Whoops? The latest AGESA ComboAM5PI 1.0.0.4 firmware from AMD is more problematic than helpful. The firmware reportedly disables some cores on the Ryzen 5 7600X, prompting several motherboard vendors to remove the update from their websites.

One of the best CPUs, the Ryzen 5 7600X, is not universally affected by faulty firmware. All but the samples using a single-CCD design are unaffected. Despite the Ryzen 5 7600X's Hexa-core, 12-thread design, a single CCD is sufficient. However, two CCDs are hidden away in the chassis of some Ryzen 5 7600X processors. So, you can't magically get more cores because AMD fused off the extra CCD.

To achieve this silicon production maximization goal, chipmakers like AMD, Intel, and Nvidia routinely repurpose dies that aren't quite up to snuff for certain models into their budget offerings. So, the Ryzen 5 7600X has two CCDs. The same approach was used by AMD with the original Ryzen 7 5800X and Ryzen 5 5600X. The AGESA ComboAM5PI 1.0.0.4 firmware appears to be unable to differentiate between single-CCD and dual-CCD samples of the Ryzen 5 7600X. It's possible it misidentifies the CCD and shuts down a processor core as a result. .

Both MSI and ASRock have taken the firmware downloads for their X670 and B650 motherboards down from their respective product pages. However, the firmware is still available for download on some of Gigabyte's 600-series motherboard support pages, though you should stay far away from it.

When using the Ryzen 5 7600X, if you have upgraded the firmware on your motherboard and noticed a significant drop in performance after the upgrade, you should revert to the previous firmware. There will be a firmware update coming in the next few weeks that will implement the necessary fix.

AMD AGESA Firmware Inadvertently Disables Cores On Some Ryzen 5 7600X CPUs