Intel I9-14900K on ASUS Z790e - Stability issues during high load and new bios update 2503

[WannaBe257]

The new Bios 2503 does not fix stability issues on I9-14900K. I have updated the bios to 2503 and not changed anything, all settings are recommended by Intel. And I expect my system to work without doing any changes in bios. At least now when Intel is aware of the situation on I9 CPU's.

So now I would like to find the Bios setting that work for I9-14900K with max performance and stability. And yes, I have tried the new update 2503 and as I expected there was a BSOD and windows error was regarding hardware issue. So, roll back to Bios version 2202, and the computer was back to normal.

Just want to say before further reading, no error message has ever mentioned GPU/RAM or other HW components on this setup. What has bothered me is that games have just quit directly to windows with no error message what so ever. Or some games just have a note <"game name" just crashed, send error report "yes" or "no">

After a little research I found out this could be the CPU.

So now I have decided to test I9 for what it is worth. Lets start with some HW spec:

• ASUS Z790e
• ASUS RTX4090 OC
• Intel I9-14900K
• Kingston Fury Renegade M2-SSD
• Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 6000Mhz
• Corsair 1000W PSU

Bios Adjustments on version (2202) every thing else as default.

• All-core ratio Limit--> 53
• P Core Ratio --> 53
• SVID Behavior --> Intel Fail Safe
• Disable F1 error
• Fast Boot --> Enable
• Boot Logo Display --> Disable

System works with these settings, but that is not the point here, I want my system to perform as expected with anticipated specs. This configures in bios 2202 lacks performance of what the system should perform.

Coolig System on CPU only.

• Corsair Hydro X XD5 Water Pump
• Black Ice Nemesis 420GTX® Dual-Core Xtreme Profile Radiator - 3x140mm
• Phobya Extreme 360 Radiator - 3x120mm
• EK Water Blocks Quantum Velocity 2

Added one photo of the Stress test from Intel diagnostic tool to be sure the CPU works properly.

After Running Prime 95 torture test for 20minutes I noticed the power consumption was as high as 370W at some point did not get a screenshot of that, and that's high and hot!

After the test I looked at the Bios settings the TDP PL 1/PL 2  was on auto, meaning 4095watt is max... crazy default settings.

So a little adjustment on watt to 250/330

And some of you have maybe seen that number before I guess.

This is better, max 250W also lower the temp by 11c° from Auto mode. After 20 min with torture test on prime 95.

Noticed there are 600mhz less after adjusting PL1/2 all other settings are the same. Now I have to figure out how to get over 5 ghz again. 

The core was changed to 57 just to see if clock speed rise again, but cpu failed the Prime 95 torture test. Program just quit after 20-30 sec, just like a game would to. So the then I just needed to try auto mode to see if there are any improvement to stability during load.

Something interessting happens after this, Just changed these values to 57 and then auto

• All-core ratio Limit--> 57 --> Auto
• P Core Ratio --> 57 --> Auto

And guess what, BSOD again.. thats interessting. Why can't the system handle auto? Looks like it need a set number to boot windows and 57 worked to get into windows but not during heavy load like Prime 95.

To this point, no voltage have been adjusted at all.. maybe thats next step... or wait that is what the new bios 2503 should fix. right??

Guess I have to try and update to 2503 bios again  and change some values to see if it's working. At least now there are some ideas to work with.

Testing to be continued.

[WannaBe257]

This happens today during Torture test, and the only change is the Core Current Limit(Amps) --> To 350 and Core ratio adjusted to 55 on all P-cores.

Worker 3 is the only worker to fail, this has occured 2 times now.

Can anyone tell me what this is?? 

Does anyone know what other tools to be used to verify CPU health. Just need to be 100% sure it's not a defect core?

result from Diagnostic tool from Intel.

So before next bios update to 2503 I need to be 100% sure it's not HW defects.

[inge70]

There are currently no tools that can show the actual health of the CPU.
Intel wants to make such a tool available, but only Intel knows when that will happen.
Currently, the only options are CinebenchR23/ R24, Prime95, y-Cruncher, games with UnrealEngine5 and the Intel DiagnosticTool to find out the approximate status of the CPU.
If the tools run smoothly, the CPU should be OK.
However, this is currently not a 100% guarantee.

[Silent_Scone]

It would be best if you stopped running Prime as this is a surefire way to degrade the CPU. Is there anything stopping you from simply using the system rather than trying to verify something using synthetic tests?

Nobody is really going to be able to give you any reassurances here. Just try to avoid subjecting the CPU to high current workloads unnecessarily, and ensure you're using the 0x129 microcode. 👍

[WannaBe257]

Just about to Update the new bios 2503, and making the same adjustment as if the system run with older bios. If windows load normal then small adjustments will be tested to ensure stability. Just try to find the root for ingame crash.

I still annoys me a lot that this CPU cannot run its full potential with a new bios without change any bios settings.

I'll keep you updated.

[WannaBe257]

Interesting start with new Bios, Finally got the 2503 version to lauch windows, but adjustment to bios was totally nessasarry.

This first picture are from lauch with no changes in new bios. Error message in english rest in Norwegian.

"driver irql not less or equal"

This was with Intel default settings. And BSOD was in the horizon already.  Had two BSOD with Intel Default settings.

These settings in Intel default settings are similar to what I had in bios 2202

To manually set default settings along with P-Core ratio, Performance Preferences need to be ASUS Advanced OC Profile.

Here are the settings for the system to lauch into windows.

After this few adjustments in the settings, the computer is back to normal, windows loading like it should,

Have not got the chance to play any games yet, or tweak settings to get stable 6ghz turbo mode if thats even possible with new Intel default settings. At least that is what I would like to achive

If you see any configuration to be changed or adjusted, please let me know. before I start to test the CPU 😉

[WannaBe257]

Now im giving up on this.. All looks fine until it crashed again.

Have to change SVID behavior to Intel Fail safe to be able to lauch the game

Got at least 15 min with horizon forbidden west before it crashed.

So next step is to get a new CPU so hopefully maybe it fix this issue.

[Silent_Scone]

Yes, replace the CPU - and don't run Prime Torture test on the new one lol.

[WannaBe257]

At least now I know the CPU looks to be one of the faulty one. This is the first ever CPU I got with problems, and Prime verified it must be something wrong. Also this is the first time ever bios update don't fix anything what so ever, in my case!

And maybe you would ask why I use 2202 bios, well it's the only bios that don't crash the system in gaming. And for me that is strange? Of course the other version have been installed with no success.

If I get new CPU this tread will continue. So for now 2202 bios version is back in the bios and working settings applayed.

[WannaBe257 · Accepted solution]

It's no doubt the CPU was broken, got a new CPU today and the Bios update was installed and windows started flawless, no problem at all..

CPU running at 5700 MHz like it supposed to, so hope this Intel fix will last, and there will be no more problem.

The only adjustment in bios was ignore CPU fan speed. And that is exactly what is anticipated with bios update.

Conclusion: It is not possible to revive a broken I9 CPU with bios update. Get a new one and that is the only fix for now..