Problem with accessing BIOS on MSI Z790 device
Problem with accessing BIOS on MSI Z790 device
I hadn't used XTU before and was trying to find suitable unrealistic OC settings that wouldn't overload the system. After checking the stress tests, I noticed my CPU throttled during RAM or CPU stress tests lasting five minutes. I'm curious about why this happens. I have a Noctua NH-D15S air cooler.
Thanks for the idea. I’ll try it out. The main issue is I have to remove the GPU to reach the boot drive, which works for this step but becomes really annoying over time when accessing BIOS. Hopefully they’d include a button on the motherboard to guide me there.
The CPU throttles due to Intel’s major missteps in developing chips for the previous two generations. They operate excessively hot at elevated voltages. A modest undervolt of about 0.15V (actual results may vary) can stabilize temperatures. The frame quality is solid, cutting temperatures by roughly 7 degrees. For reference, on stock voltage I achieved an extra 400 MHz (5.1 to 5.5 GHz). Higher voltages increase heat but also boost stability at higher speeds; however, Intel and board makers seem to be pushing too hard. Just to illustrate, the stock voltage pushed me past 6.2 GHz per core, which often triggers CPU watchdog errors. Generally, only a modest overclock—like 6.5 GHz for all cores—will cause issues, but avoid going too low (e.g., 0.1V) as it risks damaging components. Need further guidance? I’m fairly good at overclocking. Edit: I omitted the auto-overclock advice—it’s risky when Intel is already overloading its chips with extra voltage.
Access UEFI BIOS via Windows after restart by using the built-in BIOS utility or manufacturer tools.
Thanks for the clear walkthrough, Arush! I attempted the OC method but didn’t get the expected result at first. After some adjustments—removing the GPU, lowering RAM and storage—I eventually accessed the BIOS. Then I switched off the fast boot, adjusted fan speeds to PWM, and restarted successfully, seeing the MSI green dragon during the process. Once I added another RAM stick and SSD, everything worked smoothly. I also installed a Linux-based SSD for dual-boot capability. When I connected the 3090 TI GPU, I noticed the MSI dragon disappeared and F11 no longer displayed boot options, but Windows booted normally instead. It looks like MSI isn’t sending the video signal through the discrete GPU.
It seems likely another screen will appear. Changing between HDMI and DP or the reverse is common. Numerous graphics cards handle this issue.
During installation of the GPU (3090 Ti), no video output appears until the operating system loads. This seems to be a recognized problem, and there exists a utility called "NVIDIA Graphics Firmware Update Tool for DisplayPort 1.3 and 1.4 Displays" that suggests an update might help. The tool indicates this specific fix isn't available for my GPU but could assist others. It's been several years since similar reports appeared, and a permanent solution remains elusive. If Nvidia can't resolve it, how challenging is it for manufacturers to add a graphics priority setting in the BIOS? For now, the temporary workaround I used was shutting down the PC, disconnecting the GPU power, connecting it via the internal GPU, restarting, and accessing the BIOS menu. It's frustrating, but at least it got me past the initial hurdle. Thanks for all the suggestions!