ASRock X870 Motherboard Issues: Users Report Gray Marks on AMD Ryzen 9 9950X CPU Pins

Recently, another instance of a deceased Ryzen 9 9950X CPU has surfaced, marking another incident involving a non-X3D variant paired with an ASRock motherboard.

Fatal Incident with Ryzen 9 9950X on ASRock X870 Steel Legend: Reported Damage and Concerns

ASRock motherboards have increasingly been associated with the failures of Ryzen 9000 processors. While other motherboards in the market have also contributed to CPU fatalities, ASRock has become notoriously prominent in this regard, allegedly responsible for nearly 200 reported deaths of AMD’s Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. The actual number of affected CPUs could be significantly higher when considering unreported incidents.

9950x dead 💀 pic.twitter.com/0renoLImTt

— Tech YES (@TechYESCity) May 7, 2025

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has garnered attention for its susceptibility to failure within the Ryzen 9000 series, yet it’s important to note that other CPUs, including both X3D and non-X3D variants, have encountered similar problems. Recently, YouTuber Tech Yes City shared his experience with a malfunctioning Ryzen 9 9950X. Although he has yet to determine the specific cause, his setup included the ASRock X870 Steel Legend motherboard, which has a troubling reputation.

The occurrence of Ryzen CPUs failing when paired with ASRock motherboards is becoming alarmingly commonplace. Bryan, from Tech Yes City, showcased noticeable damage on his Ryzen 9 9950X, with certain pins exhibiting grey discoloration, indicative of burn marks that could result from excessive voltage. In a separate case, a user reported similar burn marks on their Ryzen 7800X3D; however, after a thorough cleaning, the CPU remained operational.

The evidence of CPU failures due to ASRock boards is mounting, particularly with the Ryzen 9800X3D, where outcomes vary: some CPUs have ceased functioning while others continue to work. The lack of thorough investigation into these issues raises concerns. ASRock has suggested that debris in the CPU socket may be a contributing factor, but it is questionable whether such a high incidence can be attributed solely to user error.

Hey @TechYESCity My 9800x3d with x670e as rock steel legend. Since latest bios updates my board has been treating my CPU like a 170w 9950x3d. Temps and power draw through the roof, even with pbo disabled 170w draw in battlefield titles.

Backonfirst 9800x3d bios, fixed. Related?

— FR33THY (@fr33thytweaks) May 7, 2025

In a concerning anecdote, a user reported extreme power consumption from their Ryzen 7 9800X3D running on an ASRock X670E Steel Legend motherboard, indicating that the board had been delivering 170W to the processor following a recent BIOS update. This raises significant questions about the reliability of ASRock’s BIOS management and its impact on CPU longevity. To date, there have been at least 157 reported fatalities of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, most linked to ASRock’s motherboards.

Update and summary on the dead 9800X3Ds by u/natty_overlord in ASRock

Moreover, reports indicate eight known instances of Ryzen 9950X3D deaths, with seven of these occurrences involving ASRock motherboards. Concerningly, 16 cases of fatalities related to non-X3D Ryzen 9000 CPUs have also been reported, with a significant majority happening on ASRock boards. This correlation strongly suggests a systemic issue, shedding light on potential defects in ASRock motherboard designs.

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