Should One Flash Bios On Newly Built Computer?

TomBrooklyn · 05-07-12, 04:37 PM

Should one flash the bios to upgrade to the latest bios when they build a computer using an Intel compatible motherboard?

I just built a computer with the following:

Motherboard: Asus Z68-V LX
Bios: American Megatrends Inc. Version 0401 Dated: 7/15/11
CPU: Intel i7 2600K
OS: Windows 7

It's working fine. Windows is working. Although I haven't checked for Windows updates yet. Probably there is an auto function for that, but I haven't been advised of any updates. I have loaded all the drivers. The internet connection is working.

Woomack · 05-07-12, 04:43 PM

It's like when you get new hardware then it's good to upgrade BIOS to latest version. Even when board is new then BIOS already have 1-3 months.
On the other hand when everything is working fine then you shouldn't touch anything. Latest doesn't mean best or most stable version.
Best will be just read what new version is adding/fixing and decide if it's worth to upgrade.

TomBrooklyn · 05-08-12, 11:46 AM

.
.
I bought this board back in December, but I didn't get around to building it until just now. The BIOS is from July 15, 2011, which makes it 10 months old.

Everything is working so far with all drivers and Windows 7 installed; but I haven't installed a video card in it yet (planning on AMD FirePro 4900), or an SSD HD (which I'll do maybe six months to a year from now.)

If I'm going to risk bricking the board, I'd rather do it now, before I load everything and am relying on it. On the other hand, I don't want to take any chances if there's no reason to.

EarthDog · 05-08-12, 11:49 AM

You personally, at this time, have no reason to. Unless the bios update have something you need (like CPU support), I wouldnt do it.

txus.palacios · 05-08-12, 12:13 PM

If your board has some kind of BIOS back up, yes, and if the BIOS is stable.
If your board has no BIOS back up, and BIOS is beta, don't do it.

I speak from experience.

TomBrooklyn · 05-08-12, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txus.palacios

If your board has some kind of BIOS back up, yes, and if the BIOS is stable.

Someone told me my board has something called ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 on it. I'm not sure what that is or how it works, but I'm going to look into it. It sounds like some kind of recovery mechanism if things go wrong.

Janus67 · 05-08-12, 03:58 PM

i would guess that feature is pretty much just for recovering from a failed overclock

Eldonko · 05-08-12, 04:14 PM

Flash BIOS is the first thing I do on a new build.

EarthDog · 05-08-12, 04:23 PM

If it aint broke, dont try to fix it (especially for a novice).

Bobnova · 05-08-12, 04:30 PM

Personally I don't touch the bioses on new parts I get unless I have to.
A failed flash results in a dead board.

AngelfireUk83 · 05-08-12, 06:13 PM

I did on my board below because the F3 BIOS that came with it would put the BIOS in a POST LOOP I had installed Win 7, It couldn't get past the main screen to get to Windows load screen just kept looping over and over, once I manged to get into Windows and let me tell you it was a pain not even a CMOS clear did it.

I flashed it to F8 and it fixed it and fixed issues with the onboard USB 3.0 controller, unless the latest version or other versions above have any fixes then I would leave it as it is.

Some board vendors I dont think give RMA over a failed BIOS flash

TomBrooklyn · 05-11-12, 02:04 AM

Thanks for the opinions. It seems like the for and against is about 50-50.

I decided to do it. It went smoothly. The way Asus had it set up it was almost automatic after putting the new BIOS on a USB stick.

I think I might have had to do it in the future anyway because I'll probably put an SSD in here, and any risk was less now than it would be later when I was more dependent on the computer.

Woomack · 05-11-12, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelfireUk83

Some board vendors I dont think give RMA over a failed BIOS flash

I never had problems with RMA when bios failed. In most cases support can't check it anyway till they get board ( so you already get RMA number ).
Asus will give RMA for almost everything and later depends from country they will fix it or not. I don't know what with Gigabyte or MSI as I know they have almost only RMA through distribution so generally they take everything.
ASRock support will give RMA without problems or can offer you BIOS chip replacement ( at least in Europe ) but you will have to pay for it about 5 € ( I had that situation with P67 board ).
Most boards have recovery technology or dual bios but for example ASRock boards don't have recovery for their P67/Z68 or older boards ( I don't know if they added it to Z77/X79 ).
On some ROG boards you can even flash back BIOS without cpu so they don't really need dual bios or anything else

stainlineho · 05-11-12, 08:29 AM

A lot of scaryness in here surrounding flashing a BIOS. Done properly, I've never had one go wrong on me...

But my opinion is if you cannot get the new PC booted, flash the BIOS. If you can get the OS installed, wait to flash and read up on BIOS updates for your mobo.

txus.palacios · 05-11-12, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthDog

If it aint broke, dont try to fix it (especially for a novice).

This is world's biggest truth.

EarthDog · 05-11-12, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomBrooklyn

Thanks for the opinions. It seems like the for and against is about 50-50.

I decided to do it. It went smoothly. The way Asus had it set up it was almost automatic after putting the new BIOS on a USB stick.

I think I might have had to do it in the future anyway because I'll probably put an SSD in here, and any risk was less now than it would be later when I was more dependent on the computer.

You wouldnt have had to do it to add an SSD.

Glad it worked out.

txus.palacios · 05-11-12, 09:10 AM

If you ask the computer, for him, the SDD is just another HDD with an insane speed.

Imperatrix · 05-12-12, 08:39 AM

if it is not broken don't fix it!

txus.palacios · 05-12-12, 08:40 AM

Or, if it isn't broken, fix it 'til it is. Heheh.

rogbur22 · 05-13-12, 08:28 PM

I usually flash anything and everything

Seriously though, I always flash my boards when they have something I want need or think is a good idea. There is always a risk involved but I have never had an issue with any bios in over 10 years of doing them.

I just got this EVGA GTX570 about 3 months ago. After 1 month I saw there was a bios update for it. Apparently the card would only allow the fan to run up to 80% speed the way it was. The bios flash takes the fan to be able to run at 100%.

I flashed it 10 minutes after seeing the file. LOL

Never bricked any mobo, video card, CD/DVD drive. nothing. Just be careful and follow directions. If your not comfortable doing it. Dont.

05-07-12, 04:37 PM	Thread Starter #1
TomBrooklyn Member Join Date: Oct 2008	Should One Flash Bios On Newly Built Computer? Should one flash the bios to upgrade to the latest bios when they build a computer using an Intel compatible motherboard? I just built a computer with the following: Motherboard: Asus Z68-V LX Bios: American Megatrends Inc. Version 0401 Dated: 7/15/11 CPU: Intel i7 2600K OS: Windows 7 It's working fine. Windows is working. Although I haven't checked for Windows updates yet. Probably there is an auto function for that, but I haven't been advised of any updates. I have loaded all the drivers. The internet connection is working.
	QUOTE Thanks

05-07-12, 04:43 PM	#2
Woomack Senior Memory Guru Premium Member #19 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Poznan, Poland	It's like when you get new hardware then it's good to upgrade BIOS to latest version. Even when board is new then BIOS already have 1-3 months. On the other hand when everything is working fine then you shouldn't touch anything. Latest doesn't mean best or most stable version. Best will be just read what new version is adding/fixing and decide if it's worth to upgrade. __________________ Memory tests: G.Skill RipjawsX 2133C9@2500+C7, 16GB G.Skill RipjawsX 1600C9@1866C9 1.5V, Crucial Ballistix Elite 1600@2133, 8GB Corsair GX3 2000C8@2252C9 - P67, Adata 2000-G CL9@2250 7-10-7-25, Adata 2000-G v2.0 CL9@2000 6-9-6-24, Adata 1600-G CL9@1850 9-9-9-24, Kingston 2133 Grey 9-11-9-27, Team Xtreem 2666 C11 Guides: Ivy Bridge Memory Overclocking Guide, GTX470 Bios Mod, How to fix ME in Z77 Reviews: Geil EVO Veloce 2133 C10, Crucial Ballistix 1600 LP Other: Biostar I45@600MHz+ FSB, G.Skill/PSC @1523MHz/AMD, 1539MHz/Intel, P6X58D-E@248bclk
	QUOTE Thanks

05-08-12, 11:46 AM	Thread Starter #3
TomBrooklyn Member Join Date: Oct 2008	Flash BIOS on New Build That's Working? . . I bought this board back in December, but I didn't get around to building it until just now. The BIOS is from July 15, 2011, which makes it 10 months old. Everything is working so far with all drivers and Windows 7 installed; but I haven't installed a video card in it yet (planning on AMD FirePro 4900), or an SSD HD (which I'll do maybe six months to a year from now.) If I'm going to risk bricking the board, I'd rather do it now, before I load everything and am relying on it. On the other hand, I don't want to take any chances if there's no reason to.
	QUOTE Thanks

05-08-12, 11:49 AM	#4
EarthDog Senior PITA Member Overclockers.com Editor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stuck in Maryland...	You personally, at this time, have no reason to. Unless the bios update have something you need (like CPU support), I wouldnt do it. __________________ Should I R0 my SSD? / SandyBridge / Ivybridge Overclocking Guide / AMD Overclocking Guide / Power Supply Guide SSD Reliability/Write Endurance / JOIN THE BENCHING TEAM! / Bulldozer Overclocking Guide / Forum Etiquette Want to see your writing featured on the overclockers.com Front Page? PM me, I can help! "We have more information and more ways of accessing it than ever, yet seem increasingly less inclined to do so."- Michael Wilbon
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05-08-12, 12:13 PM	#5
txus.palacios Premium Member #18 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cádiz (Spain)	If your board has some kind of BIOS back up, yes, and if the BIOS is stable. If your board has no BIOS back up, and BIOS is beta, don't do it. I speak from experience. __________________ Maximus V Gene \| i5-2500k 4.8GHz (ekHF) \| 16GiB \| GTX470 SLi @ 800MHz (ekFC) \| m4 128GB \| T50-RP \| Arch Linux + Windows 8 Pro \| gaming P67 Extreme4 B3 \| i3-2120T 35W 2.6GHz \| 32GiB \| ZFS - zRAID1 2TB \| VMware vSphere (ESXi) 5.1 \| server Samsung RC520 \| i5-2410M 2.3GHz \| 4GiB \| HD3000 + GT520m \| 320GB \| Arch Linux \| laptop [ more info about my systems... ] The only sound I want to hear out of my computer (unless I'm gaming or watching a movie) is the hum of my 6000 rpm fan pushing air through my heatsink. - Seebs If I turn up dead, somebody make sure they put "should have just benched in the cold" on my tombstone, along with my most recent superpi32m score. - I.M.O.G. I didn't go water-cooling for an air-cooling Vcore!! - bluezero5 I'll rm -rf /yourface/* - thideras
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05-08-12, 03:58 PM	#7
Janus67 Benching Team Leader Wannabe Admin Senior Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ohio State	i would guess that feature is pretty much just for recovering from a failed overclock __________________ Ivy Bridge Benching and Gaming: Asus Maximus V Extreme 0010 BIOS : Intel i7 3770k w/ Phanteks PH-TC14 : 8GB 2x4GB G.Skill TridentX DDR3-2666 : MSI 7970 Lightning Edition Other Benched Hardware: GA-EX58a-UD3R; Rampage Extreme; Rampage Formula; GA-EP45-UD3R; P5K-Deluxe; MIVE -- 2500k; 2600k; 920; E6300; E6550; E6600; E8400; Q6600 -- 6950; 4870; 8800GTS Other Components: Crucial M4 128GB SSD : 2x1TB Samsung F3 in Raid0 : Silverstone Strider Gold 1250W : Auria EQ276W 27'' & Dell 2407FPW : KPC Tek9 Fat and Gemini LN2 Pots Benchmark, Win Prizes - In the Overclocktagon!
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05-08-12, 04:14 PM	#8
Eldonko Revolutionary Mule Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta	Flash BIOS is the first thing I do on a new build. __________________ Motherboard Reviewer at Hardware Canucks Team OCX Bench Team Always lurking the motherboard section
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05-08-12, 04:23 PM	#9
EarthDog Senior PITA Member Overclockers.com Editor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stuck in Maryland...	If it aint broke, dont try to fix it (especially for a novice). __________________ Should I R0 my SSD? / SandyBridge / Ivybridge Overclocking Guide / AMD Overclocking Guide / Power Supply Guide SSD Reliability/Write Endurance / JOIN THE BENCHING TEAM! / Bulldozer Overclocking Guide / Forum Etiquette Want to see your writing featured on the overclockers.com Front Page? PM me, I can help! "We have more information and more ways of accessing it than ever, yet seem increasingly less inclined to do so."- Michael Wilbon
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05-08-12, 04:30 PM	#10
Bobnova Air Superiority Senior Member Benching Team Leader Join Date: May 2009 Location: Humboldt	Personally I don't touch the bioses on new parts I get unless I have to. A failed flash results in a dead board. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." -- Einstein (maybe) How to check your PSU with a multimeter. 17bXw5t51rEBXGavJFMJsC8g7HQgThUGc7 Heatware.
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05-08-12, 06:13 PM	#11
AngelfireUk83 Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: England	I did on my board below because the F3 BIOS that came with it would put the BIOS in a POST LOOP I had installed Win 7, It couldn't get past the main screen to get to Windows load screen just kept looping over and over, once I manged to get into Windows and let me tell you it was a pain not even a CMOS clear did it. I flashed it to F8 and it fixed it and fixed issues with the onboard USB 3.0 controller, unless the latest version or other versions above have any fixes then I would leave it as it is. Some board vendors I dont think give RMA over a failed BIOS flash __________________ OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit Board: Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Rev.1 F8 CPU: INTEL i7 2600k 3.40ghz (Stock) RAM: Crucial Ballistix Elite 8GB 1866mhz DDR3 (1600mhz@1.60v) Storage: Crucial 128GB M4 SSD (FW 040H) Storage 2: Seagate 500GB 7,200rpm HDD GPU/Audio: HIS 7850 2GB GDDR5 PCI-E Card (Stock) PSU: OCZ Fatality 750w Modular PSU Optical: LG GH24NS90 24x DVD-RW
	QUOTE Thanks

05-11-12, 02:04 AM	Thread Starter #12
TomBrooklyn Member Join Date: Oct 2008	Thanks for the opinions. It seems like the for and against is about 50-50. I decided to do it. It went smoothly. The way Asus had it set up it was almost automatic after putting the new BIOS on a USB stick. I think I might have had to do it in the future anyway because I'll probably put an SSD in here, and any risk was less now than it would be later when I was more dependent on the computer.
	QUOTE Thanks

05-11-12, 08:29 AM	#14
stainlineho Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: GA, USA	A lot of scaryness in here surrounding flashing a BIOS. Done properly, I've never had one go wrong on me... But my opinion is if you cannot get the new PC booted, flash the BIOS. If you can get the OS installed, wait to flash and read up on BIOS updates for your mobo. __________________ My 1st WC Build Log--->NZXT Switch 810 "White Widow"
	QUOTE Thanks

05-11-12, 09:10 AM	#17
txus.palacios Premium Member #18 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cádiz (Spain)	If you ask the computer, for him, the SDD is just another HDD with an insane speed. __________________ Maximus V Gene \| i5-2500k 4.8GHz (ekHF) \| 16GiB \| GTX470 SLi @ 800MHz (ekFC) \| m4 128GB \| T50-RP \| Arch Linux + Windows 8 Pro \| gaming P67 Extreme4 B3 \| i3-2120T 35W 2.6GHz \| 32GiB \| ZFS - zRAID1 2TB \| VMware vSphere (ESXi) 5.1 \| server Samsung RC520 \| i5-2410M 2.3GHz \| 4GiB \| HD3000 + GT520m \| 320GB \| Arch Linux \| laptop [ more info about my systems... ] The only sound I want to hear out of my computer (unless I'm gaming or watching a movie) is the hum of my 6000 rpm fan pushing air through my heatsink. - Seebs If I turn up dead, somebody make sure they put "should have just benched in the cold" on my tombstone, along with my most recent superpi32m score. - I.M.O.G. I didn't go water-cooling for an air-cooling Vcore!! - bluezero5 I'll rm -rf /yourface/* - thideras
	QUOTE Thanks

05-12-12, 08:39 AM	#18
Imperatrix Member Join Date: Jun 2010	if it is not broken don't fix it!
	QUOTE Thanks

05-12-12, 08:40 AM	#19
txus.palacios Premium Member #18 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cádiz (Spain)	Or, if it isn't broken, fix it 'til it is. Heheh. __________________ Maximus V Gene \| i5-2500k 4.8GHz (ekHF) \| 16GiB \| GTX470 SLi @ 800MHz (ekFC) \| m4 128GB \| T50-RP \| Arch Linux + Windows 8 Pro \| gaming P67 Extreme4 B3 \| i3-2120T 35W 2.6GHz \| 32GiB \| ZFS - zRAID1 2TB \| VMware vSphere (ESXi) 5.1 \| server Samsung RC520 \| i5-2410M 2.3GHz \| 4GiB \| HD3000 + GT520m \| 320GB \| Arch Linux \| laptop [ more info about my systems... ] The only sound I want to hear out of my computer (unless I'm gaming or watching a movie) is the hum of my 6000 rpm fan pushing air through my heatsink. - Seebs If I turn up dead, somebody make sure they put "should have just benched in the cold" on my tombstone, along with my most recent superpi32m score. - I.M.O.G. I didn't go water-cooling for an air-cooling Vcore!! - bluezero5 I'll rm -rf /yourface/* - thideras
	QUOTE Thanks

05-13-12, 08:28 PM	#20
rogbur22 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Massachusetts	I usually flash anything and everything Seriously though, I always flash my boards when they have something I want need or think is a good idea. There is always a risk involved but I have never had an issue with any bios in over 10 years of doing them. I just got this EVGA GTX570 about 3 months ago. After 1 month I saw there was a bios update for it. Apparently the card would only allow the fan to run up to 80% speed the way it was. The bios flash takes the fan to be able to run at 100%. I flashed it 10 minutes after seeing the file. LOL Never bricked any mobo, video card, CD/DVD drive. nothing. Just be careful and follow directions. If your not comfortable doing it. Dont. __________________ Intel I5-3570 @4.5 GHZ CM Hyper 212 EVO ASrock Z77 Extreme 4 16GB Kingston Hyper-X 1600 DDR 3 EVGA Geforce GTX 670 4GB FTW G-Skill Phoenix III 120GB SSD WD 1TB Caviar Black 7200 64mg cache WD 1TB Caviar Blue 7200 64mg cache ASUS 24X DVDRW Pioneer Internal BD Writer (BDR-207DBK) Corsair HX850 Modular PSU HP Pavillion 27xi IPS Panel
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