AMD’s ongoing X3D chip disaster has one other wrinkle: AMD is now inserting extra guardrails on AMD Ryzen 7000 in addition to Ryzen 7000X3D processors, stopping them from being overclocked by way of a brand new BIOS replace.
If you happen to personal a Ryzen 7000 or Ryzen 7000XD processor and don’t overclock it, this tweak shouldn’t actually have an effect on you—although you’ll quickly be receiving a brand new BIOS replace anyway. If you happen to do overclock a type of chips, AMD’s follow-up shall be extra important. Particularly, AMD stated in a press release that the corporate is distributing a brand new AGESA revision that caps the SOC’s voltage at 1.3V, no matter whether or not the related PC reminiscence is being overclocked.
AMD touted its Ryzen 9 7950X3D because the “ultimate processor for gaming,” and our current evaluate of the 7950X3D chip proved that out—largely. Sadly, the chip misplaced out in a couple of exams to Intel’s rival Thirteenth-gen Core chips, which is typically the impetus to overclock it. Doing so, nevertheless, really burnt out a couple of of the chips. In response, MSI positioned better restrictions on overclocking the chips by way of a further BIOS replace. It seems that different motherboard makers will quickly comply with go well with.
AMD is issuing a brand new AGESA replace that primarily blocks the CPU from working past 1.3V, and is asking all of its motherboard companions to challenge new BIOS updates, too.
“We have root caused the issue and have already distributed a new AGESA that puts measures in place on certain power rails on AM5 motherboards to prevent the CPU from operating beyond its specification limits, including a cap on SOC voltage at 1.3V,” AMD stated. “None of these changes affect the ability of our Ryzen 7000 Series processors to overclock memory using EXPO or XMP kits or boost performance using PBO technology.”
“We expect all of our ODM partners to release new BIOS for their AM5 boards over the next few days,” the assertion continued. “We recommend all users check their motherboard manufacturers website and update their BIOS to ensure their system has the most up to date software for their processor. Anyone whose CPU may have been impacted by this issue should contact AMD customer support. Our customer service team is aware of the situation and prioritizing these cases.”
Overclocking the CPU and the reminiscence is difficult by the truth that each the reminiscence controller and the CPU reside in the identical package deal, which implies that rising the voltage of the reminiscence controller will increase the CPU voltage as properly. That got here into focus in 2021, when Intel started permitting reminiscence overclocking on locked CPUs. Each AMD and Intel adopted a kind of “don’t ask, don’t tell” coverage, although, tacitly permitting it even when their warranties don’t cowl it.
“AMD’s product warranty does not cover damages caused by overclocking, even when overclocking is enabled via AMD hardware and/or software,” AMD stated then. “This would include any form of memory overclocking.”
AMD’s newest assertion, after all, implies that AMD will cowl any prices attributable to overclocking—even when AMD is now clamping down on overclocking each the Ryzen 7000 and Ryzen 7000X3D processors.
However the message right here is obvious: If you happen to personal a Ryzen 7000 or 7000X3D chip, overclocking the CPU is a no-no till additional discover.
