“Latency Killer” Introduced to MSI Latest X870 BIOS

Just got a new BIOS v1A13 for MSI MEG X870E GOLDLIKE featuring a new BIOS item “Latency Killer” that can reduce memory latency.

AMD has released three AGESA revisions recently including AGESA 1.2.0.2, AGESA 1.2.0.2a and AGESA 1.2.0.2b. AGESA 1.2.0.2a is release for optimized Ryzen 7 9800X3D performance.

Howerver the memory latency of AGESA 1.2.0.2a has higher memory latency than 1.2.0.2. The difference can reach 10ns. AGESA 1.2.0.2b has higher latency as AGESA 1.2.0.2a.

The “Latency Killer” from MSI looks to reduce the memory latency of AGESA 1.2.0.2b, and let the latency go back to the same as 1.2.0.2.

12% Lower Latency with Latency Killer Enabled

My quick tests shows the latency of my Kingston DDR5 16GBx2 running at DDR5–6000 CL30–36–36–76 is 78.5ns. With “Latency Killer” enabled, the latency is reduced to 69.4ns, a 9.1ns (-12%) difference.

AGESA 1.2.0.2 — The AIDA64 Memory Latency is 70.2ns.

AGESA 1.2.0.2b — the latency 78.5ns.

AGESA 1.2.0.2b with “Latency Killer” — Latency 70.8ns