Gigabyte Issues Emergency BIOS Update for Certain X79 Series Motherboards
He was using a Gigabyte X79-UD3 motherboard and narrowed the culprit down to a faulty MOSFET that couldn't handle the stress from the board's CPU VRM. Pictures are littered all over the Web on various forums, and they aren't pretty. Unfortunately, the problem is more serious than bad part on a single motherboard.
"It has come to our attention that certain X79 Series motherboards (see models below) may malfunction due to excess heat when performing Extreme Overclocking beyond the board’s limit. To address this issue and to ensure our product is being used as intended, we urge existing X79 users to either visit Gigabyte’s official website to download and update their X79 series BIOS, or contact Gigabyte’s regional service center," Gigabyte said in a statement.
Below is a list of affected boards with links to an updated BIOS:
- G1.Assassin 2 (Update to BIOS F7 or later)
- GA-X79-UD7 (Update to BIOS F7 or later)
- GA-X79-UD5 (Update to BIOS F7 or later)
- GA-X79-UD3 (Update to BIOS F7 or later)
Some early reports suggested Gigabyte was recalling the above models, but that's not the case in the U.S. Instead, Gigabyte is taking a three pronged approach to resolving the problem:
- Gigabyte will make its best efforts to ensure that all partners, distributors and retailers have the latest firmware (BIOS) installed on existing X79 Series Motherboard models.
- Gigabyte's commitment to service excellence will not be compromised. The GIGABYTE X79 Series Motherboards offer an unprecedented 5 year warranty, the longest offered in the industry. We encourage users to register for this FREE 5 year warranty here: http://e-service.gigabyte.com/Productregistration/webevent/ExtendWarranty_US.aspx
- If any existing user is still unsatisfied after the recommended firmware (BIOS) update of their X79 Series Motherboard, Gigabyte will offer an unconditional replacement of their X79 Series Motherboard (same model). No Questions Asked.
As to the BIOS update, there are reports that it throttles the CPU when pushed too far, which will prevent things from burning up, but also gimps the boards' overclocking potential.
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What about any questions asked for a complete refund ? Since it is an expensive piece of hardware that does not work as intended. Sure a BIOS update by the user may work but the limited OC potential afterwards is not acceptable., for GB maybe.but for an enthusiast user nope GB still reserves the right to change the 5 year warranty at anytime. maybe better quality control from GB on boards for the enthusiast user that is quite likely to maximize performance potential with this platform would have been the compromise in the first place.A real compromise to cover all scenarios if purchased from a reliable vendor might be the customers option for a complete refund. |
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Considering what the cost of these enthusiast mainboards is, they should work as they were advertised to do.
Someone I know had problems with a new X79 Gigabyte board and had to return it. He ended up with an ASRock board and never looked back. Gigabyte had better get their ducks all in a row before they get a bad reputation with this series of boards. |
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Did they say how limited the new BIOS would be as to overclocking? |
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Ouch, It is very bad news. Thanks for bring that up. I'm glad that guy caught it on time and shut down quickly and get replace new X79 motherboard. |
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Lulz, gotta love all the armchair bandits in this thread. http://hothardware.com/News/Gigabyte-X79UD3-Motherboard-Obliterates-X79-Overclocking-Record-with-F7-BIOS/ Herp Derp? |
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5 years is not the longest in the industry either... EVGA offers lifetime warranties on some of their boards. Total BS they should be doing a voluntary recall of these boards. Most users who bought this board will have a problem because they will not be doing this kind of extreme overclocking but for those users who plan on doing it they should be able to send the board back. |
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Hot damn that looks serious. |
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Rump Roooo.............. |
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