Update BIOS for "new" processor?

cerebralhigh · 17 Apr 2014 at 07:53

Hi, I have the Asus z87-A motherboard with BIOS version 1207. I've just been looking on the Asus website and it says there is a BIOS update for what it calls the "new 4th generation Intel processors", which I assume means Haswell. But in the instructions to update the BIOS it says the following:

"* Note: To update your UEFI BIOS with the ‘BIOS updater for New 4th Gen Intel Core Processors’ tool you must boot your system with a current 4th generation Intel Core processor installed. When the update is complete, you can replace the current processor with a new 4th generation Intel Core processor."

What is a "current" 4th generation Intel Core processor, as opposed to a "new" one? I thought that any processor starting with a '4' was a 'new' Haswell processor? Am I wrong about this? It's suggesting that you need to update the BIOS with an old chip in your system and then swap it with a new chip when you've updated the BIOS??? Or is this only if you're upgrading your system? I only built my computer yesterday.

I have the i7 4770 which I assume is a 'new' 4th gen processor? In which case do I need to update my BIOS?

Confused! Thanks for any help in advance

cerebralhigh · 17 Apr 2014 at 08:54

Hi Jamin, that explains it, thanks.

So since I won't be using a 'Haswell refresh' processor for this computer, does that mean I won't need to update the bios? The update only seems to provide support for these new processors (which I don't have).

Sorry to labour the point but I just want to be sure. Thanks

cerebralhigh · 17 Apr 2014 at 14:24

Thanks very much to both of you. You've sort of given me both sides of the argument!

It's very unlikely that I'll sell the computer; more likely I'll just upgrade it in a few years time. So probably I'll just leave it as it is since at the moment the computer is working a treat.

I was more concerned that if I didn't update the bios then it would have a detrimental effect on performance, but by the sound of it that's not the case.

So are BIOS updates not the same as (say) windows or antivirus updates in the sense that they don't actually need to be updated? Is this because of the risk of messing up your motherboard during the process?

It's strange though, all the main motherboard manufacturer's websites give detailed instructions about how to update the BIOS, as if it's nothing to worry about. Have motherboards improved to the extent that updating the BIOS is basically risk free these days?

cerebralhigh · 17 Apr 2014 at 22:16

Thanks again to both of you; very interesting. I didn't know that about the MSI motherboards. I'm glad I went with Asus with hindsight!

The 'USB Flashback' option on the Asus website isn't available for the z87-A motherboard, but it suggests using the 'BIOS updater for new Intel 4th Gen Core Processors' instead (also available on the Asus website). It seems very straightforward and I'm tempted to do it, but it would be a pain in the backside if something went wrong and I ended up killing my mb.

I think for now I'll refrain from updating the bios as things are working just fine at the moment. I'd like to get everything as up to date as possible, but then again 'if it isn't broken, why fix it?'