Z390-F BIOS updates (1902, 1903, 2004) all causing POST failures due to memory speed

[ionised]

I've seen the other threads/posts explaining this issue, so this new thread is just to register that there is yet another user with the same issues.

Basically I've been on BIOS 1802 for nearly two years with 4x 8GB matched sticks of RAM and it has all been rock solid stable for that time. Parts are;

CPU: i5-9600k
Motherboard: ROG Strix Z390-F (currently on BIOS 1802)
RAM: 32GB (4x8GB) Team Group Vulcan T-Force 3000Mhz (16, 18 18, 38)

I upgraded to Windows 11 recently and checked for software updates for my Z390-F and saw that there had actually been a few in recent months, namely BIOS's 1902, 1903 and 2004. All of them claimed to add full Windows 11 support and Resize-BAR (yay!).

So I Load Optimized Default, flash BIOS 2004 with EZ Flash, then go about configuring up my BIOS settings. System won't POST.

I then flashed 1903, and then 1902. Same issue. I flash back to 1802, all fine.

After a bit of investigation it seems the BIOS from 1902 onwards don't like me setting my memory speed above 2400Mhz when using more than 2 RAM sticks. Using just two modules on BIOS 1902, 1903 and 2004 works fine at 3000Mhz, using four modules won't work on anything higher than 2400Mhz.

To summarise:

My RAM is 4 x 8GB DIMM. That's two matched sets of the same 2x8GB kit.

On BIOS 1902, 1903, 2004:

* Two modules (2x8GB) will work at rated speed.
* Four modules (4x8GB) will only work at 2400Mhz or under.

On BIOS 1802

* Four modules (4x8GB) will work at rated speed.


That's the issue. Any BIOS after 1802 will not POST with four RAM modules if frequency is set above 2400Mhz.

Every BIOS since 1902 has this problem.

[Billycar11]

I've seen the other threads/posts explaining this issue, so this new thread is just to register that there is yet another user with the same issues.

Basically I've been on BIOS 1802 for nearly two years with 4x 8GB matched sticks of RAM and it has all been rock solid stable for that time. Parts are;

CPU: i5-9600k
Motherboard: ROG Strix Z390-F (currently on BIOS 1802)
RAM: 32GB (4x8GB) Team Group Vulcan T-Force 3000Mhz (16, 18 18, 38)

That's the issue. Any BIOS after 1802 will not POST with four RAM modules if frequency is set above 2400Mhz.

Every BIOS since 1902 has this problem.

just wanted to say i am experiencing the same issue all the but on the z390-A prime same board family and bios.
i have not tried 2004 yet came to see it it still was an issue so i don't waste my time
my full specs are:

CPU: Intel i9 9900K 4.9 GHZ All Core

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master ML360R ARGB AIO

GPU: Asus Strix RTX 3080 Ti

MB: Asus Prime Z390-A

RAM: 32GB 3000MHZ Vengance RGB ‎CMR16GX4M2D3000C16 x2

Storage: Samsung 970 EVO+ 1TB, intel 660p 1TB, X2 Team CX2 1TB in Raid 0,X2 Samsung 860 QVO 1TB in Raid 0, Samsung 860 QVO 2TB, Seagate 4TB

PSU: Corsair RM1000i

Case: Cooler Master Cosmos C700M

[ionised]

just wanted to say i am experiencing the same issue all the but on the z390-A prime same board family and bios.
i have not tried 2004 yet came to see it it still was an issue so i don't waste my time
my full specs are:

CPU: Intel i9 9900K 4.9 GHZ All Core

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master ML360R ARGB AIO

GPU: Asus Strix RTX 3080 Ti

MB: Asus Prime Z390-A

RAM: 32GB 3000MHZ Vengance RGB ‎CMR16GX4M2D3000C16 x2

Storage: Samsung 970 EVO+ 1TB, intel 660p 1TB, X2 Team CX2 1TB in Raid 0,X2 Samsung 860 QVO 1TB in Raid 0, Samsung 860 QVO 2TB, Seagate 4TB

PSU: Corsair RM1000i

Case: Cooler Master Cosmos C700M

I've provided an Admin with a detailed report of the issue, along with my BIOS settings, and some photos of my RAM with specs.

Hopefully we'll hear something soon, as I really would like to take advantage of the Resize Bar support introduced in 1902 (I managed to snag a reasonably priced RTX 3080 recently!).

[Billycar11]

I've provided an Admin with a detailed report of the issue, along with my BIOS settings, and some photos of my RAM with specs.

Hopefully we'll hear something soon, as I really would like to take advantage of the Resize Bar support introduced in 1902 (I managed to snag a reasonably priced RTX 3080 recently!).

nice same i also want resizable bar for my 3080ti strix
i did also report this to JJ on the asus diypc facebook group right after i posted same problem as yours here

[howxcore]

I've seen the other threads/posts explaining this issue, so this new thread is just to register that there is yet another user with the same issues.

Basically I've been on BIOS 1802 for nearly two years with 4x 8GB matched sticks of RAM and it has all been rock solid stable for that time. Parts are;

CPU: i5-9600k
Motherboard: ROG Strix Z390-F (currently on BIOS 1802)
RAM: 32GB (4x8GB) Team Group Vulcan T-Force 3000Mhz (16, 18 18, 38)

I upgraded to Windows 11 recently and checked for software updates for my Z390-F and saw that there had actually been a few in recent months, namely BIOS's 1902, 1903 and 2004. All of them claimed to add full Windows 11 support and Resize-BAR (yay!).

So I Load Optimized Default, flash BIOS 2004 with EZ Flash, then go about configuring up my BIOS settings. System won't POST.

I then flashed 1903, and then 1902. Same issue. I flash back to 1802, all fine.

After a bit of investigation it seems the BIOS from 1902 onwards don't like me setting my memory speed above 2400Mhz when using more than 2 RAM sticks. Using just two modules on BIOS 1902, 1903 and 2004 works fine at 3000Mhz, using four modules won't work on anything higher than 2400Mhz.

To summarise:

My RAM is 4 x 8GB DIMM. That's two matched sets of the same 2x8GB kit.

On BIOS 1902, 1903, 2004:

* Two modules (2x8GB) will work at rated speed.
* Four modules (4x8GB) will only work at 2400Mhz or under.

On BIOS 1802

* Four modules (4x8GB) will work at rated speed.


That's the issue. Any BIOS after 1802 will not POST with four RAM modules if frequency is set above 2400Mhz.

Every BIOS since 1902 has this problem.

Hi Ionised, it'd be helpful to know what exact memory modules you are using and are they all matching parts.

[cuke2u]

I assume memtest has given these memory modules a thorough workout?

[Billycar11]

I assume memtest has given these memory modules a thorough workout?

i have done a prime 95 blend test that maxes out ram recently no errors after 10-12 hours did it over night
but on the new bios i cant even boot at xmp have to clear cmos and flash back if i want my xmp and overclock

[ionised]

I assume memtest has given these memory modules a thorough workout?

Yeah, 12 hours memtest stable and around 8 hours in OCCT (various tests) and Prime95.

[xeromist]

I know this would be a pain to test but if you are up for it I would make a note of all of the memory timings on the working BIOS (ideally including the secondary timings), then update to the newer bios and manually input all of the timings. It should be easy enough to do with the primary timings. You should be able to see those in the BIOS or with CPU-Z. Secondary timings may take a bit more work but if the only difference is in the secondarys then you'll need them too.

[ionised]

I know this would be a pain to test but if you are up for it I would make a note of all of the memory timings on the working BIOS (ideally including the secondary timings), then update to the newer bios and manually input all of the timings. It should be easy enough to do with the primary timings. You should be able to see those in the BIOS or with CPU-Z. Secondary timings may take a bit more work but if the only difference is in the secondarys then you'll need them too.

I did try significantly loosening the timings on my 4 x 8GB, 3000Mhz, 16-18-18-38 sticks using BIOS 2004 to no avail. It's specifically the memory frequency setting that is the problem. Setting anything above 2400Mhz when all four DIMM slots are in use causes instability and POST failure on any BIOS after 1802.

Sadly I got impatient and decided to just replace my 4 x 8GB 3000Mhz sticks with a set of 2 x 16GB 3200Mhz sticks. I can now use BIOS 2004 without issue at rated memory speed which just validates my original suspicions about the nature of the instability. If I were to add two more of the same sticks I'm certain the issue would happen again.

Like I said the instability on 1902, 1903 and 2004 was caused by filling all four DIMM slots and trying to use anything higher than 2400Mhz. On BIOS 1802 this problem didn't exist.