UEFI BIOS upgrade

[tiptonian]

My machine is 2 1/2 years old and due a bit of an upgrade and tidy up. Only hardware upgrade this time will be replacement of the C: drive with an SSD. I'll be doing a full OS & SW re-install rather than cloning what I've got now, so I'm checking for the latest drivers etc to use.

Looking at the BIOS upgrades available for my MB (Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3) I see that the latest is a UEFI version dated March 2013. I am wondering if it is worth flashing this - what benefits would I see from this new interface? I'd appreciate some advice please?

 

[Digerati]

I'll be doing a full OS & SW re-install rather than cloning what I've got now

IMO, this typically provides better results with fewer hassles in the long run - though it can take longer to tweak the system to how you like it.

so I'm checking for the latest drivers etc to use.

Smart!

You need to be 200% positive (then check again) to make sure this update is for the same motherboard you have. And not just the model number, but the revision number too. That board has two, Rev 1 and Rev 2. Do NOT mix them up!

Understand, a BIOS update does NOT install a new interface. An interface is a hardware device. The update may install a new driver for the interface, however.

My philosophy with BIOS updates is don't update! Not unless (1) the update addresses a problem I am currently experiencing, (2) the update addresses a security issues (rare), or (3) to fix a corrupt BIOS (also rare).

I also suggest you note the "Warning!" from Gigabyte's BIOS Update download page where it says,

Because BIOS flashing is potentially risky, if you do not encounter problems using the current version of BIOS, it is recommended that you not flash the BIOS. To flash the BIOS, do it with caution. Inadequate BIOS flashing may result in system malfunction.

 

[whatfor]

I have that board and it has duel bios so if there is a problem with the flash it should revert to to backup bios at the next boot

 

[Digerati]

I have that board

What board? You MUST be sure! Do you have a Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 Revision 1, or do you have a Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 Revision 2?

I have that board and it has duel bios so if there is a problem with the flash it should revert to to backup bios at the next boot

"Should" is the key word. But the point is, why risk it if the update does nothing for you? Understand that most BIOS updates do NOT fix anything. Most just add support for new CPUs or RAM that came out since the last update.