Recently, there have been instances of Ryzen 7000X3D CPU failures, which are likely due to excessive voltage supply to the CPU. Although not a widespread problem, some CPUs could be irreparably damaged.
To tackle this issue, AMD and its board partners have swiftly introduced a new BIOS update that restricts overvolting capabilities for Ryzen 7000X3D CPUs. Consequently, users will now only encounter undervolting options, as per recent reports. The affected area of the CPU pertains to its voltage, specifically the contact pins that are part of the VDDCR voltage rail responsible for powering the core. The reason these pins are more susceptible than others remains uncertain. It is plausible that the burnt pins are a consequence of the issue rather than the root cause. This concern may not be confined to user-optimized CPUs but could also impact systems utilizing EXPO (memory overclocking profiles) supported by the CPU series. Regrettably, such "tuning" is still deemed overclocking and may influence warranty claims.
In response to the situation, motherboard manufacturers have acted swiftly by either withdrawing affected BIOS versions or issuing new ones. MSI has created a dedicated Reddit post discussing the issue, but no issues with MSI boards have been reported thus far. AMD is currently examining the matter and might release an official statement soon. In the meantime, ASUS has proposed replacing both the CPU and motherboard for affected users. As long as other users rely solely on the most recent official BIOS, their systems should remain unaffected. Hopefully, this will be one of the final updates on this matter.
MSI is recommending users who want to maximize the performance of their X3D processors to activate the Enhanced Mode Boost option in the firmware. This feature optimizes the Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) settings without requiring manual voltage adjustments, allowing users to get the most out of their hardware. As the situation continues to evolve, we anticipate that more vendors and users will come forward with their own concerns. If you are currently using an MSI AM5 motherboard with a Ryzen 7000X3D processor, examining these new BIOS updates and promptly installing them closely would be prudent.
Below is what MSI just posted:
New AM5 series motherboard BIOS implement CPU voltage restrictions for 7000X3D Series CPUs
Recently, there have been reports of the 7000X3D series CPUs being damaged, which may have been caused by abnormal voltage issues. It's important to note that the 7000X3D series CPUs do not support manual voltage and frequency adjustments, but only support PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive) overclocking. In order to prevent over-voltage and reduce the risk of damage to the 7000X3D series CPUs, MSI has added some restrictions in both the AM5 series BIOS and the MSI Center.
The BIOS now only supports negative offset voltage settings, which can reduce the CPU voltage only. MSI Center also restricts any direct voltage and frequency adjustments, ensuring that the CPU won't be damaged due to over-voltage.
For those looking to enhance the performance of their 7000X3D CPUs, an option called Enhanced Mode Boost is offered in BIOS. This option optimizes the PBO settings, allowing the 7000X3D series CPUs to achieve better performance without any manual voltage adjustments.
BIOS with CPU voltage restrictions:
| New BIOS Versions | |
| MEG X670E Godlike | E7D68AMS.151 |
| MEG X670 Ace | E7D69AMS.181 |
| MPG X670E Carbon WIFI | E7D70AMS.171 |
| MAG X670E Tomahawk WIFI | E7E12AMS.131 |
| MPG B650 Carbon WIFI | E7D74AMS.151 |
| MPG B650 Edge WIFI | E7E10AMS.161 |
| MPG B650I Edge WIFI | E7D73AMS.131 |
| MAG B650 Tomahawk WIFI | E7D75AMS.161 |
| Pro B650-P WIFI | E7D78AMS.151 |
| Pro B650M-A WIFI | E7D77AMS.181 |
| Pro B650M-A | E7D77AMS.181 |
| Pro A620M-E | E7E28AMS.121 |
AMD and Board Partners Release BIOS Update to Limit Ryzen 7000X3D Core Voltage
