Asus MCE vs Intel default Profile mode

[SmartOne_2000]

Does using the Asus MCE mode (not Intel profile mode) in mode disable the 0x12B microcode fixes? Notably the 1.55v core request voltage limit?

[pressed_for_time]

The Asus MCE mode does not interfere with CPU microcode so does not affect 0x12B . What MCE does is to attempt to run all cores at the Max Turbo Frequency. To do this it will apply power limits, voltage limits and other settings that are outside the Intel default settings.

[SmartOne_2000]

Thanks ... so these voltage limits could exceed the 1.55v max spec that Intel defined in the microcode?

[pressed_for_time · Accepted solution]

Before the current series of microcode updates were introduced MCE could set voltage levels that lead to CPU heating and instability issues. Now the MCE voltage settings are restrained by the microcode limits. This means that MCE, while outside the recommended default settings, is probably less likely to cause the problems seen previously.

[SmartOne_2000]

Thanks ... good to know the microcode voltage limits will not be violated in MCE mode. So, besides changing power levels, voltage levels (capped by the microcode) and running at all-core Max Turbo frequencies, what else does MCE do?

[pressed_for_time]

That's about it. MCE was intended for non-K intel processors, those with locked maximum turbo frequencies. So the plan was if the frequency could not be increased then at least run all cores at maximum speed all the time when the CPU was in high load scenarios. On some Asus B660/760 boards MCE was given another name, Asus Performance Enhancement or APE. Some Asus B boards featured APE where it could be enabled/disabled and some where it was a hidden but enabled by default setting. It could extract a bit more gaming performance out of processors like the 12400. But if a K processor such as a 13700K was installed on a B board the resulting CPU temps with the early BIOS releases could be unexpected to say the least. This has now been corrected with the latest microcode, BIOS and driver updates.

[SmartOne_2000]

Hey ... thank you so very much for making the time to answer my newbie questions. My knowledge surely increased and will apply it to my 14900k cpu on an Asus z690 tuf gaming mobo. Thanks again and God truly bless!