[VSKYLABS Newsletter] issued 14th Aug 2024
Hello VSKYLABS Pilots!
This is an unusual topic, but since flight simulation involves *hardware* operations and setups, it may be relevant/useful for you!
Disclaimer:
The following information is brought here 'as is', and for information purpose only. VSKYLABS is not responsible for any damage or other consequences regarding any further use of the following information. Any action done in your PC is solely under your discretion and responsibility. If you don't know what you are doing, don't hassle with your bios settings without professional assistance.
OK here we go! Will start with the IMPORTANT information:
One of the main VSKYLABS development PC's was recently replaced with a brand new system, with the following core components:
- Asus Z790 Gaming Plus WIFI mother board.
- Intel i9 14900ks processor.
- RTX 3080Ti
After 24 hours, system got unstable, sometimes could not even complete the booting process, with unexpected freezes every few minutes, under load or just while idling.
After an on-going hassle which took place for about a month, the following actions brought the system to become fully stable:
- We updated the bios with Intel's latest 0x129 microcode which was released last week (bios 1662 for the given Asus motherboard).
- We set the bios with Intel's recommended power settings for the i9 14900ks, found here: June 2024 Guidance regarding Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen K/KF/KS instability reports
- With regards to #2 above, it was set with the 'Performance' limits, not with the 'Extreme' limits (ICC MAX = 307A, PL1,PL2 = 253W).
- In the Bios settings, CPU Core Voltage Override was set to manual, 1.350V.
Following this, system seems to be fully stable, working in good and lower temps under load, completed thorough and prolonged stress and stability testings in Prime95 and multiple benchmarks in Cinebench with good scores. End of suffering???
Additional important information:
In the initial ~24 hours of operation of the NEW system (before any action was taken), all worked fine, however, CPU temps were running high under any light to moderate load (exceeding 100 degrees C, easily).
After the 1st ~24 hours of operation, PC suddenly froze, with the last 0.5 seconds of sound which was 'playing' at that moment, looping endlessly. Hard power-off and reset was required. The issue of freezing and hard-power off got worse and within a couple of hours, PC was total UNSTABLE and UNUSABLE.
As an immediate precaution, the CPU was set with Turbo disabled, bringing the P cores down to 3200 Mhz and the E cores down to 2400 Mhz (P cores ratios to 32, E cores ratios to 24).
The PC seemed to be stable, but hey...running an i9 14900ks at 3200/2400 Mhz is far from being acceptable...
Interestingly, with the Turbo mode being disabled, when performed high CPU-ONLY load tasks at base non-turbo 3200/2400 Mhz (say a prolonged 7-zip compression using all cores), CPU temps exceeded ~75 deg C.
Then, when performed a combined CPU/GPU load (running X-Plane, which doesn't use all cores), temps exceeded ~90-95 deg C, easily.
Updating to 0X125 microcode and following Intel's official recommended power settings as described above, did not assist; any operation with turbo enabled or above core ratio of 40 for the P and 24 for the E resulted with CPU freezes under load or just in idle.
Setting the bios as described up in this newsletter; updating to 0x129 microcode (Bios 1662 for Asus z790 Gaming plus WIFI + setting the power limits as described above + manually limiting the CPU Core Voltage Override to 1.350V....seems to hit the nail!
- Working temps on idle got lower by ~10-15 deg c (~30-40 deg c peaking ~45 deg c).
- Working temps when running X-Plane 12 at max settings got lower by ~10-15 deg c as well (now at ~60-70 deg c in average, peaking ~85c).
- Temps under heavy stress (benchmarks and synthetic stress runs) never exceeding 95 deg C.
*Room temp at the 'labs is usually around 25 deg c.
Additional insights:
- We believe that the fact that the CPU was immediately restricted to non-turbo mode, prevented permanent damage to the CPU, or heavily reduced the chances for damage, as the CPU is now passing prolonged heavy load stress testing without issues. CPU damage and degradation may still be a risk-factor or a given fact, as there is no way to know precisely what went within in those initial 24 hours, when it worked 'unleashed' though under low stress (mainly due to the installation process of the new development rig, so no benchmarks, only several times running X-Plane and other relevant software while preparing the system to its destiny).
- Intel approved an RMA for the given CPU about two weeks ago, after we 'gave up' on the CPU, while trying to work this out for so long, including with the 0x125 microcode which was released for the motherboard and did not assist. The installation of 0x129 microcode was made with 'low motivation' and with low expectations, and indeed after the initial reboot with the default settings, CPU was not stable(!) and unusable (!!).
- Only after going manually and setting the power restrictions as described above in the opening, it worked like magic. The most significant visible difference was the reduced in working temperatures of ~10-15 deg c, besides the stability.
- Intel provides guarantee for the 13th and 14th gen CPU. At the present, this specific CPU remains 'operational' here at VSKYLABS, as it performs as expected and without issues. This will be the case until or if it will show signs of degradation. If not, then, it seems that this fiasco is over!
- Reminder - Goal is not overclocking or exceeding more points in a benchmark. Goal is to have a 100% stable working station with the i9 14900ks installed, within its default/stock operation and limitations. It seems that this goal was achieved.
Hopefully this information is helpful to some.
VSKYLABS does not aim for providing PC/CPU/BIOS support. For professional support please contact your PC retailer, Intel, or other professional assistance.
Fly safe and stay tuned!
VSKYLABS