MSI Bios settings?

[Ripper-X-]

For gaming, I have a i9 14900k cpu on a MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI mobo & just updated the bios to version 7D91vHH (released 2025-08-29).
I have the bios set to default & ram at 7000mt/s, (xmp is 7200 & 7400 but I had to lower to 7000 as it would crash in games at 7200). Is there a anything I should change to make sure I'm getting the most out of the cpu without running into issues with the cpu knowing the history of issues it has, or is there a recommended up to date guide I should follow?

I had previously updated the bios late 2024 to version 7D91vHE & the pc was running pretty well, odd crash here & there but nothing of concern, I might of changed some settings back then but don't really remember, I don't usually mess with setting so being a bit cautious, thanks.

 

[Rroff]

The Intel Performance profile should be safe as far as it goes - don't use the Extreme one if you are concerned about potential degradation. The default profile holds the CPU back a bit.

 

[Ripper-X-]

The Intel Performance profile should be safe as far as it goes - don't use the Extreme one if you are concerned about potential degradation. The default profile holds the CPU back a bit.

is that all you think needs doing? I was thinking more of an in depth guide up to date guide as the one's I have seen are quite old, maybe they would still apply now tho I'm not sure.

 

[Rroff]

is that all you think needs doing? I was thinking more of an in depth guide up to date guide as the one's I have seen are quite old, maybe they would still apply now tho I'm not sure.

There is probably other stuff worth tweaking but selecting the Intel Performance profile will override a lot of other settings. And TBH I'm not hands on familiar with the MSI 790 BIOS.

In theory it should be possible with some tweaking to get the RAM running at at least 7200 as well - though I've seen a fair few posts where people just can't get 7200 or higher stable despite trying a few kits even though the board is officially rated to run 7200.

 

[Ripper-X-]

There is probably other stuff worth tweaking but selecting the Intel Performance profile will override a lot of other settings. And TBH I'm not hands on familiar with the MSI 790 BIOS.

In theory it should be possible with some tweaking to get the RAM running at at least 7200 as well - though I've seen a fair few posts where people just can't get 7200 or higher stable despite trying a few kits even though the board is officially rated to run 7200.

Ok I will try the Intel Performance profile & see how it goes, what about the Extreme or Enhanced Turbo setting should that be turned off?

 

[Ripper-X-]

Also, do you guys turn off windows vbs to help with gaming fps, or is it not worth the risk?

 

[Tetras]

Enhanced Turbo setting

Looks like it is equivalent to MCE on Asus boards, which forces all cores to run at max boost clock. I'd leave it off.

Extreme

I can't find a description of what that does.

Also, do you guys turn off windows vbs to help with gaming fps, or is it not worth the risk?

If this is just a gaming PC and you want maximum FPS at all times, then turn it off. Personally, I leave it enabled.

is that all you think needs doing? I was thinking more of an in depth guide up to date guide as the one's I have seen are quite old, maybe they would still apply now tho I'm not sure.

I think JayzTwoCents made a video about the default overclocks, but not sure how relevant it is now, since I'm guessing the Intel profile turns a lot of this stuff off.

 

[Ripper-X-]

Looks like it is equivalent to MCE on Asus boards, which forces all cores to run at max boost clock. I'd leave it off.


I can't find a description of what that does.


If this is just a gaming PC and you want maximum FPS at all times, then turn it off. Personally, I leave it enabled.


I think JayzTwoCents made a video about the default overclocks, but not sure how relevant it is now, since I'm guessing the Intel profile turns a lot of this stuff off.

Thank you..

 

[Ripper-X-]

What do you think of the advice given in this video, is it good advice & something worth trying?

 

[Tetras]

What do you think of the advice given in this video, is it good advice & something worth trying?

The first part: setting the cooler type (which actually just sets the power limits).

I think that's controlled by the Intel profiles now, so if you're using one of those it would be redundant.

Disabling enhanced turbo: yeah, I agree.

Undervolting with an offset: in principle I don't see why not (if you're stability testing and aware of symptoms if not stable, which I didn't notice him mention how to do that?).

The last time I was keeping track of the degradation issues, I watched a video by buildzoid and from what I can remember, if you changed (m)any settings in the BIOS manually it actually disabled the mitigations. I don't know if that's still the case, but since I can't say either way, my recommendation would be: either do a full manual over/underclock, or just use an Intel profile.

In terms of the benefits/worth doing: it really depends on your usage.

If you're just a gamer, the CPU is not throttling or using mega power when you're gaming and I'd expect you're not doing that more than a few hours a day, so there's limited use to it.

If you're running heavily multithreaded for long periods (e.g. regular 1+ hour of fully multithreaded) then yes, tweaking the power limits and undervolting is worth the effort.

You can keep hwinfo open and see what your CPU is doing and decide how comfortable you are with the power draw/temps.

If I had one of these CPUs and I was a gamer, I'd be using the slowest profile or mega power limiting it. If the PC was a workstation, then I'd be doing the same, except for maximum efficiency.

If you're into FPS/esports then you're unlikely to do either of those things and I'd just leave it on a standard profile.

 

[Ripper-X-]

The first part: setting the cooler type (which actually just sets the power limits).

I think that's controlled by the Intel profiles now, so if you're using one of those it would be redundant.

Disabling enhanced turbo: yeah, I agree.

Undervolting with an offset: in principle I don't see why not (if you're stability testing and aware of symptoms if not stable, which I didn't notice him mention how to do that?).

The last time I was keeping track of the degradation issues, I watched a video by buildzoid and from what I can remember, if you changed (m)any settings in the BIOS manually it actually disabled the mitigations. I don't know if that's still the case, but since I can't say either way, my recommendation would be: either do a full manual over/underclock, or just use an Intel profile.

In terms of the benefits/worth doing: it really depends on your usage.

If you're just a gamer, the CPU is not throttling or using mega power when you're gaming and I'd expect you're not doing that more than a few hours a day, so there's limited use to it.

If you're running heavily multithreaded for long periods (e.g. regular 1+ hour of fully multithreaded) then yes, tweaking the power limits and undervolting is worth the effort.

You can keep hwinfo open and see what your CPU is doing and decide how comfortable you are with the power draw/temps.

If I had one of these CPUs and I was a gamer, I'd be using the slowest profile or mega power limiting it. If the PC was a workstation, then I'd be doing the same, except for maximum efficiency.

If you're into FPS/esports then you're unlikely to do either of those things and I'd just leave it on a standard profile.

Ok great thanks for the advice..