Normally, bios updates are there to correct certain bugs, add new features or even improve performance. However, AGESA 1.2.0.3a deployed by AMD seems to do just the opposite. As a result, some users have been faced with an inoperable machine after updating their bios… These machines are notably made up of a Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
Ryzen 7 9800X3D: maybe wait a bit before updating your bios!
The AGESA 1.2.0.3a code was originally designed to improve the use of AMD Ryzen processors. This included improved CPU stability and performance, as well as better RAM support. In a second phase, it was also to pave the way for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D and offer an adjustment to the temperature control algorithm. In short, it was supposed to work well.
Unfortunately, some 9800X3D processor owners were unpleasantly surprised to find their system inoperative after updating. Via @9550pro on X, we learn that these owners have seen their motherboard’s Debug LED displaying 00 codes (which usually stinks), while the EZ Debug LED shows a CPU diode permanently displayed… Double the stink. And to make matters worse, even when switching back to an older version of the bios, the problem persists in some cases… Ouch.
For the moment, this only seems to concern users of motherboards from the ASRock or ASUS catalogs. However, we don’t yet know whether the problems are limited to these two brands, or whether they affect other manufacturers such as MSI or Gigabyte. In any case, AMD has not yet communicated anything on the subject. When in doubt, if you can afford it, we can only advise you to wait before taking the plunge!