ASRock has always been known for making high-quality motherboards that are safe and reliable for users. The company has a strong reputation in the industry, especially for its motherboards designed for AMD and Intel CPUs.

However, some users have recently reported serious issues, like boot problems and even damage to their CPUs, particularly with the AMD 9800X3D and other Ryzen 9000-series processors. After receiving several complaints, ASRock has finally acknowledged these issues and has addressed them.

ASRock addresses two critical issues

One of the cases ASRock looked into involved a damaged CPU that had been affected by burn issues. The motherboard was inspected, and after thorough checks, ASRock found that the socket and CPU measurements were correct. There were no signs of damage or burn marks around the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) area, which could have caused the issue. After cleaning the socket, the motherboard was able to boot up without any problems. It even managed to boot the original onboard BIOS and passed long-term stress tests successfully. This suggests that the issue may not have been caused by the motherboard itself.

1. A retrieved motherboard was in a system where the CPU showed burn damage. When inspecting this motherboard, we found that the motherboard does not have obvious damage nor burn marks around the VRM area. Measurements of the motherboard are also within spec. After cleaning and removing debris from the CPU socket, without further repair, the motherboard can boot up successfully with original onboard BIOS. It also passed long-term stress tests.

2. With some BIOS versions, we have noticed some systems are not being able to boot with random 9000-series CPUs. BIOS 3.20 fixes this issue by improving memory compatibility.
The release of BIOS 3.20 is not related to the CPU damage issue. All BIOS versions including earlier iterations will not cause CPU damage.

ASRock

In addition to investigating the CPU damage, ASRock has also released BIOS version 3.20 for their motherboards. This new version promises to fix the boot issues many users have been facing with Ryzen 9000-series CPUs. The company explained that they were able to improve memory compatibility, which was the main cause of the boot problems. However, ASRock has made it clear that this BIOS update does not address the CPU damage issue. They also confirmed that no BIOS version, including earlier ones, will cause any harm to your CPU, so users can feel reassured in that regard.

Even though ASRock has released a BIOS update to fix the boot problems, the cause of the CPU damage is still not fully understood. The company has not yet determined if it's related to user error, memory issues, or something else entirely. As of now, there is no clear explanation. It's possible that a more in-depth investigation, maybe even from a YouTuber or tech expert, could shed light on the root cause of this problem.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.