[ASUS Ascent GX10 / DGX Spark] Permanent Power Throttle at 30W (Safety Mode) - PD Firmware Negotiation Failure

Accelerated Computing DGX Spark / GB10 User Forum DGX Spark / GB10
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System Information:

  • Hardware: ASUS Ascent GX10 (DGX Spark)

  • OS: NVIDIA DGX OS 7.2.3 (Base) updated to latest Kernel

  • BIOS Version: 0102

  • EC Version: 2.75.3.3

  • TPM Status: Enabled (SHA384 Bank Active, /dev/tpm0 visible)

Issue Description: The system is permanently stuck in Hardware Safety Mode, capping the total power draw at ~30W regardless of the workload. GPU temperatures never exceed 55°C under full synthetic load (gpu-burn or PyTorch GEMM). Despite connecting the 240W Power Adapter to the correct PD-IN port, the Power Delivery controller seems unable to negotiate the High Power state (20V/5A+ or 28V).

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I just found conclusive evidence in dmesg showing that not only the GPU, but the entire PCIe subsystem is power-starved. The Mellanox (mlx5) network controllers are reporting “insufficient power” and seem capped around 27W, which aligns perfectly with the total system draw of ~30W I am observing.

**Does this log confirm that the PMIC (Power Management IC) is actively restricting the entire main rail due to the PD negotiation failure?
**
hasan@gx10-4b66:~/Documents/ft_qwen3_vl$ sudo dmesg | grep -iE “limit|throttle|power”

[ 1.107646] pci 000f:01:00.0: 0.000 Gb/s available PCIe bandwidth, limited by Unknown x0 link at 000f:00:00.0
[ 2.555611] mlx5_core 0000:01:00.0: mlx5_pcie_event:326:(pid 165): Detected insufficient power on the PCIe slot (27W).
[ 3.031528] mlx5_core 0000:01:00.1: mlx5_pcie_event:326:(pid 12): Detected insufficient power on the PCIe slot (27W).
[ 3.509043] mlx5_core 0002:01:00.0: mlx5_pcie_event:326:(pid 396): Detected insufficient power on the PCIe slot (27W).
[ 3.983977] mlx5_core 0002:01:00.1: mlx5_pcie_event:326:(pid 12): Detected insufficient power on the PCIe slot (27W).

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Have you tried to ensure all the firmwares are up to date?

See - ASUS Ascent GX10｜Desktop AI supercomputer｜ASUS USA and instructions on how to update here https://www.asus.com/us/support/faq/1056213/

I found that I had to manually install the firmware - NB: you have to flash PD firmware twice as noted in the instructions.

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Yes I have followed those instructions to the letter.

I created the bootable USB as required and updated the OS to the latest version available. Regarding the firmware I strictly adhered to the ASUS guide including the specific ‘Double Flash’ procedure for the PD controller (Flash → Reboot → Flash → Reboot) to ensure both EEPROMs were updated.

Despite strictly following this exact protocol the system remains stuck in safety mode.

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As this is ASUS GB10 unit, recommend you reachout to ASUS support for a replacement / RMA

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