The released AGESA 1.2.0.3a Patch A improves 1R and 2R DDR5 compatibility on AMD 800 series motherboards, enhancing performance slightly.
MSI Rolls Out Patch A-Equipped AGESA 1.2.0.3a Update for B850 Motherboards, X870/X870E is in the Queue as Well
The popular motherboard manufacturer, MSI, has today rolled out a new BIOS update for its budget AMD 800 series motherboards. As spotted by @g01d3nm4ng0, the new AGESA 1.2.0.3a is out for select 800 series motherboards, including X870 and B850. I checked and found out that currently, only MSI B850 motherboards have received this new BIOS update, which is released under Version: 7E56v1A41.
The AGESA 1.2.0.3a with Patch A should soon roll out to X870 and X870E motherboards as it offers improved memory support with the AMD 800 series platform. As per the release notes, this update aims to improve the compatibility of DDR5 single and dual-rank memories in various configurations as follows:
- AGESA PI-1.2.0.3a Patch A released.
- Optimized the memory compatibility of single rank (1R) under 2DPC configuration.
- Optimized the memory compatibility of dual rank (2R) under 1DPC configuration.\
There are no specific details as to how the new BIOS update will affect the compatibility of single and dual-rank DDR5 memories, but going by how motherboard and memory makers are focusing on pushing memory speeds to new heights while delivering lower latency, the new update could make overclocking memories easier as well as allow better compatibility with the existing DDR5 memory modules on the X870 and B850 motherboards.
Single-rank memory modules are those that have the memory chips only on one side and enjoy better compatibility, higher speeds, and low latency. Dual-rank memories have chips on both sides and are also ideal for overclocking but are aimed at increasing the overall memory capacity. The single rank or 1R memory in 2DPC (2 DIMMs Per Channel) configuration is achieved by installing two memory sticks per memory channel and the 2R memory in 1DPC (1 DIMM Per Channel) is achieved when a single memory stick is installed per memory channel.
As per the release notes, the new BIOS update should optimize such configurations on AMD B850 motherboards and may deliver slight improvement in select applications. To apply the new BIOS patch 1.2.0.3a, users will have to download the update from MSI's official website from their motherboard's support page.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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