Asus ROG Maximus VII Impact

v0qES8p.jpg


I just love incredibly vague changelogs.. 5 out of the 9 BIOS updates for my ASUS board were stability updates (same shit with my PS4 and my phone) :D
 
It's basically saying: "fixed some shameful bugs that shouldn't have been introduced with that latest update we released without proper testing."

Otherwise, why be purposefully vague about firmware updates ?

Example how this goes in the enterprise world:

BIOS update for an HP DL380 G7 server:

Problems Fixed:
Addressed a processor issue under which a rare and complex sequence of internal processor microarchitecture events that occur in specific operating environments could cause a server system to experience unexpected page faults, general protection faults, or machine check exceptions or other unpredictable system behavior. While all processors supported by this server have this issue, to be affected by this issue the server must be operating in a virtualized environment, have Intel Hyperthreading enabled, have a hypervisor that enables Intel VT FlexPriority and Extended Page Tables, and have a guest OS utilizing 32-bit PAE Paging Mode. This issue is not unique to HP ProLiant servers and could impact any system utilizing affected processors operating with the conditions listed above. This revision of the System ROM contains an updated version of Intel's microcode that addresses this issue. Due to the potential severity of the issue addressed in this revision of the System ROM, this System ROM upgrade is considered a critical fix.

Addressed an issue with the Intel Xeon Processor X5675, Intel Xeon Processor X5690, and Intel Xeon Processor X5687 where a rare and complex combination of data and environmental conditions may result in some instructions not executing properly causing unpredictable system behavior. This issue is not unique to HP ProLiant servers and could impact any system using the affected processors listed above. This revision of the System ROM contains and updated version of Intel's microcode that addresses this issue. This System ROM upgrade is considered a critical fix for customers utilizing the affected processors. This issue does not impact any processors that are not listed above.

Addressed an issue where the platform may experience networking issues under heavy workloads with Operating Systems, such as Linux RedHat 6.2, and IRQ Balancing enabled in the Operating System. As a result of this issue, software may lose interrupts, receive spurious interrupts or cause a network disconnect.
Click to expand...

Consumer gets two words, enterprise gets a complete analysis with symptomes, causes and fixes.
If I wanted purposefully vague, I'd get the cheapest board around, not the most expensive one.
 
As much as I'd like an extensive changelog like the one you posted above, I'd probably be quite content with just a short description of the included fixes. MSI seems to have a happy medium here..

http://us.msi.com/support/mb/Z97I-GAMING-AC.html#down-bios

Most consumers probably don't need an incredible amount of detail, but "- changed some shit" isn't the least bit useful for the type of users that are actually bothering to upgrade their BIOS, and are instead playing guessing games as to whether or not a vaguely described update will be a fix for a particular issue they may be having.

(also wanted to add, I'm not knocking that you posted the update at all, I do appreciate that.. just ranting a little :))
 
Yeah I agree. While the example I gave was the obvious other end of the spectrum, it's frustrating that BIOS updates are shrouded in secrecy and vagueness. It's sad when the people that actively update their BIOS are just considered clueless.
 
One of the brackets on my SupremeFX audio daughterboard broke off, because the screws are extremely tight. (Still have not been able to get them off.) Anyone have any idea where I can get a replacement?

And tips to get those darn screws off are appreciated. :mad:
 
Many people have had the issue, including me:

Phuncz said:
JGUqyYa.png

Yeah this is one of the more sexy parts of the motherboard ! Mind those screws though !! Mine were wound so tightly that unscrewing meant applying so much force that it would bend the metal brackets it was screwed in !! I choose to remove the screws from the back of the PCB, so I could use needle-nose pliers on the small brackets without bending them too much. Before you screw this daughterboard on the motherboard, I recommend you attach the mPCIe Combo card first and route the antenna cables under the sound-card daughterboard. Otherwise you'll need to route it over the card.
Click to expand...
 
iNewbcake said:
I tried that, argh. Lets see how well it stays in placewithout screws.
Click to expand...

I had same issue with one of those stupid screw, i ended up heating it and removing the screw with two pliers since i worried i would strip the screw lol was such a bitch!
 
Same challenge. Bent them out of shape, and repaired them with pliers in the end. Poor design choice for certain. The screws should have come separate, or at least not screwed in as tight.
 
I've worked with several boards that had these add in cards. None of them had the screws in too tight to easily remove. Most of the time the screws weren't even in the brackets. Also, I've told ASUS that the "improved system stability" as a note for each BIOS update was weaksauce.
 
Thanks for helping out your fellow man ! The issue with the soundcard bracket screws has been there since launch and they are wound extremely tight. It must probably be done mechanically and needs a lower torque setting or with an automatic screwdriver set too powerful.

Also, the latest two BIOS images have disappeared and I've seen a new 2501 for the Maximus VII Gene:
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/MAXIMUS_VII_GENE/HelpDesk_Download/
Another nice and basic "Improve system stability".
 
Well, considering that default thermal and power limits are still not properly set according to Intel spec even in latest BIOS they released, I am not surprised.
I have read several places that Z97 boards were rushed to the marked, which caused some motherboard manufacturers to have to take shortcuts.

With my stock cooler and default BIOS setup, core temp reached 117C peak with OCCT on my i74790K.
I have now set max. power and current manually closer to Intel specification, to prevent overheating my CPU even when running Prime95 (2.66 without AVX), it then reached ~82C. (read from Intel XTU)
I have think I have a seriously lousy example of a CPU, which gets too hot for the stock cooler when stress testing, even in open air. So I have also undervolted to 1.1V @ 4x4.2GHz boost it to stay below 75C even with my old Samuel 17 with slipstream 120 slim running at 1600rpm, with a two Corsair SP-120 quiet on full tilt blowing into the open case.
It won't be up to scratch in M1 with fan filters, where temps will be even higher
I see another RMA in my future.
Not sure if I need to get a more substantial cooler to prove my point to the retailer first.
Otherwise I will delid it, like I did my 3770S.

Intel has gone downhill on QC ever since Sandy Bridge. Ivy Bridge was bad,
and Haswell not much better, and Devils Canyon seems like a lottery.
 
Z97 was rushed which probably didn't actually effect the hardware at all but rather forced companies to push those products out the door without as much time for BIOS and firmware tuning as they would have liked.
 
Considering the M7I became available around September, I don't think this is an issue for this board.
 
pheuno said:
Why such a hurry to update bios? I havent found any problems with bios 2102.
Click to expand...

Was building a new system and just wanted to get the BIOS up to date -even though the motherboard arrived a week ago it had the original BIOS.
 
Did anyone try the "BIOS updater for 5th Gen Intel Core Processors", under BIOS utilities?

It states the following:
Before using the 5th Gen Intel Core processors, we suggest
that you use USB BIOS Flashback or download this BIOS updater
to update the BIOS

I would have tested it myself, but my 4790K is now sent back for RMA.
 
5th gen update not needed, unless you got your hands on an i7-5775C?
 
I just had an idea they were linked to the latest BIOS, since it contains the new 5th gen BIOS code, and some people seems to have problems flashing it normally.
 
CybKnight said:
Did anyone try the "BIOS updater for 5th Gen Intel Core Processors", under BIOS utilities?

It states the following:
Before using the 5th Gen Intel Core processors, we suggest
that you use USB BIOS Flashback or download this BIOS updater
to update the BIOS

I would have tested it myself, but my 4790K is now sent back for RMA.
Click to expand...

"BIOS file is not correct" is the error I get when I try to use that utility.
 
No that was not the problem. The files were offered corrupted by Asus. They have reuploaded one that should work: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/MAXIMUS-VII-IMPACT/MAXIMUS-VII-IMPACT-ASUS-2601.zip (5.5MB)

The changes:
Synomenon said:
Version 2601 out today:

MAXIMUS VII IMPACT BIOS 2601
1. Implement 5th-Generation Intel Core Processors code
*Full support of the new CPU requires necessary driver updates.
2. Support ASUS USB 3.1 PCIE add-on card
3. Support NVMe

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/MAXIMUS-VII-IMPACT/MAXIMUS-VII-IMPACT-ASUS-2601.zip
Click to expand...
 
Some unrelated news, from Asus DIY blog, JJ mention in chat they would need to make a new variant of the Asus Hyper kit before the Intel 750 will work from M.2 slot in Impact due to difference in layout.

I just ordered a SM951 256GB from Ramcity. It will be good enough.
 
CybKnight said:
Some unrelated news, from Asus DIY blog, JJ mention in chat they would need to make a new variant of the Asus Hyper kit before the Intel 750 will work from M.2 slot in Impact due to difference in layout.

I just ordered a SM951 256GB from Ramcity. It will be good enough.
Click to expand...

Good enough? That's an understatement.

It outperforms the Intel 750 in most tests. See the AnandTech review here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9090/intel-ssd-750-pcie-ssd-review-nvme-for-the-client
 
Can M.2 wifi cards be used in the combo card or is it limited to mini-PCIe wifi cards?
 
Guys, i am getting headaches with this motherboard. I was using Z97i-Plus with a XP941 nicely until now. I wanted to get most of it and bought the M7I.

I am running latest BIOS 2601 but I can't see the XP941 in the BIOS, even with RAID enabled and CSM disabled.

Anyone has a tip?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top