Gamer
Image: Asus
As Gamers Nexus detailed in a series of critical reviews, there have been some initial issues with Ryzen 7000X3D CPUs and AM5 motherboards catching fire. Not enough to force a total recall, but enough to prompt Asus and other manufacturers to issue software with tighter limits on overclocking.
The way Asus handled the situation infuriated many people, and following a video by Gamers Nexus dubbed “Scumbag Asus: Overvolting CPUs & & Screwing the Customer,” PC enthusiasts took the company to task. JayzTwoCents, a popular YouTuber, publicly severed ties with Asus after the GN article.
Now the company is trying to figure out what went wrong. Potential buyers should rest easy knowing that Asus covers any beta BIOS upgrades (needed to fix the underlying problems with burning chips) and user-accessible RAM overclocking settings (including Intel XMP and AMD Expo) under its AM5 motherboard service guarantee. The lengthy but thorough Gamers Nexus video up top dispels the myth that installing beta BIOS updates or activating RAM overclocking would invalidate your service warranty.
A recent update to Asus’s primary news page (revealed by PC Gamer) read as follows:
ASUS AM5 motherboard BIOS upgrades, whether beta or fully confirmed, are covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty. We’d also like to double-check the following details: The ASUS AM5 motherboard warranty extends to all memory modes, including AMD EXPO, Intel XMP, and DOCP. All recent BIOS upgrades for AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs adhere to the latest AMD voltage requirements.
If you are not attempting to flash custom firmware onto the motherboard (which must be quite challenging) or hack the BIOS/UEFI setup tool to access voltage settings beyond what is available to consumers, your guarantee remains in effect. That means if your expensive AM5 board catches fire, Asus will replace it (albeit not necessarily your processor).
Yes, if you have an Asus AM5 motherboard, and especially if you have a brand new 7000X3D CPU, you should install the newest patches as soon as possible.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer
Formerly a graphic artist, Michael now spends more time than he wants to admit building and tinkering with his home computer. He likes salsa verde, sports, science fiction, and folk music, albeit not necessarily in that order.