Z790-F microcode rev 0x129 did not apply

[Hari_Seldon]

I just noticed that I did not have revision 0x129 even though I installed version 2503 of the BIOS.  I was running a microcode updater that runs at boot and saw it updated it from 0x123 to 0x129:

/usr/local/share/cpucontrol/06-b7-01.32: updating cpu /dev/cpuctl0 from rev 0x123 to rev 0x129... done.

The BIOS update to 2503 appeared to work, and I see that in the running system too:

smbios.bios.reldate="08/07/2024"
smbios.bios.revision="25.3"
smbios.bios.vendor="American Megatrends Inc."
smbios.bios.version="2503"
smbios.planar.maker="ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC."
smbios.planar.product="ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI"

[abortoletto]

Have you renamed the BIOS? Try clicking and flashing the button behind the motherboard with the USB stick in fat 32

[Hari_Seldon]

I only renamed the BIOS to 2503.CAP for my convenience and used the BIOS to pick it.  From what I have read, renaming it is only important if updating using BIOS FlashBack:  https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1038568/

[Silent_Scone · Accepted solution]

Hi @Hari_Seldon Remove the updater you're using and check the microcode in Intel XTU under Sys Info.

[Hari_Seldon]

I do not have Windows installed.  Without the updater, a system tool reports it now as 0x129:

Found CPU(s) from Intel
Core 0 to 27: CPUID: b0671  Fam 06  Mod b7  Step 01  Flag 02 uCode 00000129

The Advanced\CPU Configuration panel also shows 0x129, but I cannot confirm if it said 129 after I applied the 2503 update or not.

In case anyone is curious, the system updater uses the microcode provided by Intel to Linux (and other OS such as FreeBSD):  https://github.com/intel/Intel-Linux-Processor-Microcode-Data-Files