Author: Mr. Robot

$30 Microsoft Office Lifetime License

Typically $439 for a forever license, this is significantly cheaper at $30. Compared to Office 365 subscription which is $99/year for 5 devices, or $69/year for 1 device.

This is a much better deal.

Be sure to associate it with a Microsoft account to avoid ever having to remember the key.

WINDOWS:
Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License

MAC:
Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Mac: Lifetime License

Ryzen Curve Optimizer Tuning

These steps will guide you to find the best and worst cores of your Ryzen automatically using Project Hydra to maximize your turbo clockspeed.

The paid version is needed for AM5 but free version is ok for Ryzen AM4. You can get it by supporting it’s developer, Yuri Bubliy (1usmus) on his patreon: https://www.patreon.com/1usmus

WARNING: This guide does not cover stability or benchmark testing which must be done before and after this process to establish score improvements and stability.

  1. Run Cinebench R23 and note the multi-core score.
  2. Upgrade motherboard BIOS to latest version.
  3. Enable XMP and match FCLK to 1/2 of MCLK
    4000 = 2000 3800 = 1900 3600 = 1800
  4. Enable Precision Boost Overdrive, set limits to Disabled
  5. Enable Clock Override, set to + 0MHz
  6. Save and exit BIOS. Boot to Windows.
  7. If your cooling setup follows the GPU, temporarily set it to follow CPU.
  8. Download and Run Project Hydra
  9. Click Diagnostic, this will take up to 4 hours or more. Do not use the computer beyond web browsing during this time.
  10. Upon completion, review the final curve optimizer values listed in the Log, screenshot or note the values.
  11. Go back to BIOS and enter the Precision Boost menu, then set the Curve Optimizer to Per Core and configure the voltages as noted from Log.
    Try FAST, if you have any stability issues reduce to MID.
    If any stability issues persist set to SAFE.
    If the value is negative, use negative on that core.
    If the value is positive, use positive on that core.
  12. Save and exit the BIOS.
  13. Run a benchmark like Cinebench R23 to compare against baseline performance.
  14. Experiment with clock boost override in 50MHz increments, running Cinebench after each adjustment to check for improvement / stability. Some CPUs may have stability issues or performance regression with any value while others can do 200MHz.

    Below is an example report of my 5600X which is running 4.85GHz on stock voltage.
    Do NOT use these settings, every CPU is different, they are listed for example purposes only:

    CURVE OPTIMIZER values for BIOS
    (If you do not plan to use HYDRA)
    C01 SAFE CO: -5 MID CO: -6 FAST CO: -7
    C02 SAFE CO: -9 MID CO: -11 FAST CO: -14
    C03 SAFE CO: -17 MID CO: -20 FAST CO: -25
    C04 SAFE CO: -18 MID CO: -22 FAST CO: -28
    C05 SAFE CO: 0 MID CO: 0 FAST CO: 1
    C06 SAFE CO: -13 MID CO: -16 FAST CO: -20

Blank screen with RTX 3000 Series GPU

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RTX 3060 and RTX 3080 Ti are most typically affected by this issue, however it can affect any RTX 3000 series GPU.

The GPU needs to have its firmware updated. If currently unable to use, you may need to install it as a secondary GPU in a working system in order to update it.

If the GPU is a eVGA product, download, install, and run the eVGA Precision software to update the GPU firmware first.

Other brands should be checked on their respective manufacturer website for vBIOS updates prior to this procedure.

Source: https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5233/~/nvidia-gpu-firmware-update-tool-for-displayid

How to update BIOS

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Can’t boot? Use BIOS Flashback to update your BIOS
For instructions: How to use BIOS Flashback

  1. Determine your motherboard make/model and pull up the site for it
    • Run the System Information app from Windows start menu
    • Ctrl+C Copy the line “BaseBoard Product” and paste it in google search.
    • The correct result is the first non-sponsored result from the domain of the manufacturer.
  2. Once there, you can find the BIOS located under the support section.
  3. Download the most recent BIOS.
  4. Insert a spare USB thumb drive, it must be formatted as FAT32.
    Some systems can read the BIOS file directly from the hard drive. If so, then extract the BIOS to your C:\ drive instead and skip step 5.
  5. Extract the BIOS you downloaded in step 3 to a USB thumb drive.
  6. Reboot the computer then press the Del key repeatedly until the BIOS menu appears.
  7. Navigate to the BIOS update section. It is named differently depending on what company manufactured your motherboard:
    Asus: EZ Flash Gigabyte: Q-Flash MSi: M-Flash
  8. Navigate to the BIOS update file you extracted in step 5 then press enter.
  9. The BIOS flash begins. It can take up to 10 minutes.
    Do not interrupt the process in any way, the system will automatically reboot itself when it completes or show a reboot prompt.


MSI Pre-Built Bends SSDs & Boils CPUs at 100°C ($1700 Aegis R Review)

This pre-built PC is one of the worst systems we’ve ever tested. It’s impressive how MSI combined software & hardware incompetence to create this abomination.

How to use BIOS Flashback

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NOTICE: These instructions apply to both Intel and AMD boards.

  • Most boards include a feature called BIOS Flashback that will allow the BIOS to be updated prior to booting up for the first time.
  • Most can complete BIOS flashback without having a CPU, RAM, or video card installed.
AMD AM4 boards: (B450, X470, B550, X370, X570)
  • Need to have the BIOS updated prior to being able to boot any 5000 Series Ryzen.
AMD AM5 boards: (B650, B650-E, X670, X670-E)
  • Need to have the BIOS updated prior to being able to boot any 7000X3D Series Ryzen.
Intel LGA1700 boards: (B660/Z690/Z790)
  • Need to have the BIOS updated prior to being able to boot 13th or 14th Gen Intel CPU.

If your board does not support BIOS flashback, you will need to have the BIOS flashed with a SPI programmer or a spare older generation CPU temporarily to boot and update.

For help with this, submit a ticket

Asus

  1. No other components are necessary except CPU + power.
  2. Make sure file name extensions are enabled in Windows Explorer
  3. Format a USB thumbdrive as FAT32. If you can’t FAT32 format with windows, use Rufus with boot selection set to Non Bootable
  4. Download the latest BIOS file that matches your motherboard model from the ASUS® website.
  5. Extract all contents to a folder.
  6. Run the BIOSRenamer.exe as admin to rename the BIOS file for flashback.
  7. Place only the BIOS file on the root of the USB flash drive.
  8. Insert the USB storage device to the Flash USB port (the USB marked on the I/O shield) then press the BIOS FlashBack™ button for three seconds to automatically update the BIOS.
  9. Once the flashing BIOS process is 100% completed, the LED will be off simultaneously.
  10. Build and boot.

ASRock (Taichi Only)

  1. No other components are necessary except power.
  2. Make sure file name extensions are enabled in Windows Explorer
  3. Format a USB thumbdrive as FAT32. If you can’t FAT32 format with windows, use Rufus with boot selection set to Non Bootable
  4. Download the latest BIOS file that matches your motherboard model from the ASRock® website.
  5. Extract all contents to a folder.
  6. Rename the BIOS file to CREATIVE.ROM
  7. Place the file on the root of the USB flash drive.
  8. Plug the USB flash drive that contains the ROM file into the Flashback marked USB Port on the rear I/O panel.
  9. Press the BIOS Flashback Switch for about three seconds. Then the LED starts to blink.
  10. Wait until the LED stops blinking, indicating that BIOS flashing has been completed.
  11. Build and boot.

Gigabyte

  1. No other components are necessary except power.
  2. Make sure file name extensions are enabled in Windows Explorer
  3. Format a USB thumbdrive as FAT32. If you can’t FAT32 format with windows, use Rufus with boot selection set to Non Bootable
  4. Download the latest BIOS file that matches your motherboard model from the Gigabyte ® website.
  5. Extract all contents to a folder.
  6. Rename the BIOS file to Gigabyte.bin
  7. Place the file on the root of the USB flash drive.
  8. Plug the USB flash drive that contains the Gigabyte.bin file into the Flash BIOS marked USB Port on the rear I/O panel.
  9. Press the Flash BIOS Button to flash BIOS, let go when the button LED starts flashing.
  10. Once the flashing BIOS process is 100% completed, the LED will be off simultaneously.
  11. Build and boot.

MSi

  1. No other components are necessary except power.
  2. Make sure file name extensions are enabled in Windows Explorer
  3. Format a USB thumbdrive as FAT32. If you can’t FAT32 format with windows, use Rufus with boot selection set to Non Bootable
  4. Download the latest BIOS file that matches your motherboard model from the MSI® website.
  5. Extract and Rename the BIOS file to MSI.ROM
  6. Place the file on the root of the USB flash drive.
  7. Plug the USB flash drive that contains the MSI.ROM file into the Flash BIOS marked USB Port on the rear I/O panel.
  8. Press the Flash BIOS Button to flash BIOS, let go when the button LED starts flashing.
  9. Once the flashing BIOS process is 100% completed, the LED will be off simultaneously.
  10. Build and boot.

Backwards capacitor causes fire for Asus motherboards

Intel’s high-end 12th-generation Core processors use a lot of power and generate a lot of heat, but Asus’ ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboard takes things to the next level. A “potential reversed memory capacitor” in some boards can cause them to catch on fire.

When you reach out to support, they may attempt to claim the warranty is void even though it was a manufacturing error.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/01/backwards-capacitor-causes-fiery-failure-for-some-high-end-asus-motherboards/

Amazon Scam PC: Everything is Wrong in the iBUYPOWER Element Mini

At nearly $700, this iBUYPOWER Element Mini is among the cheapest systems we’ve purchased for review this year. Unfortunately, most the specs were incorrectly listed, and the GPU is… old.

At nearly $700, this iBUYPOWER Element Mini is among the cheapest systems we’ve purchased for review this year. Unfortunately, most the specs were incorrectly listed, and the GPU is… old.

Blank screen with GTX 10 Series & older GPU

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To enable the latest DisplayPort 1.3 / 1.4 features, your graphics card may require a firmware update.

Without the update, systems that are connected to a DisplayPort 1.3 / 1.4 monitor could experience blank screens on boot until the OS loads, or could experience a hang on boot. The NVIDIA Firmware Updater will detect whether the firmware update is needed, and if needed, will give the user the option to update it.

If you are currently experiencing a blank screen or hang on boot with a DP 1.3 or 1.4 monitor, please try one of the following workarounds in order to run the tool:

-Boot using DVI or HDMI Boot using a different monitor

-Change boot mode from UEFI to Legacy; or Legacy to UEFI.

-Boot using an alternate graphics source (secondary or integrated graphics card)

Once you have the tool downloaded, please run the tool and follow the on-screen instructions.

Source: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/nv-uefi-update-x64/

Embarrassingly Bad: HP Pavilion $1430 Prebuilt Gaming PC

We’re still on our quest to find the best pre-built gaming PCs. So far, we’ve found two pretty good ones and a bunch that aren’t that.

We’re still on our quest to find the best pre-built gaming PCs. So far, we’ve found two pretty good ones and a bunch that aren’t that.