Motherboard manufacturer ASRock has officially acknowledged and launched an investigation into widespread user reports of AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors failing in systems built with its AM5 motherboards. The company’s statement, posted on its website, confirms it is conducting “comprehensive internal reviews” in coordination with AMD, but stops short of providing specific guidance or admitting to a confirmed hardware defect.
This comes after a surge in user complaints across tech forums and Reddit, with community-tracked reports now listing over 180 cases of the popular Ryzen 7 9800X3D alone failing on ASRock boards.
The Official Statement: Acknowledgment Without Answers
In its statement, ASRock said it is “closely monitoring recent discussions” and has “implemented comprehensive internal reviews and rigorous verification processes.” The company emphasized it is working with AMD to “validate system performance” and optimize BIOS for “enhancing overall system stability.”
However, the announcement notably lacks actionable information for concerned customers. It does not specify:
- Whether users should update to a specific BIOS version or avoid one.
- If certain motherboard settings (like EXPO memory overclocking) should be disabled.
- A timeline for a potential fix or root cause analysis.
The statement directs users experiencing issues to contact ASRock’s technical support, leaving many to navigate the warranty process while the investigation is ongoing.
The Scale of the Problem: Community Reports Paint a Worrying Picture
The official investigation follows mounting evidence from the PC building community. A megathread on the ASRock subreddit is tracking user-reported failures, with significant numbers across multiple CPU models:
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Over 183 reported cases
- Ryzen 7 9700X: Over 50 reported cases
- Ryzen 5 9600X: Over 29 reported cases
The reports are not isolated to the high-end X3D chips, suggesting a potential platform-level issue. The failures consistently follow a similar pattern: a previously stable system suddenly will not boot, displaying a “00” error code or solid CPU/DRAM debug LEDs, and does not respond to standard troubleshooting like BIOS flashback or RAM swaps.
Also, Read
- Multiple Ryzen 9000 CPUs Reportedly Fail on ASRock AM5 Motherboards in Single Day
- AMD GPU Prices Climbing – Board Partners Report 5-10% Hike, Focus Shifts to 8GB Cards
- CPU Reliability Report – AMD Ryzen 9000 and Intel Core Ultra 200 Show Nearly Identical Failure Rates
What This Means for Owners and the Market
For current owners of ASRock AM5 motherboards with Ryzen 9000 CPUs, the situation creates uncertainty. While not every system is affected, the volume of reports indicates a problem beyond random failures.
Advice for concerned users includes:
- Document Your Configuration: Note your exact CPU, motherboard model, BIOS version, and RAM specs.
- Avoid Aggressive Tuning: Consider disabling EXPO/XMP memory profiles and any CPU performance boost settings until more is known.
- Monitor Official Channels: Watch for updates from ASRock’s website or press channels for BIOS updates or official guidance.
The incident also highlights a divergence in manufacturer response. When similar issues surfaced on some ASUS AM5 boards, the company was quicker to publicly communicate its investigation. ASRock’s delayed and less detailed response has drawn criticism from the community. The pressure is now on both ASRock and AMD to identify the cause—whether it’s in the motherboard power delivery, a BIOS bug, or a subtle CPU compatibility issue—and provide a clear solution.
Source: Asrock