ROG STRIX Z690-E GAMING WIFI ( Where is the New Bios with microcode for K processors?)

[Darkstonebr]

There is a BIOS, but it is for non-K processors.

Since I use a 13700K, I don't think it will work.

Now I'm worried that there won't be a microcode fix for the K versions.

It's impossible for ASUS to have so much difficulty implementing it, since INTEL has already made the fix available to manufacturers.

[Darkstonebr]

I contacted ASUS.
They sent me a FAQ article.
https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1053456/

Interestingly, the microcode fix for K processors was already implemented before the fix released by INTEL in AUGUST.

Now the question remains.
Would this microcode fix for K-series processors before August be a definitive fix?
Or is it simply the implementation of Intel's base definitions?
Would running anything outside the basic definition (like XMP), for example, cause crashes?
So that explains why many are having problems with the last two BIOSes. (3701 / 3802)

Well, I don't know if I'm going to update with these new BIOSes.
I think I'll keep the current one, downclocking the processor.

[achugh]

Hi @Darkstonebr ASUS is getting these Microcode updates from Intel. 

https://community.intel.com/t5/Processors/Microcode-0x129-Update-for-Intel-Core-13th-and-14th-Gen-De... is what Intel has to say. I am quoting

Intel is currently distributing to its OEM/ODM partners a new microcode patch (0x129) for its Intel Core 13th/14th Gen desktop processors which will address incorrect voltage requests to the processor that are causing elevated operating voltage.

For all Intel Core 13th/14th Gen desktop processor users: This patch is being distributed via BIOS update and will not be available through operating system updates. Intel is working with its partners to ensure timely validation and rollout of the BIOS update for systems currently in service.

Microcode 0x129 is for K series processor. That statement is purely about the BIOS defaults being applied. As it states, the defaults have been adjusted for certain processors over the last couple of BIOS revisions.

If you want the latest Microcode then install the latest BIOS for your board. If you are happy with your state, do not make any changes. 

Keep in mind that this Intel Official message has FURTHER READING link at the bottom of this message to their previous message and once you read the official messages from Intel, the recommendation is to get on 129 Microcode for 13th and 14th Gen processor if your system is stable with this Microcode. 

If you experience instability, you can either downgrade to an older version of BIOS (keep in mind that if you upgrade from an older ME version, downgrading the BIOS DOES NOT downgrade ME version and people have various opinions that ME upgrades are possibly causing issues too) or you can RMA your CPU.

Hope this helps.

[Darkstonebr]

Thanks for your contribution.
It seems that the only way to find out if my CPU has degraded is to use the most recent BIOS.

Unfortunately, I can't resort to RMA, since there is no purchase receipt or original box. I bought it directly from another person who was going to upgrade to the 14 series.

If my processor is degraded, I'll have to keep using it as long as it lasts.

It would be very sad to change CPUs, 1 or 2 years after starting to use it.

My old processor was a 2600k with 12 years of good service.

[achugh]

Hi @Darkstonebr what BIOS version are you currently using? Are you experiencing any issues with your setup? If everything is good, I would not touch it. There are posts here where people touched a working setup and due the ME Firmware update also included in the newer BIOS now things are not stable.

It takes a lot of parameters to work properly for a stable system. These BIOS updates are causing a full re-evaluation of the system causing the BIOS to find a new combination of values. For some people these new values are not working out.

[Darkstonebr]

My current BIOS is 2204.

My first experience with instability was with the recent release of the game ONCE HUMANS.

When I tried to run it, the game would crash on startup.
At first I thought it was poor optimization of the game.

When I did some research, I discovered this problem with INTEL processors.

Since I started using the 13600k + ROG STRIX z690 E-Gaming, I have never used the ASUS stock voltage VRM, which is around 1.4v.

So I left it around 1.35v (this way I kept the CPU cooler).

After discovering the problems with the 13 series,

To mitigate any possible problems,
I started using XTU to reduce the clock.

I also selected in the Windows power options that the processor should not exceed 70% of maximum performance.

The only problem is that ASUS boards have some problem with WATCHDOG.
which prevents XTU from saving the changes.

I read on another forum that some people were able to solve the WATCHDOG problem by updating the bios, resetting the card settings and not changing anything, or disabling some option.

Finally, I'm able to play the game Once Humans without any instability.

Even when I forget to enable downclocking in XTU

Which makes me believe that either the game is using less processor power because I reduced the graphics settings.

Or the fact that the processor doesn't exceed 70%.

[achugh]

Hi @Darkstonebr from your current BIOS version of 2204 to the latest BIOS version of 3802 there are 4 ME Firmware updates released. If you check the release notes, you will notice that version 2403, 2603, 2802 and finally 3101 are all shipping with additional ME Firmware either included or as a required dependency.

I tried to find the one post I read about a BIOS upgrade on some Z690 board where the upgrade was from 22xx to the latest 38xx which has some stability issue but I could not find it. I tried this search to confirm if the board in discussion was exactly your board or some other board.

My general recommendation is always to keep your system current but with Intel's 13th and 14th Gen processor issues I am not personally feeling that confident like I used to before.

So, it is totally up to you if you would like to try updating your BIOS. Just keep in mind the note on the BIOS updates i.e. ME Firmware cannot be downgraded. Where this comes into picture is, if you have any issues with the latest BIOS and you feel like trying an older version, you should not go below the oldest certified BIOS version with the matching ME version, which in your case will be 3101. If you try going below this version (after you have upgraded to 3802) then the BIOS is not tested with this newer ME version so you may have issues which are not going to be fixed since newer versions of the BIOS exists that properly support the matching ME version.

Next to address your other questions, regarding 70% of maximum performance option via Windows Power plan, see my post https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gaming-motherboards/asus-rog-strix-b650e-f-gaming-wifi-amd-ryzen-7-780... as the first 2-3 paragraphs is what applies to you. Basically, you can gain some of your system performance back by increasing from 70 to 99.

I am completely lost with your statement below

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I have never used the ASUS stock voltage, which is around 4v.

So I left it around 3.5v (this way I kept the CPU cooler).

Which voltage are you referring to that is 4V or 3.5V? Are you talking about CPU voltages? But they don't go beyond 1.7V otherwise your CPU will mostly burn.

Regarding XTU, not saving changes you will need to provide additional details like what version of Windows and XTU utility you are using. Maybe the moderators or someone else here can help you with this topic as I have not seen or read anywhere that ASUS boards support making BIOS changes via XTU. What I have personally seen is that XTU creates a profile and it gets loaded on Windows Start like any other startup program where the XTU utility will apply the configuration from the profile. Maybe Armoury Crate has some abilities to make specific BIOS changes specially fan profile which will get saved into BIOS.

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Finally, I'm able to play the game Once Humans without any instability.

Even when I forget to enable downclocking in XTU

Which makes me believe that either the game is using less processor power because I reduced the graphics settings.

Or the fact that the processor doesn't exceed 70%.

---

Regarding this above item, after watching the following two videos from BUILDZOID my understanding is that your CPU and BIOS configurations are not matching. Since you are on older BIOS some of these stability issues are for sure addressed in newer BIOS. It is up to you if you want to take a chance. It is of course recommended and if you do run into issues, you can then come back here and get the help from all the forum members as well as the ASUS Support team here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9slwXKUwmnE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI2x2_skwSs

Hope this information helps you get more out of your system performance while staying stable at the same time.

[Darkstonebr]

Hello, sorry for taking so long to reply.

So, here we go.

First, where I mentioned the voltages of 4v and 3.5v
I forgot to mention that this refers to the VRM voltage.
The correct values ​​should be 1.4v and 1.35v.
I edited the post with the correct values ​​and mentioned the VRM voltage

Thanks for the information about the ME, and the minimum BIOS I can go down to.

Before reading your post (today).
Yesterday I decided to update to the latest Bios 3802.
I tested it in Default, and tested it with XMP active.
I voted to allow 100% the CPU use.
The system behaved stably.

XTU also started to recognize the watchdog as active.
Now (if necessary) I can set a value, and it will save it.

I haven't done the Stress tests yet.
At first, I noticed stuttering in two games. (I'll test it in more games)
But when I restarted the same games, I didn't notice the stuttering.

Maybe the system is adapting.
Maybe the video driver is out of date.

Anyway. Thanks for the links about using 99% CPU and the videos you sent, I'll take a look.

And I'll do the CPU Stress tests to check if there are any crashes.

My initial expectations are good.

[achugh]

I'm glad to hear that things are working out for you. Enjoy!