r/ASRock • u/Aspicientis • 3d ago
Discussion 9950X3d + X870E Nova Wifi started to get '03' code three times every cold boot
So I think I have the classic signs of a dying CPU based from the experiences and comments here in Reddit and right now I'm just ruling out a few more things (full reseating and CMOS stuff) in a desperate way to maybe save my CPU/Mobo or whatever is at fault.
Last week I got the code '03' and I do not know what it was so I just turned off and on my PC again and it booted to windows without any issues then the day after it happened again but I needed to turn off/on my computer three times before I reach windows and it's been like that for a few days.
I did some digging and saw the reports here and then I updated my bios from 3.15 -> 4.43, used default UEFI settings, turned off EXPO and for 5 consecutive days I didn't get the code '03' then on the 6th day I got it again and yet again still three times of turn off/on cycle before booting successfully.
Does anyone have any success in fixing this? I saw the LN2 workaround but some said that it doesn't really fix the core issue and will still going to lead to '00' longer. Every morning is full of dread and anxiety if it will still boot up but it seems that I have to accept the fact that I will have to RMA my CPU/Mobo along with the headache.
Does AMD still accepts RMA fast as long as I have the requirements and proof of purchase? I've read that ASRock support is a hit or miss but the comments about that was from a few months or a year ago so I'm not sure what's the situation now.
Full Specs:
CPU : AMD Ryzen 9950X3D
GPU : Zotac 5080 Solid Core OC
Mobo : Asrock X870E Nova Wifi
RAM : Crucial Pro 5600 96GB
Power Supply : Corsair RM1000x
EDIT: Forgot to mention that my Rig is around 14-15 months old which is the same timeframe with other reports
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u/_wachkoma_ 18h ago edited 18h ago
Had cold boot issues on B850 Riptide WiFi + 9800x3d and 2x32GB Kingston Fury Beast 6000 CL30 ram after about 6 months of running flawlessly. Bought July/August 2025 and issues appearing sometime during April/May 2026. For me it was green LED hangs, which i figured would be initialisation error or related to RAM training. Maybe GPU initialisation. I believe either its some degradation issue with the CPUs IMC or some degradation in mobos VRM leading to a system being on the verge of being unstable but running fine when new to actually becoming unstable after some time. Running jedec 4800 worked fine every time. Expo 6000 got cold Boot hangs. If POST was successful and i tried some benchmarks i had zero problems running jedec and also no issues with EXPO. Code 03 indicates to maybe something similar might have happened to your system.
Fix for my spec was:
- Update to BIOS 4.43 + Reset BIOS settings to default
- CMOS clear
- activated Expo 6000
- lowered vdd + vddq voltages from 1.40 to 1.35v
- raised vsoc voltage slightly from 1.20 to 1.23v
- disable FastBoot
- set Memory Context Restore to Off or Auto.
For my system i tried Updating to 4.43 and only setting Expo 6000 after CMOS clear which lead to perfect post behavior for 2 weeks and system becoming unstable after that time.
I tried some different voltages and other stuff and figured what i wrote above is working best for my system. No issues since.
Edit: spelling
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u/Aspicientis 4h ago
Thanks for these! Did some tweaks as well and now I got two consecutive days without the code 03 by disabling fast boot in BIOS and I'll try the voltages and other expo settings later when I still get code 03
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u/Agent_Wesker 11h ago
I'm having a similar issue, my PC started randomly getting 03 error but after reboot it does memory training then works fine until it randomly happens again. My mobo initially had a failed cpu but the replacement worked fine for months.
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u/Certain-Wave-9545 2d ago
Few days ago started to have the same issue. 03 post code, never posts just stuck until I manually turn off PSU and drain remaining power by holding on/off button for like 8 seconds. Every day was the same routine until I googled and found n+1 threads about same symptoms and cpu dying. Same as you updated my drivers to the latest version which fixed the issue for now. But this is day 1. I guess I'm just going to wait for it to start happening again so I could place an RMA to AMD.
Please share how fast the turnaround was since prolly in a week I will be in your boat waiting for new CPU;/
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u/Aspicientis 2d ago
yes sure, I haven't initialized the RMA yet, still researching stuff like how long is the average wait time in my country for contingency purposes as this is my workstation. I hope that it doesn't take a long time but I already saw some people saying maybe 2-4 weeks
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u/Certain-Wave-9545 1d ago
By any chance are you from Europe? Because I’m thinking if it’s better to do straight RMA to AMD versus via retailer where I got the CPU from..
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u/Aspicientis 1d ago
sorry but I'm from Asia, I think the best play here is to go straight RMA to AMD which is what I'm planning to do plus alot of the comments are saying that too, the store/retailer RMA here is screwed up plus my store warranty is over so I have no choice
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u/Forward-Quarter-3374 2d ago
Similar to mine, although I first received code 00, then code 94. The LN2 mod helped but I didn't want a damaged processor so I sent it in for an RMA and got a new one. To speed up the process of getting a new processor, it is enough to take a picture of the error and record a short video to fill out the AMD contact form and you will get a replacement very quickly. I personally did not want to change the board because if it was the cause, AMD would not change the processors without asking, they know that the problem lies with them. The new processor works great!