I’d been suffering with constant CTDs, especially in MSFS 2024 which I just could not figure out why. The Event Viewer kept showing .Net Runtime error seconds before the CTD would occur, like the below:
I spoke to the tech support of the company who built my PC, and they said apparently this was a common error with older BIOS versions for ASUS and they invited me to update my BIOS to latest. Since doing that, my constant CTDs have finally stopped!
I thought I’d share for those others it might help.
Below is the instructions for how I updated my BIOS (I did it using a USB stick)
To update your BIOS there are some quick and easy instructions on the Asus website.
Here is a link to the BIOS page for your motherboard, there is a link for version 1805 near the top, download that one then follow the instructions in the ASUS support page.
For users that don’t have ASUS, you should be able to find the same sort of instructions and BIOS update for your respective PC setup.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Judging by the fact that you’re using an Z790 motherboard, I assume you’re running an Intel CPU - would you mind sharing which one exactly? Also, do you happen to remember which BIOS version you had installed before the update?
I’m happy for you and wouldn’t want to dampen your excitement, but I do feel the need to mention something important. Your 14900K may have been affected by vcore fluctuations—those sudden voltage jumps could potentially degrade CPU over time and lead to CTDs. The microcode error causing these issues was addressed in BIOS versions 1656 and later (from April). If you were still running an older BIOS without this fix until now, there’s a strong possibility that your CPU might have already incurred some damage.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the BIOS update may have lowered your processor’s performance by enforcing certain limitations - that Intel likely introduced as a trade-off to ensure system stability and prevent further CTDs. This means that while you’re not experiencing CTDs any longer, the update might have come at the cost of some overall performance.
Intel might be able to replace your processor if you approach them directly, or if you bought your PC from a company, you could try contacting them first. I can offer some help here - I’ve had a similar experience where Intel refunded me and I learned the proper way to write to them so that your claim won’t be rejected if you decide to pursue it.
Let me know if you’d like more details on how to proceed.
Not even a BIOS update can truly fix a processor that’s already sustained even slight damage. Once that degradation has occurred, firmware updates can only mitigate further issues but won’t reverse any physical harm already done.
Yes, there are programs you can use for stress testing and benchmarking your CPU - Cinebench R23 is a good example. You might consider testing with BIOS version 1641 after disabling the CPU power limits and then running the test again on the latest BIOS version with the default settings recommended by Intel. This comparison should help identify any performance degradation.
Keep in mind that these tests won’t definitively prove whether your CPU is damaged. However, if you were experiencing CTDs before and they’ve now disappeared, there’s a strong likelihood that some damage has occurred. This is one of the reasons why Intel extended the warranty on the i9 13900K and 14900K from three to five years.
Thank you very much for sharing all of this information with me. I will take a look into it and run some tests but seeing as my PC is under warranty still with the company that built it, I will likely just request the CPU even if it appears to now be running without issue.
FYI, after more than 30 years I switched from Intel to AMD because I felt that Intel deceived us. My i9 13900K was among a group of CPUs that might have been affected by a manufacturing defect alongside a microcode issue - something that Intel kept under wraps for a long time until Gamers Nexus brought it into the spotlight.
I reached out to Intel support and they refunded me without any hassles. I ended up buying a Ryzen 7 7800X3D paired with an MSI X670E Tomahawk wifi motherboard and now I’m running a Ryzen 7 9800X3D with an MSI X870E Carbon wifi motherboard. Since making the switch, I haven’t experienced any major issues.
I have the same CPU (although it’s a KF) and motherboard as you and got an RMA for the CPU. I updated the BIOS as soon as I could and it’s been running great.
Reading this thread and I have some questions. I have an i9-13900K, Z690, 4070ti , 64 gb @5600. Been getting constant CTD’s with MS24 specifically USA scenery (some payware). Other areas like Mexico minimal to no CTD’s. I’ve tried everything and can’t figure it out. I feel like its progressively gotten worse. Several BSOD’s as well. I’ve tried different drivers etc to no avail. MSFS 2020 runs flawless which really confuses me. Any help or direction is greatly appreciated.
Did a BIOS update just like I did every other ‘fix’ still CTD in Menus always has been issues with their streaming as the few times it rain in the past is was smooth so PC more than adequate and on full fibre
Just because MSI hasn’t yet released the Intel microcode update 0x12F for the PRO B760-VC WIFI II doesn’t mean the fix isn’t already out there for other MSI boards. For example, MSI has just published a new BIOS for the Z790 CARBON WIFI that includes the 0x12F microcode update.
Hi all, just reading the stuff above. I am running a I.14900 kf and have an occacianally CTD and even BSOD’s too. Weird though it only seems to happen with the PC-24 ???
My 14900 (2nd) is ok after RMA the first one in november last year. Running on the latest Bios and didn’t apply any overclock. Also did run cinebench R23 and 24 both for 30 min. and run OCCT a couple of times. No issues.
After SU1 the BSOD’s started to occure, before the update I had none. CTD’s seems to be rather common I guess
Most time the sim running very smoothly and no issues
I’m not going to go looking for it, but somewhere someone tested the i9-14900KF before updating the microcode and after updating the microcode and there wasn’t any difference in his benchmark testing. So opinions are mixed. And yes I understand the factors involved that may have contributed to his testing and his testing might not apply to everyone.
I bought my desktop from Dell and it’s an Alienware R16 with the 14900KF and it was delivered on 12-1-2024. I knew about the processor issue before I ordered it so one of the first things I did was update the bios even though it already had one of the microcode patches.
On May 2nd, Dell released a bios update but they made no mention of a microcode update as they have with previous bios updates.
I have benchmarked the processor using 3DMark and it is in the top 95% even though that’s considered average using that benchmark. However I haven’t benchmarked since the most recent bios update.
I do thank you for your info and thoughts as I am sure many are not aware this series of processors has an issue. In my case I hope I dodged a bullet.
I would request an RMA regardless. As @TenPatrol pointed out, your processor might have been damaged and won’t be noticed until later. If they don’t comply try requesting directly from Intel. From what I have read it’s an easy process.
