How often to update BIOS?

Mike_J_Smith · 8 Sep 2023 at 14:35

I bought my motherboard (MSI MAG X570 Tomahawk) back in Jan '21. At the time I had to update the BIOS before using it (I think it was something to do with the CPU, a 5800x).

Anyway, since then I havent touched it as it works so didnt want to mess anything up.

I'm looking now and there have been lots of updates to the BIOS since then; should I be routinely updating to the latest version?

Mike_J_Smith · 8 Sep 2023 at 15:40

Thanks all. I'll do one now as it's been so long.

Mike_J_Smith · 8 Sep 2023 at 22:30

I did the update as it introduced some new features like resizable bar and some security fixes.

It did however give me some grief as it wouldn’t boot and then wouldn’t even post. Eventually worked out it was a gpu issue with me having the 7900xt on a riser cable. I had to put my 5700xt back in and set the PCI to 3.0 manually in the bios. It did go to bios the first time after flashing, so I guess I need to remember that in the future. Kind of sucks though tbh as I plan to watercool the 7900xt and then I wouldn’t have an easy time swapping the card.

I prefer CPUs with built in graphics!

Does the 5800x3d have built in graphics?

Mike_J_Smith · 8 Sep 2023 at 22:36

khevolution said:
It does not.

Booooo

Mike_J_Smith · 9 Sep 2023 at 09:15

I think I’ll just do mine when either a useful new feature or security fix is added. I wouldn’t do beta updates either, not worth the risk.

Mike_J_Smith · 10 Sep 2023 at 23:16

SpudMaster said:
I assume you've got a PCI‐E 3 riser cable? Get a 4 cable and you'll good, may even gain a few extra FPS.

I personally always update BIOS to the latest as you almost always get AGESA updates which in turn can bring performance improvements and fix compatibility issues etc.

Yes I've got a PCI 3 riser; will look into a 4. Any recommendations?

Mike_J_Smith · 13 Sep 2023 at 12:44

Seems to be a split between never/when strictly necessary; only when something useful changes and then a few do it regularly.

If you compared that to other hardware, eg GPU drivers, most would probably do that every time.

So why not the bios? If the manufacturer is updating it surely it’s better to be up to date for performance? It seems not because, to summarise, it’s a pain in the arse and goes wrong regularly enough to not be worth it. Surely by now motherboard manufacturers could get their act together and make it simple, painless and effective?