The BIOS update might be affecting XMP functionality, leading to errors.
The BIOS update might be affecting XMP functionality, leading to errors.
The setup was created in late 2019 and functioned properly until roughly two months ago when the GTX 770 began experiencing serious problems, signaling a failing GPU. I tried various tests, maintenance steps, and updates, but nothing resolved the issue. The GPU was temporarily swapped out with a GT 720. After that, the system would randomly crash into Bluescreening during boot, sometimes working and other times failing entirely. After extensive testing over weeks, I suspect I’ve identified the cause. During troubleshooting with the GTX 770 (version F36f), the motherboard’s BIOS was updated. This version is linked to XMP functionality, which appears to be the problem. If XMP is enabled—whether with one or both RAM modules—the chances of the RAM failing completely are around 50% to 75%, often resulting in thousands of errors during testing. However, when XMP is disabled, everything works perfectly. Switching to the secondary BIOS (still version F4) resolved the issue consistently, whether single or dual RAM sticks are used. Given that more than a dozen BIOS updates have been released since F4, including security fixes and support for newer CPUs, sticking with the older version isn’t viable. The motherboard is hardware revision 1.0, but there have been updates to version 1.1 and 1.2; I’m unsure of the changes. Could someone explain why updating the BIOS might now be affecting RAM compatibility with XMP? Others who’ve faced similar problems would appreciate the insight.
Cyber Akuma isn't unusual, especially with PCIe devices. I've noticed BIOS updates removing support for specific hardware to accommodate others. This is typical with older chipset BIOS such as AMD A320s. RAM issues seem unlikely, though it's not impossible. It might also relate to an OEM Dell video card interfering. Dell is known for unique, proprietary components that could clash with the BIOS update. I'm still guessing, but I checked the board's QVL and your RAM (F4-3200C16D-32GTZKW) isn't listed, which could be the cause. I've experienced headaches for four months with a new 5900X build, possibly due to RAM not on the QVL. Updated August 21, 2022 by An0maly_76 Added: Verified the board's QVL and confirmed your RAM isn't included.
Accessing BIOS versions 1 or 2 might trigger an issue, possibly due to a bug in that particular BIOS.
Yeah, that's the next thing I was going to try now, assuming that the board does not prevent me from downgrading for some reason. I just wanted to get advice on if anyone had any insights on anything I should try before doing that.
Ok, so after days of testing the RAM with XMP on and off through multiple reboots and shutdowns and switching between BIOS 1 that had firmware F36f and BIOS 2 that has F4, it's without a doubt something in the BIOS that broke XMP. These are all the BIOS versions currently available for this board: https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/X57...rt-dl-bios I tried downgrading to F35... same issue, then down to F32 since that used AGESA 1.1.0.0 as I was told that apparently Gigabyte boards didn't play nice with Zen 2 and XMP on AGESA version 1.2.0.1 or higher. It worked, but just to test that theory, I upgraded to F33 which uses AGESA 1.2.0.2... and it still worked. F34 and that still worked too. So definitely not AGESA's fault. F35 is a pretty major update with several changes, it mentions: So I am thinking it was very likely one of those several changes that broke XMP... shame that this also makes it pretty much impossible to pin-point what specifically caused it, and since it's not said AGESA on Zen 2 issue, this makes me wonder if the eventual upgrade to a 5700X will even fix this issue for future firmware upgrades or not. (It also makes me worry about applying update F21 on my own Z490 Aorus Pro AX board, since that's the latest update from about a year ago... so they are likely never updating this board again, and it mentions "Customers will NOT be able to reverse to previous BIOS version due to major vulnerabilities concerns" and this board does NOT have a dual-BIOS so if this update breaks my Z490 board I am pretty screwed....)