2004 BIOS - ROG MAXIMUS XI series

[Vassilis008]

Version 2004
2021/11/29 8.19 MBytes
ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO (WI-FI) BIOS 2004
"1. Update Intel ME firmware.
2. Improve system stability

Everything working well for me so far after the update 🙂

[calleone]

Hi Asus,
I did a bios update from 1802 to 2004 a week ago and now I noticed that all cores clocked the same throughout, before 1 core was sometimes at 800MHz and another then sometimes briefly over 2GHZ etc.. Now they all clock the same, 1 core has 5GHZ then all have 5GHz etc.

I did a reset in the Bios, but this did not help.
This is only since I installed the Bios Update (2004), Intel Management Engine Interface and the Intel Chipset Driver.

Gehäuse: Ponos TG Midi-Tower, Tempered Glass
Mainboard: Asus ROG MAXIMUS XI FORMULA Z390
CPU: Core i9-9900K R0 3.60-5.00GHz
GPU: KFA² GeForce RTX 2080 Ti EX (1-Click OC)
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4 32 GB: 2 x 16 GB - DIMM 288-PIN - 3200 MHz CL14
SSD: 2000GB Patriot Viper VPN100 M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe 1.3 3D-NAND TLC
Netzteil: Be quiet! Dark Power Pro 11 1000W

[Jesseinsf]

syntax2001 wrote:
Hi there,

looks like I hit a similar issue on my Prime Z390-A with BIOS version 2004.

I have populated all four slots with 4 x 32 GB = 128 GB.
It's a RAM kit that is not on the QVL: Corsair Vengeance LPX 4 x 32 GB - 2666 MHz / PC4-21300 - CL16CMK128GX4M4A2666C16

This kit worked perfectly fine for over a year with BIOS version 1802 with XMP I.

When I upgraded to 2004 it posts, but when I test the RAM with Memtest86 it reports a lot of errors with XMP I.
When I changed it to XMP II, it posts, but Memtest86 still reports some errors (albeit less than with XMP I).

Downgraded back to 1802, everything works fine with XMP I: Post is OK, Memtest86 reports NO errros (after *days* of testing...)

So, it looks like something was messed up in the BIOS with XMP...

Please tell me what there is to XMP at 2666 Mhz? Also, that RAM kit is supposed to be CMK128GX4M4A2666C16.

[syntax2001]

Jesseinsf wrote:
Please tell me what there is to XMP at 2666 Mhz? Also, that RAM kit is supposed to be CMK128GX4M4A2666C16.

Yes, with XMP the RAM runs with 2666 MHz. Without XMP it's just 2133 MHz.
And yes, the RAM-Kit is CMK128GX4M4A2666C16.

[calleone]

I just looked under HWInfo, there you can also see how all cores constantly clock the same in the desktop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIRbjjao37k

On my laptop it looks like it should be or how it was before the bios update on the computer. It is an AMD but that does not matter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUzVmTVlWy8

You can see on the laptop that all cores clock differently, so it was on my computer before the bios update and the Intel Management Engine Interface and Intel chipset driver.

[calleone]

no one has the problem but me?

A Bios downgrade to version 1802 will probably no longer be possible because the Intel ME firmware was flashed with the Bios update and this can not be undone, right?

[it4vt]

calleone wrote:
no one has the problem but me?

A Bios downgrade to version 1802 will probably no longer be possible because the Intel ME firmware was flashed with the Bios update and this can not be undone, right?

I think it's not a problem, this behavior is due to default turbo mode settings, try enable Multicore enhancement in BIOS and change power plan to High Performance in Windows power options.

And you can flash any BIOS version, if your MB support USB BIOS flashback.

[calleone]

it4vt wrote:
I think it's not a problem, this behavior is due to default turbo mode settings, try enable Multicore enhancement in BIOS and change power plan to High Performance in Windows power options.

And you can flash any BIOS version, if your MB support USB BIOS flashback.

Thanks for the answer.
I have the Bios 1802 played up to the test, has brought nothing. So it was probably not the Bios update. Then it can only be the Intel Management Engine Interface or Intel chipset driver. Can I do something against it? Can I deinstall it or install older versions? I think I installed this Intel Management Engine for the first time, never knew what it was for.

I set multicore enhancement from auto to on and off, didn't fix the problem.

[antonyng]

syntax2001 wrote:
Hi there,

looks like I hit a similar issue on my Prime Z390-A with BIOS version 2004.

I have populated all four slots with 4 x 32 GB = 128 GB.
It's a RAM kit that is not on the QVL: Corsair Vengeance LPX 4 x 32 GB - 2666 MHz / PC4-21300 - CL16CMK128GX4M4A2666C16

This kit worked perfectly fine for over a year with BIOS version 1802 with XMP I.

When I upgraded to 2004 it posts, but when I test the RAM with Memtest86 it reports a lot of errors with XMP I.
When I changed it to XMP II, it posts, but Memtest86 still reports some errors (albeit less than with XMP I).

Downgraded back to 1802, everything works fine with XMP I: Post is OK, Memtest86 reports NO errros (after *days* of testing...)

So, it looks like something was messed up in the BIOS with XMP...

I'm Z390-E, was using 1802 with 32gb run G.SKILL Trident Z Royal F4-3200C16D-16GTRS 4x8gb all good until. After I upgraded to 2004, My pc restart without any message or error code. Take off 2x8gb and running memtest86 no errors. But will but when I test the 4x RAM with Memtest86 it reports a lot of errors with XMP I and 2. Something is wrong with the 2004 BIOS. I dont think Asus would bother to fix it for us.

[ionised]

antonyng wrote:
I'm Z390-E, was using 1802 with 32gb run G.SKILL Trident Z Royal F4-3200C16D-16GTRS 4x8gb all good until. After I upgraded to 2004, My pc restart without any message or error code. Take off 2x8gb and running memtest86 no errors. But will but when I test the 4x RAM with Memtest86 it reports a lot of errors with XMP I and 2. Something is wrong with the 2004 BIOS. I dont think Asus would bother to fix it for us.

You might be right about ASUS not fixing it.

I've sent them my RAM specs, BIOS settings, steps to reproduce the issue (any BIOS after 1802, using 4 sticks of RAM at above default 2400Mhz) but they've claimed they cannot reproduce the issue.

All I know is my system is rock solid stable at 4 x 3000Mhz sticks 1.35v on BIOS 1802 but fails on 1902, 1903 and 2004 unless I drop the speed to 2400Mhz.

*edit* I got impatient and decided to go with a set of 2 x 16GB Corsair Vengeance which works perfectly (despite not being on QVL) perfectly on BIOS 2004.

As I said originally, the instability (for me) on any BIOS after 1802 was due to filling up all four DIMM slots and attempting to run memory above 2400Mhz. Using only two DIMM slots would allow me to use memory at rated speeds.

[Nate152]

Hi calleone

It's a power saving feature and is working normally. You can have your cpu run constantly at the boost clock by setting the windows power plan to high performance. You'll have to click "Show additional plans" .