AMD Ryzen AGESA update reduces DDR4 latency, fixes FMA3 crashes and overclock sleep bug

AMD technical marketing expert Robert Hallock informs us about the status of the AGESA update for the company's Ryzen processors. We've known for some time that AMD is working on an update that will improve DDR4 memory compatibility, the upcoming update will tackle part of the problem by reducing DDR4 latency but it will also fix the FMA3 bug, resolve the "overclock sleep bug" and will no longer require High-Precision Event Timer (HPET) to be enabled for the AMD Ryzen Master overclocking tool.

The AGESA update has version number 1.0.0.4 and will be rolled out to motherboard makers very soon. Hallock estimates motherboard makers will be able to roll out the first new BIOS updates with the updated AGESA code in early April.

However, the Ryzen issues with high-frequency DDR4 memory will not be resolved by the April microcode update. Hallock says AMD is still working hard on this, and promises better overclocked DDR4 memory support in May. So yeah, that's basically what I told you over a month ago.

Here's his full statement about the AGESA microcode updates for Ryzen:

Let’s talk BIOS updates Finally, we wanted to share with you our most recent work on the AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture for AMD Ryzen™ processors. We call it the AGESA™ for short.

As a brief primer, the AGESA is responsible for initializing AMD x86-64 processors during boot time, acting as something of a “nucleus” for the BIOS updates you receive for your motherboard. Motherboard vendors take the baseline capabilities of our AGESA releases and build on that infrastructure to create the files you download and flash.

We will soon be distributing AGESA point release 1.0.0.4 to our motherboard partners. We expect BIOSes based on this AGESA to start hitting the public in early April, though specific dates will depend on the schedules and QA practices of your motherboard vendor.

BIOSes based on this new code will have four important improvements for you

We have reduced DRAM latency by approximately 6ns. This can result in higher performance for latency-sensitive applications.

We resolved a condition where an unusual FMA3 code sequence could cause a system hang.

We resolved the “overclock sleep bug” where an incorrect CPU frequency could be reported after resuming from S3 sleep.

AMD Ryzen™ Master no longer requires the High-Precision Event Timer (HPET).

We will continue to update you on future AGESA releases when they’re complete, and we’re already working hard to bring you a May release that focuses on overclocked DDR4 memory.