How To Downgrade From Bios v1402 back to v1202 on Asus z790-E Strix Wi-Fi II with i7-14700K

[Ken11]

I updated to BIOS v1402 on a z790-E Rog Strix Gaming Wi-Fi II and have much worse temps and high vCore volts. I was stable on 1202 with temps not above 70C and Vcore not above 1.42v. I updated to keep my i7-14700 from degrading (Intel problem), had it running only 3 months with no issues at all. Now Temps are hitting 95C and vcore up to 5.9 on CP77 and MSFS2020. I tried to reflash with EZ Flash utility in BIOS but it does not see my 1202 CAP file on USB drive which has the same CAP number as the 1402 version. I have a 4080S FE GPU. I need some help as this was my first build and cannot continue with 1402 as is. 

[Silent_Scone · Accepted solution]

Hi @Ken11 

Intel baseline uses a higher loadline value to follow Intel's specification closer. Use USB Flashback function if wanting to return to 1202.

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/intel-700-600-series/intel-july-2024-update-on-instability-reports-on-...

[Ken11]

Thanks for the quick response, I might also add that I am using a Lian Li Galahad Trinity II SL Infinity 360mm AIO with 10 fans in a Lian Li III case and G.SKILL 64G 2X D5 6000 C30 TRGB B memory. I was getting lots of “warning beeps” when the vcore was spiking to almost 6.0 volts while under full load gaming and temps approaching 95c. I waited for weeks researching updating BIOS to 1302 or 1402 because of the updated microcode 125 included. Of all the forums and YT videos I had watched they kept saying “update your BIOS asap. I am more than dissatisfied that I cannot run my games without burning up my previously unharmed CPU. I will try the flashback button on the rear of the motherboard in the morning to return to 1202. In fact, until I updated to 1402 I felt I might be one of the lucky one with my CPU. My SP went from 72 to 69 after the update, My cooler prediction went from 168 to 189. I will respond if I am successful in downgrading in the morning. Thanks again for your suggestion.

[kalo86]

I repeat my message here: I still don't understand why Asus keeps the BIOS 1402.
There are several negative feedbacks online, and this is the reason why I stay with BIOS 1202.

[Silent_Scone]

Mainly because some users don't understand the behaviour when using Intel's profiles, and they're used to ASUS undervolting the CPU.

[Ken11 · Accepted solution]

Thank you Silent_Scone for your help. The flashback button function worked immediately for me and returned my motherboard to BIOS 1202 on my Strix z790-E Gaming Wi-Fi II. I immediately disabled MCE and my temps are back to below 70c and vCore below  1.42 while under load. At this point I am skeptical Intel will ever provide an acceptable solution to the degradation problem. Never the less my SP remains at 69 when it was 72 before the 1402 update. The short time I was running at extreme vCore and Temps did not help my i7-14700K.

[ermanuzun]

Hello, ever tech guy says on youtube, there will be a bios update in the mid of august for all brands. I will wait for that. For now I am on 1402