New BIOS: Z690 BIOS 3501

[1100R]

"The update introduces the Intel Baseline Profile option, allowing users to revert to Intel factory default settings for basic functionality, lower power limits, and improving stability in certain games"

I haven't installed it yet, I think it's aimed at 14000K cpus

[siposnorbert71]

HI FRIEND!
I also have the same asus z690 hero and I can run it stably with 14700k with these rams at 6000mhz https://www.gskill.com/product/165/374/1640229752/F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5RK-F5-6000J3636F16GA2-TZ5RK

[simon_leuener]

Thanks for ur Input. It seems to be a problem between z690 / 12th Gen and G.Skill 6000 - 6400 Mhz.
Paired with the voltings or timings on every new BIOS recently.

[raddragon]

How did you get on with syncing p-cores to 55?

[raddragon]

I have had excruciating problems with my chip. I’m running two systems. A 12900KS on a Z690F mobo – this is stable. I also run a 13900KS on a z690E mobo – this has issues.

I have moved the CPUs between the boards, swapped memory and the common issue is the 13900KS. This is my second 13900KS as the IMC died on my first one in early 2023.

It does not matter what BIOS version, ram modules, when the 13900KS is unstable is has crashes, will refuse to install windows, refuses to install nvidia drivers, World of Warships crashes and there are BSODs at least every 10mins etc.

Whenever I sync all cores to 55, stability appears on both boards, ram combo and bios version. If I set it to 56 or 57 it crashes. The Intel baseline profile created issues for me and as I said earlier it took me days to install windows with over 100 attempts.

As soon as I sync all cores to 55, windows installs first try and works perfectly. If I tweak any further cores settings, nvidia drivers refuse to install and World of Warships starts crashing. I set cores back to 55 and I can game for 10+ hours with not one crash.

[Silent_Scone]

Hi @raddragon 

What happens to stability if you adjust the SVID behaviour to Intel Fail Safe?

[raddragon]

@Silent_Scone With intel fail safe selected without sync cores is unstable

[JohnAb]

After 2 years, I've only ever had one code 53 on boot previously and that was shortly after updating to BIOS 3401. Tonight,  I've just had another code 53 on BIOS 3501. I was rebooting many times using the reset button while trying to get different Linux versions to work with Ventoy (the solution is to select the Grub 2 boot option which works with most Linux ISOs). 

Anyway, like others have suggested, I'm convinced something isn't right with the last two BIOS versions. 

Either that, or my hardware is failing, which I very much doubt because in Windows and games everything is still 100% stable. It's the POST process where the problem lies, during initial BIOS memory checking.  

Of course, it could also be something to do with ME Firmware as I always keep that right up to date. 

Something, somewhere, has changed in the last few weeks.

[Silent_Scone]

Memory instability, do you tend to verify stability every time you update the UEFI?

[JohnAb]

Hi Silent_Scone - I've only tested stability with MemTest 86+ in the BIOS after the code 53 events. I know this isn't the most demanding test, but no problems found. I've also ran some RAM tests within Windows and again, all fine. In Windows I've only ever had one blue screen in two years and one recent freeze during Windows startup, after I had tried enabling the baseline profile and running some benchmark tests, just out of interest. Strangely, the freeze was immediately after I had turned the baseline profile back off by reloading my saved BIOS settings (for the same version).

Anyway, once everything is up and running, stability seems perfect. I can run benchmarks, stress tests, games, all perfect. 

So it's only recently that these code 53 events have occurred during POST. Only twice in maybe 5 weeks, so hardly a major issue, but it just seems strange. The BIOS settings are the same as always as follows, mostly defaults, no manual CPU overclocking:

Fan adjustments, GNA enabled, PCH voltages lowered to midpoints (which tames PCH temps), XMP on.

I've had those PCH voltages on midpoints since the machine was built, so I think it's highly unlikely to be that and I can't think of any other recent changes that I've made other than BIOS and ME Firmware (plus driver and software updates of course, but that wouldn't affect POST). I've also had no WHEA errors for well over 12 months and can find no other indications of issues. 

So I can't say for sure it's the recent BIOS versions, but it seems likely since others have reported memory stability issues where all was OK previously. It might be a small percentage of people, I don't know, but I suspect that something is going on. 

[siposnorbert71]

Hi JohnAb!
asus z690 hero- BIOS 3401- MEI 2406.5.5.0- ME firmware 16.1.30.2361
CPU 14700k undervolt - I run memories at 6000MHZ.
my system is stable and problem free.
I don't think ME firmware is the cause of the problem. Hi