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PC Processors

monkburger
Journeyman III
‎12-20-2018 02:51 PM

December Windows 10 Microcode Update causes serious performance and instability issues (1920X/X399E)

The latest Windows 10 AMD Microcode update that was shipped is causing serious issues with my Asus STRIX X399-E motherboard. After performing BIOS downgrades and other attempts (before a total reinstall of the OS), I removed the mcupdate_AuthenticAMD.dll file from System32 and everything returned to normal.

- Very sluggish system. High amounts of 'DPC' Latency

- Slow booting. Takes nearly 3x longer than it should with an m.2 SSD

- Shutting down the computer causes it to no longer reboot. I have to reset the CMOS jumper for it to work again.

- The shutdown appears to corrupt something in the EFI settings, because I have to reset the BIOS every time to get the computer to power on.

After removing the microcode update files, everything returns to normal.

Performing some basic analysis on the vague microcode file, it appears this is another attempt at fixing the specter later variants and it's not doing a very good job, and it's corrupting some other things.

There seems to be some kind of regression in the microcode update file, which is not unusual (but damaging since we end users are at the Mercy of Windows 10 automatic updates to plague our systems with performance problems)

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2 Replies
misterj
Big Boss
‎12-20-2018 04:27 PM

monkburger, Windows does not issue Microcode Updates, so do not know what you are talking about.   If it is an update from your MB vendor, then I suggest you post on their forum.  Enjoy, John.

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monkburger
In response to misterj
Journeyman III
‎12-20-2018 04:45 PM

misterj

I'm not sure you completely understand how microcode updates work. For example, Windows has their own 'interface' to deploy/execute microcode to fix errata on CPUs etc. AMD is responsible for formulating the fixes via MSR changes, etc. AMD then sends said fixes to Microsoft (or other vendors via binary blobs to keep I.P. and changes 'hidden'). Microsoft then ships said blobs in a file, normally called mcupdate_AuthenticAMD.dll or mcupdate_GenuineIntel.dll

The issue is, the latest binary blob (microcode) have incapacitated my Threadripper board to the point it's unusable. Removing said mcupdate_AuthenticAMD.dll file from Windows, allows the system to behave normally.

The only conclusion is that the latest changes AMD is pushing for microcode is breaking systems.

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