Latest MSI BIOS adds "TDP to 105W" mode for AMD Ryzen 9700X and 9600X

[Shawn Knight]

In brief: MSI has introduced a BIOS update for select AMD motherboards that adds a one-click option to raise the thermal ceiling on AMD's latest 65W TDP processors, the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 9700X.

TDP is short for thermal design power, and relates to the maximum amount of heat generated by a chip that its cooling system is capable of dissipating. Both of AMD's new, entry-level Zen 5-based chips shipped with a TDP rating of 65W although recent rumors have suggested AMD is looking into increasing the TDP to boost performance (and sales).

Rather than wait for AMD to make a move, MSI has already taken action in its latest AGESA 1.2.0.1 BIOS. The new "TDP to 105W" does exactly what you'd think – increases the TDP of the Ryzen 5 9600X / Ryzen 7 9700X to 105W.

Received new BIOS from MSI, with a new option "TDP to 105W" to increase TDP of Ryzen 9700X/9600X from 65W to 105W.
Ryzen 9700X Cinebench R23 multi-core score :
65W: 20,409, 105W: 23,153. It's 13% faster. pic.twitter.com/mt9wh5AnJS

– kuroberu (@kuroberumo) August 28, 2024

Over on X, user kuroberu reported a 13 percent increase in Cinebench R23's multi-core test on a Ryzen 7 9700X with "TDP to 105W" enabled. Unfortunately, we don't yet know the specifics such as the clock speed bump, voltage increase, or temperature increase from this run.

Synthetic, multi-core CPU benchmarks are certainly worth having, but most will likely be more interested in the impact it'll have on gaming. For that, we'll have to wait until more information becomes available.

MSI, meanwhile, has been on a roll as of late. The Taiwanese tech firm recently shared the blueprint for its upcoming high-end X870E motherboard with Wccf Tech, and it's a monster.

The MEG X870E Godlike is an E-ATX socket AM5 board that supports up to 256 GB of DDR5 memory and can accommodate five M.2 devices. There's also a 28 Phase (110A) CPU VRM design, dual 8-pin CPU power connectors, and steel reinforced PCIe and memory slots. Pricing wasn't mentioned, but it likely won't come cheap when it arrives after the first wave of AMD 800-series motherboards.

AMD is still expected to roll out its own TDP bump, but no word yet on when exactly it'll arrive.

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Latest MSI BIOS adds "TDP to 105W" mode for AMD Ryzen 9700X and 9600X

 

[Dimitriid]

MSI be like 'Why should only our intel customers enjoy the benefits of crashes due to degraded CPU performance from volting it so high all the time? I think AMD users would enjoy this feature too!'

 

[Lew Zealand]

MSI be like 'Why should only our intel customers enjoy the benefits of crashes due to degraded CPU performance from volting it so high all the time? I think AMD users would enjoy this feature too!'

Unfortunately they short-sheeted the AMD CPUs, restricting them to 1/3 the Intel wattage. Shameless favoritism.

 

[nitebird]

I won't ask for much, can I get a 155W and 205W option too?

 

[bviktor]

What a mess

 

[i like foxes]

So MSI love fire hazards . Good to know , lol

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Steve claimed there was didly squat improvement in raising power limits.

 

[i like foxes]

Overclocking is a brainwashing machine , a delusion for hazard ones .

 

[hahahanoobs]

Steve claimed there was didly squat improvement in raising power limits.

If you're talking about when he enabled PBO in the 9600X re-review, you're right.

 

[Eldrach]

I always undervolt my CPU, it clocks higher and runs cooler - it’s like magic if you get a cpu that remains stable, set my 5900X to -20, it went down 10 degrees celsius and boosts almost 300 mhz higher

 

[Theinsanegamer]

So MSI love fire hazards . Good to know , lol

Overclocking is a brainwashing machine , a delusion for hazard ones .

What on earth are you smoking? Sounds like good shat, gimme some.

 

[i like foxes]

What on earth are you smoking? Sounds like good shat, gimme some.

Hah , another addicted victim . You should seek a professional assistance !

 

[mountains]

Oh, I just saw my MSI MB got the “TDP to 105W” BIOS update as of yesterday. Hope Steve or someone does an article on it! I am skeptical...

 

[Eldrach]

Oh, I just saw my MSI MB got the “TDP to 105W” BIOS update as of yesterday. Hope Steve or someone does an article on it! I am skeptical...

Steve probably will

 

[ZedRM]

105W mode might be a bit much. 80W or 85W would be good. The big concern is the voltage. It's known that Ryzen and the latest gen Intel lineups don't like too much voltage and can degrade over time as a result.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

105W mode might be a bit much. 80W or 85W would be good. The big concern is the voltage. It's known that Ryzen and the latest gen Intel lineups don't like too much voltage and can degrade over time as a result.

PBO allows fine control over these things. I used PBO to undervolt my 5800X, lowered temps 15C, reduced PPT from 142W to 120W (~90W TDP), boosted clocks slightly and improved performance 4-5%. Newer cpu's can use the even more advanced curve optimiser for even better results. KitGuru showed how he used fully tuned PBO on 9950X to get much better performance at lower power and temps.