Another case is causing a stir in the PC community. A user reports that his Ryzen 7 9800X3D has been destroyed for the second time on the same ASRock X870 RS Pro WiFi motherboard. The incident joins a growing list of similar reports where Ryzen 9000 series processors, especially the X3D models, have been irreparably damaged on ASRock boards.

Reddit user u/ShendonZ described how his first 9800X3D gave up the ghost after about two and a half months. The processor was replaced by AMD as part of an RMA, which initially gave hope. However, the replacement chip hardly survived any longer: after a comparable period of use, it also died without warning. The user was frustrated and stated that he regretted not having replaced the motherboard immediately after the first defect.

It is particularly explosive that ShendonZ had already used the BIOS version 3.25 from May 2025 recommended by ASRock. According to the manufacturer, this version was supposed to improve stability and eliminate a previously suspected problem with Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO). However, the update apparently did not remedy the situation. The user had deliberately avoided later BIOS versions such as 3.30 or 3.40, as new instabilities were reported several times in forums.

The description of the defect is similar to previous incidents. After weeks of stable operation, the system suddenly no longer starts, the CPU shows no signs of life and a replacement is unavoidable. Initial suspicions point to a faulty power supply or an inadequate protection mechanism against voltage peaks, which particularly affects the sensitive X3D models. These processors are known to have a tighter thermal and electrical limit, as the 3D-V cache places additional demands on the voltage regulation.

Independent hardware testers are also faced with a conundrum. Gamers Nexus is currently investigating several similar cases and is collecting affected hardware in order to reproduce the problem. According to the user report, Steve Burke from Gamers Nexus has offered to purchase both the defective CPUs and the affected ASRock mainboard in order to carry out a technical analysis. The aim is to find out whether the cause lies in the BIOS, in the hardware architecture of the power supply or in a combination of both.

ASRock itself continues to deny that there is a fundamental problem with its own mainboards. According to the manufacturer, the difficulties have been eliminated with the latest BIOS versions. However, there are more and more counter-examples that suggest the opposite. Many users report that their processors stop working despite the latest firmware versions, sometimes without any signs of overheating or unstable behavior beforehand.

The discussion within the community continues to escalate. Some users are now sarcastically referring to ASRock boards as “murder boards”, as the accumulation of cases shows a conspicuous pattern. Others suspect an unfavorable combination of BIOS implementation, PBO regulation and the sensitive structure of the X3D chips. AMD itself has so far been reluctant to comment and refers to the support process as part of the warranty provisions.

Conclusion

The repeated CPU deaths on ASRock motherboards with Ryzen 9000 processors raise considerable questions about the reliability of the platform. Users of X3D models in particular should currently exercise caution and, if in doubt, use a board from another manufacturer until the cause has been clarified beyond doubt. As long as neither AMD nor ASRock provide a technical explanation, the trust of many users will remain damaged. The ongoing investigations by Gamers Nexus could be decisive in finally understanding why certain ASRock boards apparently continue to endanger the sensitive Ryzen X3D processors.

Source: wccftech.com