one when it arrives. That is why I wonder whether to get an i12700K rather than another i13700K.
Thank you all for the support!

[inge70]

the alternative to an i7-13700K would be an i9-12900K.
Same number of cores but lower power consumption.

If you have the UEFI currently installed with microcode 0x12B, an i7-13700K should also be protected from all the Intel chaos of the 13th and 14th gen series.

I have been using my i7-13700K without overclocking since 10/2023 and have not had a single problem or error with it so far.

[Oiram]

I sent the i13700k to Intel, after checking they should send a replacement. Until then I am without PC which is a problem, work-wise.
I'm considering buying something on amazon and then resell the new i13700k when/if it arrives.
Alternatives: i7 13700K, i7 13700F, i9 12900K, i9 12900F...any word of advice? Actually I wouldn't mind less power drain...I do play games but I use the PC with Photoshop and Clip Studio to make my comics.
Thanks!!!