[SUCCESS] Gigabyte Designare Z390 (Thunderbolt 3) + i7-9700K + AMD RX 580

[SmackAttack]

@CaseySJ

Hello again! And kudos to your 12th-gen innovations! It's been pretty fun watching all of that!

Non-urgent question here (and apologies for the long read):
You may or may not recall I have three+ builds based on this thread. All have various differences hardware-wise, but the OC/MacOS's are basically the same (OC 7.7, latest Catalina), F9i BIOS, not using Wireless anything, dual 27" monitors running "retina" 2560x1440 via DP.

My main work build has had a Sapphire Vega 64 for a few years (iMacPro1,1 SMBIOS). For the last year or so, I've been getting weird freezes (mouse moves, but computer unresponsive) when the machine is under a large stress. I completely fresh installed Catalina, awhile back thinking it was just the years of use to rule out the OS, but it still occurred. Cut to the chase, I determined that when I disable GPU rendering (AVID MediaComposer/Resolve) the machine is fine, so I started thinking the Vega 64 must be going out. I swapped the Vega 64 into the twin computer (but with only a 650W PSU), and THAT computer's RX590 into mine, and there were no freezes on either machine. I then installed the Vega on my home z390m build, and stress tested it the same way (and also in Windows with Furmark) and the Vega was fine. Then I started thinking my PSU (PowerSpec 750 Bronze) was the issue and maybe was crapping out under heavy load, so I tried again by putting a Radeon VII in the computer, and again, EVERYTHING was fine. The Radeon VII is of course newer/better tech than the Vega, but TDP the should be pretty similar.

Sooo.... there seems to be some issue with the Vega64 on this particular build. I do NOT have any power-play tables/SSDTs installed for it, and I've done away with Radeon Boost awhile back. I've cross-checked all BIOS/OC settings with all the other machines and your vanilla EFI, and all is in alignment. I can't imagine the Vega is pulling MORE power than the Radeon VII, but, really, that's all I have left due to the fact that the Vega performs no problem in two other machines (one with a 650 PSU and one with an 850).

Right now, I'm 100% working fine with the Radeon VII and I really hit it hard to stress test it and I have zero freezes, so I'll probably just stay with that whilst I can (it's better anyway), but my interest is piqued as to the 'why.'

At first I was thinking that perhaps the OS prefers a iMac 19,1 SMBIOS with a Vega, but then, why would it run perfect on the other machines both with iMacPro1,1 (disabled iGPU) configs?

Super weird, right?

No rush,
Thanks as always!
J

 

[CaseySJ]

@SmackAttack,

First of all, kudos for the excellent problem description. You hit every key point, including all the steps you have already taken. If I could “frame” your post, I would.

When you stress tested the questionable Vega 64 on the twin system, I assume the same version of Avid MediaComposer/Resolve was used and the same version of Catalina?

One thing to try (with Vega 64 back in your main system) would be a CMOS Reset followed by configuring BIOS parameters (which get factory-defaulted after CMOS reset).

Another thing to try would be to run memtest to check for any memory issues on the main system. Even though other GPUs worked fine, it’s still good to run a mem test.

By the way, when stressing the Vega 64 in the main system, do the fans ramp to full or otherwise seem to operate abnormally?

 

[jiffyslot]

Hey!
Big Sur or Catalina ?

IMO, Big Sur, but you have to use UAD v9.15.1. I'm really stumped with your issue.

Is the system in question a Gigabyte Z390 Designare with (which processor?) with the 6900XT? What is your system model/config? Do you let your system sleep? Are you connecting the Apollo though a hub?

 

[SmackAttack]

I assume the same version of Avid MediaComposer/Resolve was used and the same version of Catalina?

Yup, identical across the board, identical testing material/projects/connections to storage (we use a Myricom 10GigE card (slot 4--PCH) to connect to a Facilis Terrablock), identical BM Desktop video versions (but differing BM Decklink cards).

CMOS Reset followed by configuring BIOS parameters (which get factory-defaulted after CMOS reset).

I'll try that, thanks!

Another thing to try would be to run memtest

Yup, I did that first! It discovered I had bad RAM, so Crucial is sending me replacements. I'm currently using half the RAM (2x16=32) from the twin machine (which I also ran memtest on and confirmed were good). I also tried disabling all my CPU overclocks, and XMPs.

Side note here; this machine has had the curious quirk that occasionally when you plug a USB drive into one of the front USB ports, you'll get a static jolt, and it'll reboot. I try to be extra careful to avoid that when I can. But it HAS happened quite a few times over the years. I suppose there's just a flaw with my Corsair Carbide case, and that I'd be smart to either find a way to ground those ports or just don't use. Either way, that's probably what damaged my RAM I'm thinking. But perhaps there's something more nefarious that has happened to the MB.... I guess I'm not too worried, b/c like I said, with the RX 590 or the Radeon VII (and the replacement RAM) the machine is 100% solid.

o the fans ramp to full or otherwise seem to operate abnormally?

Nope! Having used this card for so long (esp during the VgTab days) I'm hyper aware of that, but fans have been good since... I dunno, Mojave?

 

[Inqnuam]

macOS Monterey 12.2 with Fenvi BT
After completely disabling SIP AirDrop Handoff and the others functionalities are working again!

 

[SmackAttack]

First of all, kudos for the excellent problem description. You hit every key point, including all the steps you have already taken. If I could “frame” your post, I would.

Also; is it wrong or hyper-geeky (or even a bit creepy) to feel warm inside like a teacher just complemented me on my homework?

You ARE the master! And from witnessing your responses to one and all for so long on so many different threads, a most gracious and patient one, too!

 

[DeBilbao]

Updated to OpenCore 0.7.8 without issues on my macOS Monterey 12.2 setup.

This is my actual EFI folder, in red the files updated today.

The only difference between previous config.plist file and 0.7.8 is an outdated entry in the NVRAM section

Tested first booting from my macOS Montery USB installer and later on updated the EFI folder in my main WD SN750 drive.

So far, everything running smoothly.

 

[oLiMonKeY]

IMO, Big Sur, but you have to use UAD v9.15.1. I'm really stumped with your issue.

Is the system in question a Gigabyte Z390 Designare with (which processor?) with the 6900XT? What is your system model/config? Do you let your system sleep? Are you connecting the Apollo though a hub?

Hello
SO here is my config:
Big Sur 11.6.3
UAD V9.15.1
MotherB Gigabyte z390 Designare
Intel 3,6 GHz Intel Core i9
GPU Radeon Pro 6900XT 16 Go

The Apollo is connected to Motherboard Thunderbolt

The system could sleep without problems. But Apollo s not connected at start

Even my Apollo Solo is not connected

 

[CaseySJ]

...
Yup, I did that first! It discovered I had bad ram, so Crucial is sending me replacements, so I'm currently using half the RAM (2x16=32) from the twin machine (which I also RAM memtest on and confirmed were good). I also tried disabling all my CPU overclocks, and XMPs.

The Vega 64 issue occurs even with bad DIMMs removed?

Side note here; this machine has had the curious quirk that occasionally when you plug a USB drive into one of the front USB ports, you'll get a static jolt and it'll reboot. I try to be extra careful to avoid that when I can, but it HAS happened quite a few times over the years. I suppose there's just a flaw with my Corsair Carbide case and that I'd be smart to either find a way to ground those ports or just don't use. Either way, that's probably what damaged my RAM I'm thinking, but perhaps there's something more nefarious that has happened to the MB.... I guess I'm not too worried, b/c like I said, with the RX 590 or the Radeon VII (and the replacement RAM) the machine is 100% solid.
...

Ouch, is this machine located in a carpeted area, placed directly over carpet or other static-inducing materials? Is there enough humidity in the room? Static electricity can lead to unexpected problems.

 

[SmackAttack]

The Vega 64 issue occurs even with bad DIMMs removed?


Ouch, is this machine located in a carpeted area, placed directly over carpet or other static-inducing materials? Is there enough humidity in the room? Static electricity can lead to unexpected problems.

Yes, occurs without bad DIMMs and verified good DIMMs (based on memtest).

And yeah, it does sit on a carpeted floor, but the behavior has happened when it sat on an isolator, and the case has solid rubber foot pads. Plus, I’m in Colorado=very dry.

J