Bios 3703

[acerzr2]

I am running on the Maximus VIII hero alpha. In regards to the specter/meltdown security issue,
if I update my management engine driver and run the update tool, am I safe with 3504 BIOS, or am I not fully
safe until ASUS releases the 3703 BIOS?

[xeizo]

I've been running the 3703 bios since the day it was released with no particular problems, it works and the annoying reboot-bug(halts at reboot) from the latest bios:es when OC:d is gone which is real nice. I've been running insider builds of Windows 10, currently at 17120, and they have all worked well.

Meanwhile, my laptop from HP have had three bios updates because of Meltdown/Spectre, understandingly as the first one had catastrophic performance issues. But the latest bios which came a few days ago is rather smooth. I'm pretty certain HP has a newer Intel-patch in it's bios, Intel has released more than one and 3703 came out before the latest patch was announced. So, Asus should realistically have a new bios coming with the very latest patch, and with possibly less performance impact.

[xeizo]

edit. double post

[Mr_Wolf]

Thanks for the feedback.
I've also measured ~10% cpu hit here in BF1, for now I'll continue to quote 6% to 10% slowdown (intel conservative numbers for client systems in last generation cpus).
https://newsroom.intel.com/editorials/intel-security-issue-update-initial-performance-data-results-c...

[aceisme]

I have decided to run the Intel ME Detection Tool after upgrading to BIOS3703 and it tells me that my system is vulnerable. I thought this BIOS contains the Meltdown/Spectre fix already? Or am I missing something?

[claudej]

Probably Intel ME Firmware upgrade,

[aceisme]

Isn't the ME firmware updated already with this BIOS version?

[claudej]

Not sure but no mention of ME in my 3703 Bios.
My MEUpdateTool is in the BIOS Update list.
(Use ME Update tool to update your ME.
*We suggest you update ME Driver to the latest Version 11.7.0.1040 simultaneously.)

Also InSpectre#7 hints on the latest Intel processor microcode patches available.

[Elbrus]

Have they reworked this BIOS with the newest Intel Microcode for Skylake? I tried this back when it was released and had to RMA my processor to Intel due to the buggy microcode first released. The new and less-buggy version was released last month but the BIOS date doesn't reflect this.

Optionally, has anyone compiled a BIOS based on 3703 that does not contain the Spectre/Meltdown fix? (I'm a fan of the fix-just dear jesus not the first iteration of it)