ASRock Addresses Ryzen CPU Failures: BIOS Update Fixes PBO Settings, Promises Support
ASRock has officially acknowledged that faulty BIOS settings on their motherboards were causing Ryzen 9000 series CPUs to fail. This confirmation comes after weeks of reports and speculation surrounding the issue, specifically impacting users with ASRock motherboards paired with AMD's high-performance Ryzen chips.
In a discussion with Gamers Nexus, ASRock's VP of motherboards, Chris Lee, confirmed that BIOS version 3.25 contains re-tuned Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) settings for Electric Design Current (EDC), Thermal Design Current (TDC), and shadow voltages. These settings were previously too aggressive, leading to the CPUs overheating and potentially failing.
The problem initially surfaced with reports of burned-out AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPUs on ASRock boards. While ASRock initially downplayed the issue, claiming memory compatibility problems as the primary cause, it became clear that PBO settings were a significant factor. The company now states that AMD chips were not inherently faulty, and the problem stemmed from ASRock's BIOS configurations.
Key takeaways from ASRock's statements:
- Responsibility: ASRock takes full responsibility for the issue.
- BIOS Update 3.25: This update is crucial and should be installed immediately by all ASRock AM5 motherboard users.
- RMA Support: ASRock will cover shipping costs (both ways) for users needing to RMA their motherboards due to this issue. They haven't seen any damaged motherboards however.
- CPU Returns: If a customer RMAs their motherboard *with* the faulty CPU, ASRock will return the CPU to the retailer it came from. They don't recommend this process, but want to clarify that that is what will happen.
- Factory BIOS: New AM5 ASRock motherboards might *not* have BIOS 3.25 preinstalled. Users need to verify the version before using the board.
Despite the acknowledgment and the BIOS fix, some users are still reporting issues even after updating to version 3.25. Reports on Reddit suggest that some Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPUs have failed *after* the BIOS update, indicating that the problem might not be entirely resolved. ASRock recommends users check if BIOS version 3.25 is installed on brand-new AM5 ASRock motherboards.
What should you do?
If you own an ASRock motherboard with a Ryzen 9000 series CPU, the immediate action is to update your BIOS to version 3.25 or later. You can find the latest BIOS version for your specific motherboard model on the ASRock website. If you are still experiencing problems after updating, contact ASRock support for further assistance.
This incident highlights the importance of properly configured BIOS settings for optimal CPU performance and longevity. While ASRock is taking steps to rectify the situation, the long-term impact on customer trust remains to be seen.
Are you experiencing similar issues with your ASRock motherboard and Ryzen CPU? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
