XPS 8930, i9-9900k CPU upgrade, failed

Question

I upgraded my CPU i5-8400 to i9-9900k. Bios was latest 1.16...  Plugged in PSU and get 2 blinks followed by 3 blinks.  I checked all connections and I was very careful with the CPU. Any ideas?

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

Hope OP can boot from 9900k.

XPS8930 was first released in October 2017, original stock 8th gen.

9th gen i9-9900k or i7-9700k was released 1 year later in October 2018.

Re: all BIOS revisions since around November 2018 included the 9th gen microcode. correct.

Early 8930 bios 1.01-1.013 (up to Aug 2018) did not support 9th gen. In Nov 2018 bios update 1.1.3, Enhancements:

- Enhanced to support Intel i9-9900K, i7-9700K and i5-9600K processors.

Q: Z370 chipset cpu OC features locked/ grayed out in XPS 8930 bios?

A: community user reported it is not grayed out, but apparently quite limited.

It is a known fact mainstream oriented Dell XPS is not ASUS or extremely friendly to overclocker. average XPS user may get an iota of OC without freedom to wreck the system.

service manual for system setup:

Performance Options
	Overclocking Feature
		Core Over Clocking Level	Allows you enable or disable the processor to adjust the flex ratio and voltage in a turbo mode environment.
		Core Ratio Limit Override	Allows you to set the core ratio limit.
		Single Core	Allows you to select single core or multiple cores.
		Core Voltage Mode	Allows you to select between adaptive and override voltage modes.
		Core Voltage Offset	Allows you to set the override value of core voltage.
		Long Duration PWR Limit	Allows you to set the turbo mode power limit.
		Short Duration PWR Limit Options	Allows you to set the turbo mode power limit.

redxps630 · Answer

Try put i5-8400 back carefully.  Does it still post?  If yes try update to the latest 1.1.17 bios.  Then try i9-9900k again.  User reported this cpu is supported in 8930.  If i5-8400 causes blinks too, try clear CMOs settings.  Replace CMOs battery with a brand new one never hurts either.

Bakertys7706 · Answer

Yes, thank you I did reinstall the i5 and still had the blinks.  Will replace CMOS battery, but how do I flash bios when the machine won't post?  Thanks Again. Service Tag [redacted]. Service Code [redacted]

redxps630 · Answer

Try clear CMOs settings via motherboard jumper reset

no need to flash bios until i5-8400 can post.

btw, bios 1.1.16 should support i9-9900k. User report was run in 01/21. Bios 1.1.17 was released in 06/21.

r72019 · Answer

@redxps630 wrote:

Try clear CMOs settings via motherboard jumper reset

no need to flash bios until i5-8400 can post.

btw, bios 1.1.16 should support i9-9900k. User report was run in 01/21. Bios 1.1.17 was released in 06/21.

8930 was sold stock with 9900K (of course, with required upgrades like the air cooler in particular).

Anyway, all BIOS revisions since around November 2018 included the 9th gen microcode. If it were a KS that might be problematic.

r72019 · Answer

As an aside, if you do get it working, my recollection is that that the 8930s with unlocked 9th gen CPUs shipped with a special blower design air cooler due to the higher TDP.  You may experience overheating issues if you don't look into that.   Another aside, you might consider whether your PSU (460W?) can support a 9900K, considering your other components including the GPU.  But, I guess as a mitigating factor the board is locked (if I recall correctly) so you can't overclock the 9900K.

r72019 · Answer

2-3 is CPU, board or RAM failure.  If clearing CMOS doesn't work, check for bent pins on the board, and thermal paste on the socket.

r72019 · Answer

@Bakertys7706 wrote:

Yes, thank you I did reinstall the i5 and still had the blinks. Will replace CMOS battery, but how do I flash bios when the machine won't post? Thanks Again.

Service Tag [ditto]

Service Code [don't post this here]

This is a public forum, this information shouldn't be posted here for troubleshooting. You can email it to the Dell Cares Bot in response to the PM. I am going to redact your prior post.

ebommi · Answer

My computer came with the i9-900k, a few days ago, it died like someone had cut the power off...aftrer that I couldn't I couldn't even get the light to on the powerbutton to work. I replaced the power button module, still nothing. Replaced the motherboard, now the LED on the PSU and the top fan comes on when I plug the cable into the PSU then stops. When I push the power button, it lights amber then after a long pause, it will begin blinking 2,3 . Reset the CMOS, after pushing the power button, I get 2, 1 . Remove the power cord from the PSU, hit power button, goes back to 2,3 .
I've reset the CMOS numerous times, I've held ESC/CTL and pushed the button.....after a long pause, goes back to 2, 3.
I have two questions because I can't find any reference in the Service Manual.

1. in the pin group for password reset and CMOS reset, there's three more pins labled P217 SERVICE MODE, then 1*2 PIN: DISABLE 2*3pin: DEFAULT

2. Moving right from the previous set of pins, on the other side of the CARD_READER connection, there is a , is there's set of jumpers on the other side of the CARD_READER there's a label saying ROM_RECOVERY and to the right of that are 11 pins, 6 on top and 5 on the bottom like this:
. . . . . .
. . . . .

the bottom row has three pins, skips one, then two more. There's a jumper on the second to last pins like this

....|.
... |.
There's no documentation for the SERVICE_MODE or ROM_RECOVER pins...

tigerwife · Answer

update to latest BIOS

XPS Desktops

XPS 8930, i9-9900k CPU upgrade, failed

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