Solving the AMD USB Disconnection Issue: Disabling C-States

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Frustrating USB Disconnection Issue
3. Understanding C States
4. Disabling C States and its Impact on the Issue
5. Responses from Gigabyte and Aria PC
6. testing the Effectiveness of Disabling C States
7. The Importance of BIOS and Driver Updates
8. Changes in the BIOS and App Features
9. AMD's Response and the Waiting Game
10. Alternative Solutions for the USB Disconnection Issue
11. Conclusion

🖊️Article:

Introduction

Hey guys! It's been about a week since I last talked about the frustrating USB disconnection issue that has been affecting a large percentage of AMD motherboards, such as the Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master. Today, I want to delve into the topic of C states and whether disabling them in your BIOS can resolve this problem. Additionally, I'll discuss the responses I received from Gigabyte and Aria PC, the retailer where I purchased my motherboard.

The Frustrating USB Disconnection Issue

In my previous videos, I detailed the USB disconnection issue that I was experiencing and the workaround for it, which involved dropping the PCI Express setting from Auto or Gen 4 to Gen 3. However, this solution resulted in a significant drop in read and write speeds for my Gen 4 SSD. This issue became a major problem for me, as USB is the primary way to connect various devices to my computer, including hard drives, webcams, and headsets.

Understanding C States

Before diving into the potential solution, let's understand what C states are. C states refer to the different power modes of the CPU that help save energy when the CPU is idle. These modes, collectively known as C states, involve reducing or turning off specific functions of the CPU. Each CPU has multiple power modes, ranging from C0 (fully turned on) to C6 (the lowest power mode).

Disabling C States and its Impact on the Issue

Recently, a comment from the YouTube Channel "Hardcore Overclocking" caught my attention. The commenter claimed that disabling C states in the BIOS could resolve the USB disconnection issue without compromising the use of Gen 4 PCIe. Although I initially believed I had already tried this solution, I realized I hadn't tested it myself. After spending several hours troubleshooting, I disabled C states in my BIOS to verify its effectiveness.

Responses from Gigabyte and Aria PC

To address the issue, I reached out to Gigabyte and Aria PC for support. Gigabyte's response was disappointing, suggesting simply dropping down to Gen 3 without acknowledging the impact on Gen 4 capabilities. On the other HAND, Aria PC recognized the reported issues with B550 and X570 boards but highlighted that BIOS updates typically resolve such problems. They recommended keeping the BIOS up to date and assured me that the issue would eventually be resolved.

Testing the Effectiveness of Disabling C States

Following the suggestion from "Hardcore Overclocking," I conducted tests with C states disabled. Initially, it seemed that the issue was resolved, and I was able to Record a 10-minute video without any disconnection problems. However, after further testing, the problem resurfaced, indicating that disabling C states did not fully resolve the USB disconnection issue for me. It's important to note that my specific usage, involving high bandwidth from multiple cameras, might require different solutions.

The Importance of BIOS and Driver Updates

While some BIOS and driver updates have been released, I have not personally witnessed any significant improvements. It is worth mentioning that a peculiar change occurred in the Gigabyte app, where the Eco mode option disappeared after a recent BIOS update. However, the Eco mode remains available in the AMD Ryzen Master software, indicating a potential issue with the app or a specific BIOS version. Further investigation is required to determine if these changes are related to the USB disconnection issue.

Changes in the BIOS and App Features

Though I didn't modify any settings in the Ryzen Master software, I noticed the presence of an Eco mode. However, enabling or disabling this mode did not produce noticeable differences for me. While these overclocking and voltage regulation tools provide extensive options, they are unable to resolve the USB disconnection issue at hand. It is essential to remain cautious when making changes to BIOS settings without proper guidance or understanding.

AMD's Response and the Waiting Game

AMD has acknowledged the USB disconnection issue and is actively working on a solution. However, the response from both Gigabyte and Aria PC indicates that we must play the waiting game for the issue to be resolved. It is frustrating to face such a significant problem without a concrete resolution in sight. Switching to an Intel motherboard might seem like an alternative, but for users requiring the power of AMD's Ryzen CPUs, it is not a viable option.

Alternative Solutions for the USB Disconnection Issue

For those experiencing the USB disconnection issue, dropping down to Gen 3 appears to be the most straightforward solution. However, this may adversely affect users with Gen 4 SSDs or other Gen 4 devices. Another potential workaround is to use a Thunderbolt 3 adapter or a USB card to bypass the motherboard's USB ports. This solution could be particularly useful for those without an available Thunderbolt 3 connection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the USB disconnection issue plaguing AMD motherboards continues to frustrate users. While disabling C states might provide relief for some, it did not resolve the issue completely for me. With limited support and warranty responses from Gigabyte and Aria PC, we remain reliant on AMD and third-party manufacturers to address the issue through BIOS updates and driver fixes. It is essential to remain patient and stay updated on the latest developments in resolving this persistent problem.

🔍 Highlights:

• Frustrating USB disconnection issue affecting AMD motherboards
• Understanding C states and their impact on power modes
• Disabling C states as a potential solution
• Disappointing responses from Gigabyte and Aria PC
• Testing the effectiveness of disabling C states
• Importance of BIOS and driver updates
• Changes in BIOS and app features
• AMD's response and the waiting game for a resolution
• Alternative solutions for the USB disconnection issue
• Continuing frustration and reliance on manufacturers for fixes

FAQ:

Q: What is the USB disconnection issue affecting AMD motherboards? A: The USB disconnection issue refers to a problem where USB connections on AMD motherboards frequently disconnect, causing inconvenience and disruption for users.

Q: What are C states? A: C states are power modes of the CPU that help save energy when the CPU is idle by reducing or turning off specific functions.

Q: Does disabling C states resolve the USB disconnection issue? A: Disabling C states might resolve the issue for some users, but it may not have a significant impact on others, depending on their specific usage and hardware configuration.

Q: What responses did Gigabyte and Aria PC provide? A: Gigabyte initially suggested dropping down to Gen 3 without acknowledging the impact on Gen 4 capabilities. Aria PC acknowledged the reported issues but recommended keeping BIOS up to date and awaiting a resolution from AMD.

Q: Are there alternative solutions for the USB disconnection issue? A: Dropping down to Gen 3 is the most straightforward solution. Alternatively, using a Thunderbolt 3 adapter or a USB card to bypass the motherboard's USB ports can address the issue for some users.

Resources:

• Hardcore Overclocking YouTube Channel
• Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master
• AMD Ryzen Master Software