AMD’s Latest Ryzen 3000 Microcode Update Could Cut Boot Times By 20%

Coming in slightly ahead of schedule. MSI has begun rolling out BIOS updates based on AMD’s latest microcode, AGESA (AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture) 1.0.0.4. MSI had previously claimed the new microcode would introduce over 100 fixes and improvements. It appears boot times is one of them—a video comparing an X570 motherboard running the latest microcode shows it booting more much faster than the previous microcode.

MSI says it is the first motherboard maker to release the latest AMD Combo Pi version 1.0.0.4 Patch B (SMU v46.54) BIOS update. According to MSI, the latest microcode “has a massive improvement at all points concerning debugs and optimization” compared to the previous version.

“Specifically, optimized system boot up procedure allows users to shorten boot time and speed up the boot process. Compared to previous 1.0.0.3 version, the boot speed entering into BIOS is faster by 20 percent,” MSI says.

That might be a conservative estimate. A video uploaded to Facebook by HKEPC (embedded above) shows MSI’s Meg X570 Godlike motherboard going through the processes of clearing the CMOS and booting. In both instances, the board finished the task quicker with the latest BIOS updated based on AGESA 1.0.0.4, compared to an earlier BIOS based on AGESA 1.0.0.3.

The system is running a Ryzen 5 3600 processor with 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 memory. Here are the time comparisons…

Going from 33 seconds to 25 seconds to clear the CMOS is a 24.2 percent improvement. Likewise, booting to the BIOS after saving and exiting, and booting up the PC both show impressive gains—going from 23 seconds to 16 seconds is a 30.4 percent improvement.

Obviously your mileage will vary when it comes to booting a PC into Windows (or Linux). Nevertheless, it does appear MSI has been able to leverage AMD’s latest microcode to improve performance.

“At the moment, the BIOS for X570 motherboards will be ready for users to download and update in the end of October. The updated BIOS version supports Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G running in X570 platform. On the other hand, it also supports RAID function including SATA- and NVMe-based drives for X570 motherboards. We are still working hard on other existing lineup of 300- and 400-series motherboard and will be released soon in November,” MSI says.

In other words, stay tuned.

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