Gigabyte’s Latest BIOS Doesn’t Actually Fix SoC Voltage Issues On Its AM5 Motherboards

Ryzen 7000X3D series processors may be prone to abrupt failure due to the elevation of chip voltage to precarious levels. In response, numerous motherboard manufacturers have recently issued new BIOS versions, proffering provisional solutions in accordance with AMD’s advice, such as confining the SoC voltage within 1.3V, to maximize safety.

According to Wccftech, the issuance of new BIOS versions by motherboard manufacturers may not necessarily address the problem adequately, thus potentially engendering further complications. A previous beta version of BIOS from Asus drew controversy by arbitrarily modifying AGESA code, resulting in an uncertain limitation of SoC voltage, thereby elevating the risk of potential damage. This, compounded with disclaimers on its support page and a series of other actions, has sparked considerable debate.

For users seeking to ensure these new BIOS versions function as expected, it may be necessary to disable EXPO, and other potential limitations might engender compatibility issues. Indeed, Asus is not the only motherboard manufacturer implicated in misleading users; user tests of Gigabyte‘s X670E AORUS MASTER motherboard, even with a new BIOS version that purportedly limits voltage, revealed that enabling EXPO causes the SoC voltage to surge beyond 1.3V, reaching 1.361V.

Some users opine that these beta versions of BIOS from manufacturers do not absolutely limit SoC voltage to 1.3V, but mislead users into believing that updating the firmware ensures safety. In the event of issues, they may refuse warranty claims on the grounds of using beta BIOS. AMD also bears responsibility, given that EXPO is a key selling point of the AM5 platform, enticing users to purchase high-priced memory, only to leave them to bear the risk of potential PC damage when it is enabled.

Ultimately, these issues must await resolution through updated BIOS versions, which are expected to be released later this month.