MSI recently released BIOS upgrades for their Intel 700 and 600 series motherboards, offering a new option to deactivate the CEP (Current Excursion Protection) feature. By turning off this feature, CPUs can run at lower voltages and temperatures without sacrificing performance, which is great news for gamers and enthusiasts looking to maximise their system's potential.
CEP is a feature that helps prevent system instability caused by inadequate CPU voltage. However, depending on the platform and combinations employed, it can sometimes result in a performance loss, so users may choose to disable it to get the most out of their system.
MSI has published beta BIOS patches for most of the Z790 and specific B760 and H610 motherboards that allow users to disable CEP. If you want to update your motherboard's BIOS, you can find the update on the official motherboard support page. However, note that only 14th generation K series CPUs currently enable the deactivation of CEP, with the rest of the processors needing a BIOS upgrade to turn off the functionality. The CPU and chipset support matrix is shown below. The table below indicates which motherboards already have a beta BIOS update that allows you to disable CEP:
Marketing Name | BIOS Version |
MEG Z790 GODLIKE MAX | 7D85vA32(Beta version) |
MEG Z790 GODLIKE | 7D85v192(Beta version) |
MEG Z790 ACE MAX | 7D86vA32(Beta version) |
MEG Z790 ACE | 7D86v1A2(Beta version) |
MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI | 7D89vA34(Beta version) |
MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II | 7D89vA34(Beta version) |
MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI | 7D89v1B3(Beta version) |
MPG Z790 EDGE TI MAX WIFI | 7E25v141(Beta version) |
MPG Z790 EDGE WIFI | 7D91vHB2(Beta version) |
MPG Z790I EDGE WIFI | 7E03v1A1(Beta version) |
MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI | 7D91vHB2(Beta version) |
Z790MPOWER | 7E01vP13(Beta version) |
PRO Z790-A MAX WIFI | 7E07vM31(Beta version) |
PRO Z790-A WIFI | 7E07vAA1(Beta version) |
PRO Z790-P WIFI | 7E06vAC1(Beta version) |
PRO Z790-P | 7E06vAC1(Beta version) |
MPG B760M EDGE TI WIFI | 7E11v141(Beta version) |
MPG B760I EDGE WIFI | 7D40vA71(Beta version) |
MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI | 7D96vA81(Beta version) |
MAG B760M MORTAR WIFI II | 7E13v151(Beta version) |
MAG B760M MORTAR II | 7E13v151(Beta version) |
MAG B760M MORTAR MAX WIFI | 7E01vH81(Beta version) |
MAG B760M MORTAR WIFI | 7E01vM81(Beta version) |
MAG B760M MORTAR | 7E01vM81(Beta version) |
B760M PROJECT ZERO | 7E14v131(Beta version) |
B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI | 7D98vH72(Beta version) |
B760M GAMING PLUS WIFI | 7D99vH31(Beta version) |
PRO H610M-C EX | 7D56v1H1(Beta version) |
PRO H610M-E | 7D48vI61(Beta version) |
MSI is now working hard to issue further BIOS upgrades for the next wave of motherboards, including the remaining B760 and 600 series, which are set to be released in late March.
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KitGuru says: Is your motherboard on the list? Will you be testing out your system with CEP disabled?