massively underperforming 13900k

[F10]

Hi,

please find bellow the specs for my graphic workstation :

CPU : 13900K

MB : asus rog Strix z690-i pro wifi latest BIOS

Ram : corsair DDR5 96gb 5600mhz

PSU : corsair 1000w

CPU cooler : EKWB 360mm AIO.

GPU : 4090 FE

My 13900K is massively underperforming and crashing. I've been using it in a graphic workstation using mainly Houdini sideFX and Unreal Engine. The CPU thermal throttle under load even with the 360 AIO. I've tested it on another motherboard and with a 280mm AIO with the same result.

It is highly unstable and I need to reduce the speed of the CPU to be able to work with it. I'm then loosing a lot of computing power which is very problematic with my usage.

Cinebench r23 scores used to be 38k and now it's between 30 and 32k without crashing.

I've tested with the intel standard settings in the Bios as well as the Asus standard settings. Only the lowest specs are stable which are far from what this CPU is advertised at.

I've done some testing in XTU as well. Screenshots attached.

Thanks a lot in advance for any help regarding solving this issue which stops me from using my workstation.

Best regards.

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello F10,

Thank you for posting in Intel Communities.

I'll check on this query and I will post an update once it's available.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel® Customer Support Technician

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello F10,

Good day to you.

To get a better understanding of the issue and be able to provide an effective recommendation, I would like to know more about your system details to fully understand where the issue truly lies.

Please confirm and share the following details below:

1) Is this is the actual system device that you have. ROG STRIX Z690-I GAMING WIFI.

2) Is this the actual cooling system that is used for this PC setup? EK-AIO 360 D-RGB – EK

3) Aside from Houdini sideFX and Unreal Engine, are there any other applications with high CU usage that behaves the same way?

4) Can you share the exact specifications link for the 280mm AIO that you used for the testing?

Additionally, we highly appreciate you sharing your system configuration so we can fully check and provide you with an accurate fix. This could be possible by downloading Intel® System Support Utility for Windows* software. When the download is complete, launch SSU.exe.

1. Scan: Check the box Everything.
2. Click Scan.
3. Review: When finished scanning, click Next.
4. Click Save.

I will wait for your reply.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[F10]

Dear Jeannette,

Thanks to take the time to address my post,
Please find bellow answers to your questions :
Correct this is my mainboard : Rog Strix Z690-i Gaming Wifi
This is the correct 360 AIO, but I have the non RGB version. It is setup with 6 noctua fans and push and pull configuration sucking air from the top of the case.
I tested this system with the 280 AIO : https://nzxt.com/en-BE/product/kraken-x63
my case is https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/cases/prime/asus-prime-ap201-microatx-case/ with plenty of airflow.

I also use this workstation for 3D renders (Redshift3D, Karma) but these are more GPU intensive
Exporting images sequences with adobe AE and Premiere Pro.

The most demanding CPU task is simulations calculation in Houdini which is heavily relying on mutli-threading.

Please find attached the result of SSU.

The one thing I can think which has changed since I installed this machine back in 2022 is that my OS was windows 10, but if I'm not mistaken the 13900K is design to work better with windows 11 as it is making good use of P-cores and E-cores...

As an example, I did a Houdini Simulation in 2022, I had a 3mn03sc render time with w10 and the 280mm AIO, with the actual system, I'm getting 3mn23sc render time with the 260 AIO and win11.

Thanks again for your help.

Florian

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello F10,

I hope you had a great weekend.

I appreciate your continued cooperation in continuously sharing the details we needed for further checking. As for the SSU log file, it shows that the current BIOS firmware is version 3603. ASUS already released new firmware for this specific system board, so I highly recommend contacting your motherboard manufacturer support team, to assist you with this critical update (BIOS 3701), as it has the updated with microcode 0x125 to ensure eTVB operates within Intel specifications.

While with their support team, you may check and clarify with the team if the following parameters are set as per Intel's preferred settings:

• Enable: CEP (Current Excursion Protection)
• Enable: eTVB (Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost)
• Enable: TVB (Thermal Velocity Boost)
• Enable: TVB Voltage Optimizations
• Disable: ICCMAX Unlimited Bit
• Set TjMAX Offset to 0
• Enable: C-states
• ICCMAX = 249A/307A (never exceed 400A)
• ICCMAX_App = 245A
• Power Limits (PL's)
• PL1 = 253W (recommended for best performance)
• PL2 = 253W

I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[Totaledm]

It seems, gigabyte b760 aorus elite ax ddr5 works very good with 13th gen 13600k without any issues.

If this issue cant be fixed, as pc builder i recommend change to gigabyte motherboard.

[F10]

Thanks for the suggestion Totaldm, I did try this processor with a B760m Asus tuf gaming plus wifi II without any luck,

I'll keep in mind the aorus elite AX, my case only allows m-ATX or ITX though.

Best regards.

[F10]

Hi Jeanette,

Thanks a lot for the suggestion - I will update and report with the result. I hope this will solve the problem.

Best Regards,

Florian

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello F10,

I'll take note of this and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello F10,

I'm following up on this, so I would be able to provide our next steps if still needed.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[F10]

Thanks for the follow up Jeanette. I'll be able to check the bios update after the 15th of August. I'll let you know as soon as I have the results.

Best regards.

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello F10,

Good day to you.

I'm taking note of this. Since we will be releasing a new microcode update by Mid-August, we'll give it time and will wait for your update by then

I hope to hear from you soon.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[NormanS_Intel]

Hello F10,

Could you please confirm if you have updated the BIOS to the latest version? If so, kindly let us know the outcome. Additionally, please inform me of your earliest convenience so that we can determine the best course of action to resolve this matter.

Best regards,

Norman S.

Intel Customer Support Engineer

[F10]

Dear Norman,

Thanks for the follow up on this.

I've just updated to the latest BIOS from Asus : ROG STRIX Z690-I GAMING WIFI BIOS 3802 .

I believe this includes your microcode.

I'm still getting lower than expected result in Cinebench (around 34K). The standard BIOS setting get the CPU to run really hot, above 100C. Using the Asus BIOS settings, I'm getting similar result around the 90c. Please find screen shots bellow.

As you can see, the CPU is running at 4.7Ghz and 3.7Ghz instead of the 5.5Ghz and 4.3Ghz I should get from this chip.

I'll try setting up the BIOS as per the recommendation higher up in this thread.

I do have a RMA setup with the retailer allready.

Let me know what you think.

Best regards,

Florian

[F10]

Dear Norman,

I've tested a bit further the CPU, with any other Bios settings than the intels I'm getting a BSOD. The standard BIOS setting still push the heat above the 100c unless I set the 90c limit. which get the Cinebench score to 31K. I can't get more out of this CPU,

I've spent enough time trying to work this out, I'll send it for RMA and hopefully your technical team will have more luck than me.

Best regards.

Florian

[JeanetteC_Intel]

Hello F10,

I'll take note of this. Please check your email for the next steps.

Best regards,

JeanetteC.

Intel® Customer Support Technician