Adventure: Running 8/9th gen Coffee Lake CPUs on Z170 motherboard (ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger)

[itsakjt]

9900K on ASUS Z170 Gene, air cooled.
5.2G sync all cores. It runs way cooler than I thought.
Tried 5.3G, bios falsely complains CPU over temperature during the post. I don't know why.


View attachment 303115

Incredible. Do try increasing the cache clock as well. You should be able to do 4.7 to 4.8 GHz easy without any further voltage increase.

What settings did you use for the voltages if you don't mind me asking?

 

[jxdking]

Incredible. Do try increasing the cache clock as well. You should be able to do 4.7 to 4.8 GHz easy without any further voltage increase.

What settings did you use for the voltages if you don't mind me asking?

I use CPU Core 1.35v in the bios. The AUTO value seems to be wrong, and is not stable by default. It posts though.
I haven't dug too much in the bios yet, such as LLC, TDP, turbo boost, etc. It seems to run 5.2G all the time and never throttle down. I am not familiar the bios, although I own the board since 2016.

I am going back to study how to overclock 9900K before touching anything farther.

 

[jxdking]

I feel it is the time to wrap up my adventure.
Motherboard: ASUS Maximus VIII Z170 Gene.
CPU: 9900K.
Memory: 4x8GB Samsung B-DIE at 4000MT/s

1. Hardware mod: The only mod I did is socket occupied (SKTOCC) pin mod. Find the #102 pin of Nuvoton(NCT6793) chip (see the pinout from the original post), and connect that pin to the nearest ground that you can find. To test it, I power on the board without cpu installed. If the board stay on with debug code 00, it is a success. With this, I don't need to do anything at back of the CPU.
2. BIOS mod: Use Coffeetime 0.99. The mod process should be straight forward. The key is that the modded bios file has to be burnt with an external programmer. BIOS flashback or afudos.exe won't work. I use CH341A programmer from Amazon. The bios chip of my motherboard is socketed. I can easily pull out the chip and put it on the CH341A programmer. Erase the chip first (important!), then write the new bios on it.
3. BIOS Configuration:
Z170 boards come with relative weak VRM. If let the board run 9900K uncapped, most of chance, you will get BSOD out of the box. Here are some values that I feel comfortable on my motherboard.
Core/Cache Max Current: 160A peak.
Short Term Power Limit (PL2): 999W, (it doesn't matter. It is capped by max current anyway)
Short Term Power Limit Seconds (Tau): 127 Seconds
Long Term Power Limit (PL1): 95W, Z170 boards VRM tends to overheat.
Load Line Calibration: Level 4 (The Middle one)
CPU VRM Switch Frequency: 500KHz (The Max one)
CPU VRM Phase Control: Extreme.
CPU Core/Cache Voltage: I run Offset Mode (-0.025v). Alternatively, I can run constant 1.25v manual override, but with higher temperature.
Disable, Multi-Core Enhancement.
Don't enable Sync All Cores Ratio.
Don't attempt to run all-core 5GHz. Otherwise, my board will overheat in couple of minutes, although the VRM of my board is not a weak one among Z170.

 

[itsakjt]

Update: Got Resizable bar working on the ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger. This board now has all the features of a Z370 board.

The only thing not working when Resizable Bar is enabled, is sleep (S3). As in it goes to sleep fine, but when waking up, it gets stuck and a manual reset is required. Definitely fixable but not able to invest much time at the moment.

The mod works on the ASUS Prime Z270-K as well and even sleep works on it flawlessly.
I followed the guide from xCuri0, link to the binaries - https://github.com/xCuri0/ReBarUEFI/releases

I will write a guide as well when I get some time.

 

[BobbyBoyGaming]

I am back after a very long time. My old AsRock z170 Fatal1ty ITX/AC in which I had placed a modded 9900K was killed. I had somebody mail me the computer in a box and they treated the box like total shit. I know because the CPU cooler came completely ripped off with the heat pipes totally bent.

So I ended up just buying an iBuyPower OEM board called AsRock z390 Phantom Gaming 4S/ac, and I found a way to cross-flash the non-OEM beta BIOS to add resizable BAR (called CAM by AsRock), and I have a fully featured z390 working computer.

However, the new problem is that I have a QQJ0 BGA1440-to-1151 lying around as a paper weight, and I was planning on making use of the CPU on my now-dead z170 board. I was wondering if anybody has attempted to use the BGA1440 on z370, z390, or B365 motherboards?

Initially, I was wondering if I should buy another used z170, and mod it for the QQJ0, but the chipset is too old for that to make any sense. So then figured that it might be a better idea to just buy a 300 series motherboard and put the QQJ0 in it if possible. But I dont know if anybody has heard of this or tried this.

I will eventually try to repair the z170 board for educational purposes, but the chances of success are very low, and I don't have any time for that at the moment.

UPDATE #1: I found a very inexpensive OEM z390 board by luck on ebay. It said "working condition", so I will try to put the QQJ0 in it if possible.

UPDATE #2:
Is it true CoffeeTime does not work with z390 to make these motherboards compatible with BGA1440 mutants?

 

[BobbyBoyGaming]

Yes looks like CoffeeTIme 0.99 is not compatible with z390 because it cannot change the Intel ME verision on the z390. Very unfortunate!

 

[itsakjt]

Yes looks like CoffeeTIme 0.99 is not compatible with z390 because it cannot change the Intel ME verision on the z390. Very unfortunate!

Hello there, the mod won't work on 14nm chipsets.
Only chipsets which use ME 11.x is supported which are essentially 22nm chipsets.

Supported chipsets for mod: B150, H170, Z170, B250, H270, Z270, B365, H310C, Z370. These chipsets are 22nm.

Unsupported chipsets: H310 (non C), B360, H370, Z390. These chipsets are all 14nm.

Note: H310C is the 22nm variant of the H310 (14nm) and hence is compatible.
Hope this helps.

 

[BobbyBoyGaming]

z370 is the best one of them? is this B365 any good? What about one called H370? I cant tell if it is 22nm or 14nm.

It does seem like B365 may be better than H310, but it is not as afordable and considering this is all just a very old platforms, I am not sure it is worth spending much on any of this.

This seems compatible right?

If you know of any lesser-known chinese variants of any of these motherboards, or OEM versions that I could maybe buy used. Please let me know I will try to look for something like a used z370 OEM or something that may not be expensive.

 

[itsakjt]

z370 is the best one of them? is this B365 any good? What about one called H370? I cant tell if it is 22nm or 14nm.
View attachment 308763
It does seem like B365 may be better than H310, but it is not as afordable and considering this is all just a very old platforms, I am not sure it is worth spending much on any of this.

This seems compatible right?
View attachment 308762

If you know of any lesser-known chinese variants of any of these motherboards, or OEM versions that I could maybe buy used. Please let me know I will try to look for something like a used z370 OEM or something that may not be expensive.

Yes Z370 is the best w.r.t. the mod.
Z370 is basically same as a Z270, just rebranded and for this reason only, it is possible to cross flash a Z370 BIOS to a Z270 board of similar layout and components.
The AsRock board you selected seems to be compatible however these H310C boards usually tend to have very bad VRMs which will limit your choice of CPUs. As in you can put a 9900K or an equivalent laptop adapted CPU if you want but it is not at all recommended.

Forgot to add, H370 is also 14nm and hence incompatible with the mod, added to the original comment as well.

 

[BobbyBoyGaming]

I ended up getting this AsRock z370 Pro4, should work perfectly hopefully, $72 US Dollars total... Not exactly cheap for old platform but much better than this brand new "H370M" or this "H310" hopefully. This one will have better VRM and will guarantee that I can run the RAM at 2666 instead of just at 2133 or whatever the B365 and other locked (non-overclockable) platforms...

This is how the latest beta-BIOS (with resizable-BAR) from AsRock looks under CoffeeTime 0.99. This is what the BIOS looks like it its original state (directly from the AsRock Webpage)

I noticed that the VBIOS is much newer (5191 OROM), and the one included in CoffeeTime 0.99 is 1062. The context pop up on CoffeeTime says CFL requires 1059+, but does not say if we need to downgrade high versions for use with BGA1440-modded CPUs.
Should I patch everything else and just leave this one at version 5191? I also noticed that the PCIe 1440 says "only required for 6C/12T". The mutant CPU I bought is a QTJ0 8C/16T. I think I will still enable this patch.

This is how it looks with everything patched/replaced except the VBIOS

This is with the downgraded VBIOS that comes with CoffeeTime 0.99

This is the very first BIOS ever made for this AsRock z370 Pro4. I wanted to check the VBIOS version on this to make sure that the value of "5191" is not some type of reading error on CoffeeTime 0.99. This one does show version 1054, so that means that 5191 is a real version and not some type of bug or something.

 

[itsakjt]

I ended up getting this AsRock z370 Pro4, should work perfectly hopefully, $72 US Dollars total... Not exactly cheap for old platform but much better than this brand new "H370M" or this "H310" hopefully. This one will have better VRM and will guarantee that I can run the RAM at 2666 instead of just at 2133 or whatever the B365 and other locked (non-overclockable) platforms...
View attachment 308773

This is how the latest beta-BIOS (with resizable-BAR) from AsRock looks under CoffeeTime 0.99. This is what the BIOS looks like it its original state (directly from the AsRock Webpage)
View attachment 308776
I noticed that the VBIOS is much newer (5191 OROM), and the one included in CoffeeTime 0.99 is 1062. The context pop up on CoffeeTime says CFL requires 1059+, but does not say if we need to downgrade high versions for use with BGA1440-modded CPUs.
Should I patch everything else and just leave this one at version 5191? I also noticed that the PCIe 1440 says "only required for 6C/12T". The mutant CPU I bought is a QTJ0 8C/16T. I think I will still enable this patch.

This is how it looks with everything patched/replaced except the VBIOS
View attachment 308779

This is with the downgraded VBIOS that comes with CoffeeTime 0.99
View attachment 308782

This is the very first BIOS ever made for this AsRock z370 Pro4. I wanted to check the VBIOS version on this to make sure that the value of "5191" is not some type of reading error on CoffeeTime 0.99. This one does show version 1054, so that means that 5191 is a real version and not some type of bug or something.
View attachment 308783

Try with the latest BIOS and see if it works, if it does not, the older BIOS will definitely work. For resizable bar with the older BIOS, you can use the mod from xCuri0.

 

[BobbyBoyGaming]

Does anybody here know if the BGA1440 Mutants come with TPM 2.0, or does the TPM disappear when ME is disabled on the Mobo to make the CPU work on z370 etc?
I know that for BGA1440 the Mod requires Intel ME 11.8 Corporate Cut with the HAP bit set to "off".
So if the ME is where the CPU TPM key is stored then the CPU's integrated TPM is effectively dysfunctional which would mean I need an external TPM 2.0 module as well.

Can anybody confirm or does anybody know ?

On a separate note:

I have received my AsRock z370 Pro 4 in the mail. I am trying to flash the modded BIOS into it but it has been nothing but problems.
My board came with a very strange chip that wont let itself be written to. I already bricked the motherboard during this ordeal so I have ordered an extra BIOS chip and I will replace this chip with one that is hopefully easier to flash.

I have not attempted desoldering this chip yet, I will try to do that. I was only trying to flash the mobo through a header called BIOS_PH1, but there has been no success so far.
This is the thread describing all my problems flashing this board.

[CH341a Problem] Which bios_ph1 Cable for ASRock Z270 Pro4?

hello, i bought a CH341 A, unfortunately the clip doesnt fit well on the chio and its not removable so i wanna try it through the bios_ph1 header, i just dont know which cable to buy and appreciate your help. i will add any info which could be useful for finding it out below. found this from...

winraid.level1techs.com

 

[itsakjt]

Does anybody here know if the BGA1440 Mutants come with TPM 2.0, or does the TPM disappear when ME is disabled on the Mobo to make the CPU work on z370 etc?
I know that for BGA1440 the Mod requires Intel ME 11.8 Corporate Cut with the HAP bit set to "off".
So if the ME is where the CPU TPM key is stored then the CPU's integrated TPM is effectively dysfunctional which would mean I need an external TPM 2.0 module as well.

Can anybody confirm or does anybody know ?

On a separate note:

I have received my AsRock z370 Pro 4 in the mail. I am trying to flash the modded BIOS into it but it has been nothing but problems.
My board came with a very strange chip that wont let itself be written to. I already bricked the motherboard during this ordeal so I have ordered an extra BIOS chip and I will replace this chip with one that is hopefully easier to flash.

I have not attempted desoldering this chip yet, I will try to do that. I was only trying to flash the mobo through a header called BIOS_PH1, but there has been no success so far.
This is the thread describing all my problems flashing this board.

[CH341a Problem] Which bios_ph1 Cable for ASRock Z270 Pro4?

hello, i bought a CH341 A, unfortunately the clip doesnt fit well on the chio and its not removable so i wanna try it through the bios_ph1 header, i just dont know which cable to buy and appreciate your help. i will add any info which could be useful for finding it out below. found this from...

winraid.level1techs.com

Hello there,

TPM is a Management Engine feature and if ME gets disabled, TPM will cease to function. Are you sure you need to disable it? Because downgrading ME to 11.7.0.1229 or 11.7.0.1261 should work with all chips.

I checked your thread at level1techs as well. The Winbond W25Q128JVSQ should be easy to flash with ASProgrammer 2.1 XongTia (the one I linked earlier). That's the same chip I had on my Z270-K. Try desoldering it and soldering it directly to the CH341A programmer. It is possible that something else on the board is consuming the power which can essentially cause voltage drops, enough to make the chip not operate as intended.

 

[BobbyBoyGaming]

Ok, I was trying to avoid desoldering because I suck at it and I didnt want to damage the Motherboard cosmetically, but I will try to protect stuff around the are with some tape.
I was hoping the BIOS_PH1 would work.

The only reason I ask about TPM and ME is because CoffeeTime Does seem to suggest so. See the context menu. I dont think it is related to the version as much as it might be related to the HAP bit being off. I dont exactly know what this means but I think it is just effectively turning ME off completely.

This is an image of the BIOS file that the CPU seller sent me to use with the BGA1440 I bought off him. And after I open the file in coffee time WE see that he set it to "Corporate Cut, 11.8, HAP bit disabled"
And when you look at the drop down menu "Any 1440" only appears when the HAP bit is off.

So the best way to know is to figure out what exactly "HAP bit off/disabled" is and what it does.

Good news, I was able to flash it by desoldering it. However I am now having a lot of trouble resoldering it. The thing is too tiny. it is very difficult!

I put the solder on but it is very hard to get int into the pad correctly

I re-soldered the bios chip to the best of my ability. I boot up the computer and the fans spin up but there is no video output.

The fans Spin up but i get no video output no speaker sound nothing. The computer is not posting.


UPDATE

I got it to work!! .
It was some Chinese SO-DIMM to DIMM RAM adapter that was causing the problem lol.

It is because these adapters may require a higher voltage to work properly or something so they are not good for first time BIOS setup. Or what is more likely is that the SODIMM RAM is simply not compatible with the motherboard (not QVL) or something and just doesnt work. Anyway, happy to say this mod worked~!

 

[itsakjt]

Ok, I was trying to avoid desoldering because I suck at it and I didnt want to damage the Motherboard cosmetically, but I will try to protect stuff around the are with some tape.
I was hoping the BIOS_PH1 would work.

The only reason I ask about TPM and ME is because CoffeeTime Does seem to suggest so. See the context menu. I dont think it is related to the version as much as it might be related to the HAP bit being off. I dont exactly know what this means but I think it is just effectively turning ME off completely.

This is an image of the BIOS file that the CPU seller sent me to use with the BGA1440 I bought off him. And after I open the file in coffee time WE see that he set it to "Corporate Cut, 11.8, HAP bit disabled"
And when you look at the drop down menu "Any 1440" only appears when the HAP bit is off.
View attachment 310919

So the best way to know is to figure out what exactly "HAP bit off/disabled" is and what it does.

Good news, I was able to flash it by desoldering it. However I am now having a lot of trouble resoldering it. The thing is too tiny. it is very difficult!

I put the solder on but it is very hard to get int into the pad correctly

View attachment 310962

I re-soldered the bios chip to the best of my ability. I boot up the computer and the fans spin up but there is no video output.

The fans Spin up but i get no video output no speaker sound nothing. The computer is not posting.


UPDATE

I got it to work!! .
It was some Chinese SO-DIMM to DIMM RAM adapter that was causing the problem lol.

It is because these adapters may require a higher voltage to work properly or something so they are not good for first time BIOS setup. Or what is more likely is that the SODIMM RAM is simply not compatible with the motherboard (not QVL) or something and just doesnt work. Anyway, happy to say this mod worked~!
View attachment 310987

Awesome. Do try enabling ME as well with consumer 11.7.0.1229 and check if the laptop CPU posts (it should).

 

[BobbyBoyGaming]

Does anybody here happen to know if the 1440 mutant CPUs are able to work with 4 RAM DIMMS or do they only work with 2 DIMMS? (because they are from a laptop)?

 

[aviatori]

You did an amazing job.
So, I tried to make it but there is a one problem. I have ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K6 motherboard. As I understood FD44Editor works only with Asus motherboards.
Can someone help me with this problem? or modify this bios?
Thanks in advance.

 

[itsakjt]

Does anybody here happen to know if the 1440 mutant CPUs are able to work with 4 RAM DIMMS or do they only work with 2 DIMMS? (because they are from a laptop)?

They work with 4 DIMMs as well based on Miyconst videos.

You did an amazing job.
So, I tried to make it but there is a one problem. I have ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K6 motherboard. As I understood FD44Editor works only with Asus motherboards.
Can someone help me with this problem? or modify this bios?
Thanks in advance.

You can take a dump of the existing BIOS and the data should be visible in Coffee Time from where you can copy the data and paste it on a fresh BIOS.

 

[aviatori]

Thanks for reply.
I did that, but Coffee Time is writing that file is damaged.

 

[itsakjt]

Thanks for reply.
I did that, but Coffee Time is writing that file is damaged.

Then the BIOS dump is not getting completed successfully. Which process are you using to take a dump of the existing BIOS?

 

[aviatori]

I used AMIBIOS_and_Aptio_AMI_Firmware_Update_Utility, as you say in video and also save file from UEFI. both are damaged.

 

[itsakjt]

I used AMIBIOS_and_Aptio_AMI_Firmware_Update_Utility, as you say in video and also save file from UEFI. both are damaged.

The compatibility of these programs will depend on motherboard. The safest way is to use a hardware programmer like the CH341A.

 

[aviatori]

Ok. I'll try that one.
This will work?

 

[itsakjt]

Ok. I'll try that one.
This will work?

Yes it will work.
Your motherboard also has removable BIOS chips. So it should be super easy.
Just be careful while removing them as not doing so can result in bending/breaking the pins on the chip.
There are two BIOS chips on your board. Take a dump of both and then flash both the chips with the modded BIOS.
You might need to peel off the sticker on top of the chips to identify the make and model of the chips.

 

[aviatori]

Yes it will work.
Your motherboard also has removable BIOS chips. So it should be super easy.
Just be careful while removing them as not doing so can result in bending/breaking the pins on the chip.
There are two BIOS chips on your board. Take a dump of both and then flash both the chips with the modded BIOS.
You might need to peel off the sticker on top of the chips to identify the make and model of the chips.

I knew about two chips, but did not know that they can be quick disconnected. that's good.
I want to leave backup chip with original bios and install new on first one, for safety. will it work like this?
Thanks for help.

Eureka!
I wrote new bios with AFU
works with i7-6700. now i will buy 9-th gen and test it out.
Thanks again.
bios settings: