PowerSpec BIOS Requests and Questions - AMD

PowerSpec_MikeW

Greetings,

This a thread for our customers to request BIOS updates, or at least ask questions about BIOS updates and if new features may improve them system performance and reliability. Please post here with all questions and requests. We'll add the BIOS updates to this thread as they become available.

Stunna2023

Can we please get a bios update for the g714. 

PowerSpec_MikeW

@Stunna2023

Are you on 1MC?

johnkizer

This might be a dumb question, but…I recently bought a G717. I can see that the BIOS publish date is back in January, and that there have been several BIOS updates published by MSI for what I believe is the same motherboard that's in my device (https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B650-P-WIFI/support).

However, I also see BIOS update files posted here directly by Micro Center…is it necessary to use Micro Center-published files, or do the ones from MSI also work? Is using MSI BIOS updates "possible-but-risky"?

Thanks for any guidance!

PowerSpec_MikeW

@johnkizer

It's fine, you can generally roll back if there's an issue. We're very concerned about testing memory stability on AM5, which can change negatively on later BIOS versions. You're not likely to have an issue on a new BIOS from MSI, but it's possible.

johnkizer

@PowerSpec_MikeW Thanks a ton for the response! I guess the flipside question might be then…if I'm not noticing any problems, I'm unlikely to need to apply a new BIOS version, would that be fair to say? From scanning the release notes on the MSI site, it seems like the reason for the update is usually some sort of performance tweak, not like a security issue or something like that.

(This is the fastest PC I've ever owned by a country mile, I'm not exactly trying to poke and prod on this thing for an extra 0.02% speed on some benchmark or an extra 1 FPS on some competitive game, that's just not my use case)

PowerSpec_MikeW

@johnkizer

Typically, yes. If it isn't broken don't risk trying to fix it. You will some times see critical vulnerability patches, but that would be stated in the BIOS notes. AGESA firmware may bring better memory compatibility, but I wouldn't expect real world noticeable performance gains.

johnkizer

Got it, thanks! I will say just as anecdotal feedback that at least for my G717 (PRO B650-P WIFI (MS-7D78) motherboard), the latest MSI BIOS 7D78v1F really did speed up what I assume is the memory syncing stuff that was causing some lengthier boot times (went from >60 seconds waiting for the OS to start loading to ~10 seconds). That one may be worth posting for folks in a PowerSpec / AMD configuration for a better experience?

On a side note, is there anywhere written out that has the default fan configuration used by PowerSpec? They seem much better than the MSI defaults, which seem to just have everything cranked full-speed all the time.

Thanks!

PowerSpec_MikeW

@johnkizer

I can check the BIOS and get a customized version as soon as I have some time. The new Ryzen processors and new microcode for the Intel platforms is keeping me busy right now. On that board for a 205 all we'd really change is a couple of things.

1. For fan noise, got HW Monitor. Find the SYS_FAN header that has a value and set it to PWM. Default is DC, which will run full speed.
2. Under secure boot you can set the mode to Maximum Security. Optional.

As for why it's faster, it's refinement to the memory training algorithms. MCR was in a rough spot at launch, we usually kept it off to train the memory on every boot and limit the chances of our customers having an issue, but it has improved dramatically on the Ryzen 7000 series. MCR is memory context restore. Basically instead of training, it just uses what worked last time, which is of course much faster. However if you're on the edge of stability and something changes either environmentally or hardware like capacitor aging it's possible for the system to become unstable. Much less of a problem with much more mature AGESA firmware.

Stunna2023

Still getting a lot of blue screens on my g714. Any fix for this?

PowerSpec_MikeW

Run Memtestx86: https://www.memtest86.com/

Just test 8 to start. Let me know what you see.

Stunna2023

MemTest86-Report-20241015-155035.zip

Please see the attached.

PowerSpec_MikeW

@Stunna2023 Looks like you need a new memory kit. Can you post a picture of the label on one of the sticks?

Stunna2023

Done

mmar56

I recently purchased a G910 system (x670E Pro Wifi motherboard) at Microcenter. I also purchased an Asus Thunderbolt4 EX card for the system. After adding the system in and updating the drivers the system recognizes the card, but I am not able to connect my Thunderbolt 4 NVME case because the system apparently doesn't allow PCIE tunneling.

This setting doesn't appear to exist in the current bios. I took the system in to Microcenter yesterday and asked them to update the Bios which they did. Still no luck finding the PCIE tunneling setting in the bios. Asus has recommended installing a sequential series of their bios updates (3035, 3042, 3057 and 3067). Apparently the 3067 bios installs the PCIE tunneling setting.

1. Is it necessary to install all of their bios updates as detailed instead of just installing the latest?
2. Is there an upcoming bios for this system from Powerspec that would include this setting? I would prefer to keep the Powerspec bios.

Thanks

PowerSpec_MikeW

@mmar56

1. You can just install the latest 3067 BIOS.
2. I sent a request to ASUS for a custom version. We have quite a bit going on right now, but if you'd like to be the first to try it out I'll make it available. My only concern is memory loading the XMP profile without issue, it's easy enough to fix but it may be a little bit before I can test myself. We have some custom VDDP adjustments in the stock BIOS to the default memory algorithm training.

mmar56

Hi MikeW,

Thanks, yes I would rather try your version and stick with the Microcenter bios.

Please let me know when it is available.

Thanks!

PowerSpec_MikeW

@mmar56

Here's our customized BIOS. Only tested basic functionality. Let me know if you have any issues, main concern would be if EXPO fails to train, but we can fix that.

mmar56

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the quick response. How will I know if EXPO fails to train?

mmar56

Hi Mike

I put the .CAP file on a FAT32 usb drive. The system is telling me that it is not a valid BIOS file.

PowerSpec_MikeW

I'll pull it down and test as soon as I have time. I'll let you know once it passes all testing. If you want to flash the 3067 ASUS BIOS, we can share defaults in the meantime.

mmar56

Thanks, if you think that it will be more than a week until you complete testing, I will try the 3067 bios.

Do bios files have to be renamed to be accepted by the motherboard when using ezflash 3?

PowerSpec_MikeW

@mmar56

No, you don't need to rename it. I'm hopeful I'll be able test tomorrow or Friday.

mmar56

Thanks, I'll wait to hear from you.

PowerSpec_MikeW

@mmar56

Starting it tomorrow. I got more samples pulled from storage today but didn't have time to test.

PowerSpec_MikeW

@mmar56

Flashed 3 with no issues. Likely a corrupt upload or download. I'm testing the RAM right now.

PRIME-X670E-PRO-WIFI-POWERSPEC-3067.zip

mmar56

@PowerSpec_MikeW

First attempt failed with the same error. (Invalid bios file).

This is the correct file for a G910?

I am formatting a new flash drive.

If I understand correctly I go to the ezflash utility from the advanced options, select the update bios, select the file on the flash drive and start the update?

mmar56

@PowerSpec_MikeW

Same result with a new flash drive.

Do I need to use the rollback option since my current bios is 9027 and I am trying to update to 3067?

PowerSpec_MikeW

@mmar56

You can try it, but I didn't have to. Should tell you it's an older BIOS, not give the error that it's an invalid file. I'll download the file and test tomorrow again.

mmar56

I was able to update the bios with the rollback option enabled. Still can't see the PCIE tunneling setting.

PowerSpec_MikeW

@mmar56

It should auto enable, I don't believe the setting is visible. Is DTBT setting enabled in the BIOS? I believe it's DTBT Controller 0? Also, which slot is the card installed in? Set the slot to Gen3 in the BIOS.