Latest MSI z370 Sli plus Bios is BAD

urbancamper

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I am putting this here because MSI seems to be ignoring me. Several z370 boards latest bios are increasing the vcore way over what they are set at. I did post in the MSI forums and managed to talk to someone there that did not take me seriously.

This is what I originally posted on the MSI forums: So I put the new bios in this morning after clearing my 5.0ghz overclock and resetting to default bios profile. I then proceeded to, as I said install the new one. It installed with no problem. I put my 5.0ghz settings back in. Then I rebooted. It booted up just fine. I opened up cpuid to check the voltages and temps. To my horror, instead of the vcore being at 1.325v as it should be, it was at 1.44v. Obviously this is way too high. Not only that but while the overclock cycled down with less use, the vcore stayed at 1.44v.

I have been running stable on version 7B46vA2 since I installed it. I have no idea if the new bios runs stable. All I know is when you set it at 1.325 it should stay there and throttle down with less use. 7B46vA3 could cause you problems. Beware!!!

Oh ya, I reinstalled the older bios. The OC is back to normal. I just hope the few minutes spent at 1.44v didn't damage my cpu. https://valid.x86.fr/llddmv

This is the entire post that proves it did not only happen to me but to others on different MSI z370 versions also: https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=301987.0

This is a simple overclock just using the multiplier. First pic is bios 7B46vA2. Second is vA3. Notice the difference in the vcore.
cIiu3DX.png
pxDHTFW.png

This problem could fry a persons cpu. I strongly recommend not upgrading the bios to the latest one on any z370mb. Even though it says it will fix security issues.
 

Zerk2012

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So your using a program to check the voltage not really that dependable.

Check the voltage under load with a volt meter and report back.
Their were a problem with the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 that the BIOS and CPUID showed the voltage you set (1.3 area) but if you checked the voltage at the board it was over 1.4.
It can be wrong either way but the volt meter shows the real voltage.

Basic rule that nobody can get their mind set to.
If it's not broke don't fix it. Unless your having a specific problem that a BIOS update addresses then DO NOT UPDATE THE BIOS more can go wrong than right.
 

urbancamper

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Lets see....checked with cpuid, saw it in core temp, and am showing proof of the difference in the bios. Not to mention people in the MSI forums are reporting the same thing on the latest bios with various motherboards. I think that is proof enough.

Of course if you want to spend some money and buy me a volt meter. Otherwise you can .... Cause while I am trying to protect peoples' cpus, your not being any help at all.

You can preach all you want. Fact remains this bios update was supposed to:

- Update RST 16.0
- Improve memory compatibility.
- Improve USB mouse compatibility.
- Update Intel Micro code for security vulnerabilities

Some of that sounds important to do.
 

Zerk2012

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All I am saying is the only true way to check the voltage is with a volt meter at the board.

None of that is important on the updates unless you were having problems already.

Update Intel Micro code for security vulnerabilities
This has been around for years and I don't know of a single persion that has had a problem.
The update is available for my board and no I'm not updating it.
 

urbancamper

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You are trying to project your view on a post that has nothing to do with you. Get back to me when you get an MSI z370 motherboard. As I said before I am trying to help people and your replies have nothing to do with it. I will probably get in trouble for saying this but...take your ego someplace else please.
 

Zerk2012

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I don't buy, use, or recomend MSI boards.
From your picks you have the voltage set to auto?
Their nothing to protect just a simple fact if you have not used a volt meter then nothing you posted matters just like the Z77 board I used as a example all the software voltage reading was wrong.
 

urbancamper

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The point of those pics, since you seem unable to understand, is to show the voltage disparity between the 2 bios vcore. Regardless of the lack of owning a voltage meter, it is obvious, unless it is to you, that there is something wrong with the latest bios for some of the MSI z370 motherboards.

Furthermore, attacking the manufacturer just to show the amount of enlightenment you wish for others to perceive in you, only shows your ignorance. If you really need a forum where you are right all the time, maybe you should create one where only your voice is heard.

 

urbancamper

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Here is an update to my original post. MSI has released a beta bios for the z370 SLI Plus mb. 7B46vA41(Beta version) fixes the problem with the vcore being much higher then where you have set it on Version 7B46vA3.

Ok maybe that is confusing. Version A1 was ok, version A2 was good, version A3 is flawed, and the new bios beta version A4 is very good. Also it seems that, at least in my case, you can use a slight amount less voltage on some overclocks. Oh also the new beta bios supposedly also fixes spectre.

Here is 5.0 on version 2 https://valid.x86.fr/llddmv
Here is 5.0 on version 4 beta https://valid.x86.fr/l27hh7 Notice it says spectre patched.


 

sean8102

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Jun 23, 2016
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This BIOS bug was very legit, had nothing to do with software measurements being wrong. my 8700K OC with voltage set to fixed 1.25v at 4.8Ghz all cores and it ran great and temps were really good. Installed that bugged BIOS because I was quite sure it included spectere / meltdown security fixes (it dose) and my vcore went to 1.5v! Despite going back into BIOS and re checking settings, clearing cmos and putting back 1.25v fixed voltage it would still run at 1.5v. I was hitting 90c easily (on a h100i v2) which caused thermal throttling! Scared the crap outta me at first lol.

But I emailed MSI and a day later they sent me a newer fixed BIOS (7B46vA41) about two weeks before it was posted on their site and its been rock solid for me since then.