BIOS Update  

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  1. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
       #1

    BIOS Update


    I'm one that tries to stay far away from flashing the BIOS unless there is a very compelling reason to do so, but browsing the download page for my MB, I noticed that they had released a new BIOS update in November to update my MB from AM3 to AM3+. Since I have no plans to buy a Bulldozer, is there any advantage to having AM3+ otherwise?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,781
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
       #2

    No.

    It's not a matter of "updating the motherboard" either, it's simply adding CPU codes to the BIOS so it can correctly recognize and set up an AM3+ CPU if one is installed.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 409
    win7 Ult 64
       #3

    If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

    I try to live by that rule anyways.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Kipper said:
    If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

    I try to live by that rule anyways.
    Even with your Harley?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,379
    Win7 Pro 32-bit, Win8 Pro 32-bit
       #5

    Even though I'm generally someone to leap at BIOS updates, in the case of AM3, I would advise leaving it alone.

    I have an AM3 board and made the MISTAKE of updating it to the latest BIOS. Not only would my 1600-speed memory not run at 1600 anymore, it wouldn't even run at 1333! In both cases, I got a BOOT error, requiring me to go back into the BIOS and slow down the memory.

    That BIOS update was intended to add AM3+ support to my Gigabyte motherboard -- something I (like you) don't need, but I thought I would try it anyway, expecting that it would not make anything worse.

    So, since I saved off the "old" BIOS before updating, I reflashed using that, and I'm back to running my memory at full speed again.
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  6. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #6

    On the other hand, it might help my memory, because my 1600s have never run better than 1300.
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  7. Posts : 1,379
    Win7 Pro 32-bit, Win8 Pro 32-bit
       #7

    seekermeister said:
    On the other hand, it might help my memory, because my 1600s have never run better than 1300.
    NO ... what happened to me is that it HURT my memory. My memory which was able to boot and run OK at 1600 with the older BIOS, was reduced to running at 1033 with the latest BIOS.

    So, I had to reflash with an earlier (year-old) BIOS version to get back to being able to use the memory at 1600.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I understood, but if it can go one way with a bad flash, it might go the other with a good one, if the old BIOS isn't what it should be.
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  9. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Since I posted this question, they released another BIOS update. This time it only says that it modifies CPU code, but not which CPUs it effects. Is there a way to determine which CPUs it includes?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 612
    MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
       #10

    Corazon said:
    No.

    It's not a matter of "updating the motherboard" either, it's simply adding CPU codes to the BIOS so it can correctly recognize and set up an AM3+ CPU if one is installed.
    Hello Corazon,
    This is a good thread and your's is an excellent post for everybody who jump at updating a BIOS blindly, whenever a new version is released.

    Regards,
    sreedhav
      My Computer


 
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