I have upgraded the BIOS of my Maximus Apex Z890 several times since I bought it (1703, 1801, 1901, and 2006) and have always been able to set the AI Overclock Tuner to XMP I without any problems of stability. However, when I upgraded the BIOS to 2201 yesterday, Windows 11 crashed and had to be recovered. I cleared the CMOS and set the AI Overclock Tuner to XMP I, again, and got the same result. Then I set the AI Overclock Tuner to Manual and the DRAM Frequency to DDR5-5600MHz and the system is stable now. Whatever changes were made in version 2201 is causing Windows 11 to become unstable when AI Overclock Tuner is set to XMP I, at least in my computer.
I am a software developer and NEVER play games in my computer. There are only three BIOS changes that I always make after a BIOS upgrade: to set the passwords (admin and user), the AI Overclock Tuner, and the Onboard Devices Configuration -> Q-Code LED Function -> POST Code Only.
Addendum: I always upgrade the BIOS with the ZIP file, using Tools -> ASUS EZ Flash, so that both the Intel ME and the BIOS are upgraded at the same time.
Here are my settings:
Motherboard: ASUS Maximus Apex Z890
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Memory: Corsair DDR5-5600MHz (CMK96GX5M2B5600C40), 2 x 48GB, Total: 96 GB
Video card: ASUS Dual GeForce RTX™ 5060 8GB GDDR7 OC Edition
SSDs: 3 Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
PSU: Corsair HX1000i Fully Modular ATX
OS: Windows 11, version: 24H2, OS build: 26100.6584, Windows Feature Experience Pack: 1000.26100.234.0
