Solved How do I flash BIOS (Sandy Bridge to Ivy Bridge CPU)?

[Devadip]

Hi!

I have a Gateway FX-6860 computer with an H67 Express chipset motherboard and I would like to upgrade my CPU.

I currently have a Sandy Bridge i7-2600 and I would like to buy an Intel Core i7-3770 but I'm not sure how to safely update my BIOS.

Gateway does provide a BIOS update for Ivy Bridge cpus but I'm not sure how to proceed.

Can I just flash the bios in Windows and switch cpus once the system is off? Is it safe to do that?


Thanks for your time and have a nice day!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Offhand---I wouldn't think that is much of an upgrade--just one generation. Both processors run at 3.4 ghz. I'm not sure I'd even bother unless the 3770 was free or had some odd capability not found on the 2600.

Are you committed to the 3770?

Here are some comparisons:

https://www.google.com/search?num=1...0.0..0.0....0...1..64.serp..0.0.0.L555aavto24

BIOS flashes always carry some risk that your PC will be rendered unbootable.

It's generally advised to not flash in Windows unless you have no choice. Manufacturers often provide more than one method.

I've never heard of a manufacturer that offered a BIOS update but did not provide instructions. What does Gateway say?

I don't swap processors, so you should research more, but my guess is that you would set the existing BIOS to defaults and do the CPU switch BEFORE you flash the BIOS, not after. Do the flash outside of Windows, so the new processor never sees Windows under the old BIOS. But that's just my guess. I've flashed BIOSes, but never swapped CPUs on the same board.

 

[AddRAM]

There should be instructions on exactly how to do it at Gateways website. DO NOT PROCEED if you don`t know what you`re doing.

Why do you want to put a 3770 in there ?

The 2600 is an awesome cpu, the Sandy Bridges may just be the best cpu Intel has ever made .

Next to the 4790K that is

 

[Devadip]

My mobo supports both the i7-3770 and i7-3770K and I can't upgrade past the 3rd gen so I thought if I find one of them at a decent price it'll be slightly better for gaming.

I forgot to mention that I was considering the overclockable version of the 3770 too. Maybe I'm better off buying the 3770K instead?

About the bios updates, Gateway does provide a way to update on DOS. The instructions are clear but they do not specify when to swap cpus. I'm pretty sure you have the right technique ignatzatsonic. I will search for more info.

Also, If I get an i7-3770K, can I overclock with an H67 motherboard and a Cooler master Hyper T2?

 

[AddRAM]

You don`t need an i7 for gaming, an i5 is fine, I have a 3570K and sold my 3770K, both are excellent, but........

You won`t see any vast improvement going from your cpu to a 3770K, and it runs hotter then a Sandy Bridge, the Sandy Bridge is a better made cpu.

About the swap, you can`t be running the 3770 before doing the flash, nothing will show up on the screen because it`s not supported, you keep the Sandy Bridge in there, do the flash, then put in the Ivy Bridge.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you can't help yourself and insist on doing something, I'd consider a 2600K model.

No need to worry about BIOS flashing.

The 2600K is a hellacious overclocker if that's what you have in mind. You might save a few bucks over the 3770K and be able to clock it higher than the 3770K.

I frankly cannot recall if the H67 is suitable for overclocking. You better get that nailed down. You may need a Z series board to overclock a 3770K. If you have to buy a new motherboard in addition to a new CPU, why go with old tech at all? Look at Haswell or Skylake.

It just seems like going from 2600 non K to 3770 non K is pretty much pointless, given the cost.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I see. You are right, the i7-2600 is pretty good. I Thanks for the info!

However, if I need a bit more preformance, can I safely overclock my i7-2600?

Very little.

You need a K series to do any overclocking worth talking about.

 

[Devadip]

You guys are right, the i7-2600 is pretty good and upgrading to the 3770 is pointless. Thanks for the info!

I guess an i7-2600K would be the best choice if I ever want to upgrade as ignatzatsonic said.

Yeah, I guess I'll have to check if the H67 is suitable for overclocking... I don't want to buy a new motherboard right now.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You guys are right, the i7-2600 is pretty good and upgrading to the 3770 is pointless. Thanks for the info!

I guess an i7-2600K would be the best choice if I ever want to upgrade as ignatzatsonic said.

Yeah, I guess I'll have to check if the H67 is suitable for overclocking... I don't want to buy a new motherboard right now.

There is also the even cheaper 2500K, which is also a wonderful overclocker--might save you a few bucks over the 2600K. I think maybe you can get the 2500K used for 90 or 100 on ebay.

But it's tough to invest much money in a 5 year old CPU, if you need to also buy a new motherboard to overclock it.

 

[Devadip]

True. I will check this out. Thanks again!

 

[AddRAM]

What you can try in the mean time if the bios has this feature.

Have all your cores turbo up to the maximum speed your cpu supports, I believe it`s 3.8 GHz.

Not sure if a non K version will let you do that.

Intel® Coreâ„¢ i7-2600 Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz) Specifications

The rest of your hardware looks fine, but what PSU are you using ? It`s not listed.

 

[Solarstarshines]

If you can't help yourself and insist on doing something, I'd consider a 2600K model.

No need to worry about BIOS flashing.

The 2600K is a hellacious overclocker if that's what you have in mind. You might save a few bucks over the 3770K and be able to clock it higher than the 3770K.

I frankly cannot recall if the H67 is suitable for overclocking. You better get that nailed down. You may need a Z series board to overclock a 3770K. If you have to buy a new motherboard in addition to a new CPU, why go with old tech at all? Look at Haswell or Skylake.

It just seems like going from 2600 non K to 3770 non K is pretty much pointless, given the cost.

Exactly this

 

[Devadip]

My PSU is a no name 750 watt 80 plus bronze certified I think. It seems fine since it is able to run my 550W GPU pretty fine.

The turbo boost is activated but this feature is not constant. I run at 3.8Ghz sometimes but When I play games it's most likely clocked at ~3.40Ghz.

 

[AddRAM]

And that`s exactly how it`s supposed to work, the cores only go up to 3.8 if and when they have to.