since 0x129 microcode BIOS update: not stable with XMPII RAM profiles (PRIME95)

[Gurgeh]

This is more for general community awareness rather than engaging in fault finding but:

Since applying 0x129 microcode BIOS update 2503 08/08/2024) for ROG Z790E Gaming WiFi (1st edition) with intel 13900K Then with all loaded optimised defaults + XMPII profile (Corsair CMH32GX5M2B6400C36 , 2x16GB sticks) , PRIME 95 blend tests fails very easily/quickly. NB: It has been about a year since I last ran these, but I was thorough back then.

All defaults (no XMP) seems stable running for about 20mins far.

Comments welcome. Speculation welcome. Fix suggestions welcome also (I've not got a clue how to approach RAM config timing issues, however, I may not be doing any testing any time soon)

I'm happy to provide more info and answers questions as and when I can though.

[JGdaCaesar]

Yes just drop the speed slightly. I have XMP II on my ram is rated for 6400 and I am running at 6200 perfectly stable no crashes even when stress testing

[Gurgeh]

There is a lot of advice here to suggesting to people that they increase the voltage. Do not do that. 

If you were the sort of person with enough knowledge to do that safely you wouldn't need someone to suggest it. 

Play with speed.

Play with timings. 

But DO NOT increase the voltage.  Unless you know you are pretty expert, and we're going to anyway.

There are RAM voltages and RAM voltages. RAM voltage can kill CPU.

[TIGGO]

Thanks everyone for the help...bad news. The computer had been spontaneously shutting off and occasionally rebooting. I had everything set to the Intel Default settings. The computer shut off today. I had to power off before it would power back on. It began a reboot loop. I was getting a B0 error code. I cleared the CMOS. It then would boot but stick on the B0 error. I decided to reflash the BIOS. No luck. I decided to remove the CPU and then reseat it. I then started getting 55 error code. I also removed the RAM and reinserted it. Tried 1 stick at a time...nothing. Loosened up the CPU bracket and re-inserted the CPU. Nothing. Either the CPU is trashed or it trashed my memory. I basically can't get pass error 55 now. Going to RMA the CPU.

[sn4k3]

Z790-A owner with 13900K, I was in 0x125, Intel Stock Extreme, XMP I, after upgrade to 0x129 games start to crash, after a OCCT RAM test it fail after a second, Memtest tool also trigger more than 400 errors. This wasn't a problem with last bios using the exact same settings.

To solve this I had to go XMP II (ASUS) instead which fix the RAM errors, still this is bad situation and something wrong with this patch is going.

[Gurgeh]

This reply now dupliacted.
See here... https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/intel-700-600-series/since-0x129-microcode-bios-update-not-stable-with...

[Gurgeh]

This post duplicated.

[Alpine_Alex]

I'm running up to 8600MT with no issues. Haven't noticed any difference in stability moving onto 0x129.  The Qualified Vendor List is all still OC related.  Also why the hell would you use Prime? Are you trying to degrade the CPU???

Prime doesn't isolate the memory bus, either. Use a memory stress test like Karhuh.

[gur_helios]

One of the best memory stress test is MemTest86 Pro 11.0 at the time (crucial is that you use the Pro version, It's not free, but rather low-priced). Test your RAM by setting at least 8 runs within MemTest86 Pro 11.0. I'm pretty sure the test will fail and will not pass anymore. Just me feeling. 😉

[Alpine_Alex]

Isn't Memtestpro HCI Memtest? That's weaker than Karhu....

[gur_helios]

I've never used Karhu (I just took a quick look at the tool), but here is the link to the homepage of MemTest86. But as mentioned, if you wanna try it out, use the Pro and NOT the free version with at least 8 iterations and all CPU cores enabled.

PassMark Software: MemTest86 

I'm actually anyhow curious what the result would be. 😀