Will my Gigabyte EX58 UD5 mobo recognize a D0 Stepping i7 CPU with stock BIOS?

DavyBoy

DavyBoy

DavyBoy

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Hi, I was wondering whether anyone here could help me out?

I am currently in the process of putting together an i7 system, I will be purchasing next week to finish the build...

I will be purchasing a D0 stepping i7 920 CPU, and I wanted to know whether my Gigabyte EX58 UD5 mobo would recognize the processor with the stock BIOS installed??

I have contacted Gigabyte UK about this query and I got 2 different answers from them... one guy told me that I would have to get the mobo BIOS flashed to at least F5 before it would even POST with a D0 processor installed, and another guy told me that I would be able to install a D0 processor with the stock BIOS...

Does anyone here know anything about this, as I really don't want to buy my processor and finish this build only to find out that I wont be able to use my PC because the BIOS doesn't recognize my CPU...

Would the mobo not just see a D0 stepping CPU as a C0/C1 stepping, and allow me to flash the BIOS from a USB flash drive myself, or will I have to send the mobo back to Gigabyte to have them flash it to the current version for me?

I hope that someone here will be able to help me out with this problem..

Thanks in advance
 
I got my mobo and RAM from somewhere else, but I will be purchasing my D0 i7 920 from OcUK...

I just thought that there might have been other people on here that have tried to install a D0 stepping CPU into the same mobo (or any other Gigabyte X58 mobos) with the stock BIOS installed...

I don't understand why a D0 stepping i7 processor wouldn't work with the stock BIOS, I suppose I will just have to wait and see for myself whether it will work, or whether I will be able to gain access to the BIOS flashing utility with my D0 processor installed so that I can flash it to the latest version from my USB flash drive so that the processor can be recognized properly...

Does anybody else around here have any experience with things like this???

I read a comment that someone posted on another website, where they owned a DFI X58 mobo, and they had to have their BIOS flashed to the latest version with a C0/C1 stepping CPU installed first before they could run a D0 stepping CPU, but would this be the case for every mobo manufacturer?
 
DavyBoy said:
I don't understand why a D0 stepping i7 processor wouldn't work with the stock BIOS, I suppose I will just have to wait and see for myself whether it will work, or whether I will be able to gain access to the BIOS flashing utility with my D0 processor installed so that I can flash it to the latest version from my USB flash drive so that the processor can be recognized properly...

Does anybody else around here have any experience with things like this???
Click to expand...


I would not wait and see, that approach is sure to give disappointment!

See this link for BIOS revision....

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/BIOS_Model.aspx?ProductID=2958#anchor_os

F5 is the first revision that supports the D0 stepping.

If the board does not support the processor and it will not boot, then obviously you cannot get to the flashing utility on the board to carry out the Flash. Having said that, it all depends what they [Gigabyte] call support! I recently had a similar problem building a family PC with another company's board that did not support the intel e5300 CPU, but I was still able run and boot it and flash it with a BIOS that gave support. As you have not purchased from OcUK, then you have got to suck it and see.
 
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Just found this FAQ on Gigabytes website, not sure how useful it actually is though :p


Q.
Why EX58-EXTREME, EX58-UD5, EX58-DS4 can't boot with some Core i7-920, Core i7-940 CPU?



A.
GIGABYTE X58 series motherboards may have compatibility issues with Intel Core i7 940 and 920 production version CPU, so we strongly recommend you to update the latest BIOS as following for better performance,
EX58-EXTREME BIOS version F3
EX58-UD5 BIOS version F3
EX58-DS4 BIOS version F3
You can use BIOS build-in Q-Flash utility, or Window based @BIOS utility to update BIOS. After Main BIOS update successfully, system will reboot and during POST, please press Alt + F12 key to update Backup BIOS
 
OK here is the answer. I rang Gigabyte UK technical department and spoke to Ian Bovell. He has stated I can use his name in the reply.

You cannot boot up with the latest DO stepping CPU and flash the BIOS. You have 2 choices:

a. Send the board back to the supplier and get them to flash the BIOS to F5 or later.

or...

b. Obtain a previous stepping CPU and upgrade the BIOS, and then you are in business.


This is why when it comes to component compatibility with RAM, CPU and Motherboards, it is always best to obtain advice and purchase all these items from one supplier. I have of course got a degree in hindsight!
 
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Wish I read this before I got started, I have this motherboard and chip and am actually just about to power up the motherboard... looks like there is no point then... I have bought everything from OC except the motherboard, which i got in JAPAN!... so it looks like Im basicully going to have to buy another brand new 920? and use it for 10mins while I flash the motherboard??
 
I wonder if it's just the Gigabyte that wo'nt boot with a D0 or if it's all new x58 motherboards.
Whichever it is, Overclockers need to specify it on their site asap. :/
 
@GunRunner, thank you so much for calling up Gigabyte to ask about this query of mine..

As I said previously in this thread, I had contacted Gigabyte through their online support system, and one guy gave me the same answer that they gave you, and then another person also replied to my question saying that I might be able to boot into the BIOS with a D0 processor installed, and that I could flash the BIOS from a USB stick to get it updated to at least F5 so that it would properly recognize the D0 stepping...

I think that I should probably send the mobo back and have them update the BIOS for me... that is unless Spilldog decides to try and setup his system and see whether his mobo boots with the D0 stepping CPU, it wouldn't hurt to try it out, I know if I had purchased my processor at the same time as my mobo and RAM I would be giving it a go to see if I could get it up and running...

If you do decide to give it a try could you please report back here to let me know how you get on?

Thanks again for all the replies folks, it is much appreciated...
 
Ok, it powers on, and I do seem to be getting the BIOS! Getting Red phase led for a short time, then most lights go off and I get 'FF' on Debug led...
And then the BIOS starts up... It seems to be getting everything cpu and system temps, its seems to be bloody working! Only thing concerning me is Red Phase Leds...

I dont have time to finish checking this now, but Im going to carry on! I have to call it quits now, and wont get a chance to work on this till next Sunday!

This is my first build, so I really don't know what to do at this point... but I'd say give it a go!
 
Sorry that last post all over the place, Im just relieved my first build seems to be actually working... remember Im new at all this...
A more useful post, mine seems to work as far as I can see... so go for it.
 
Spilldog said:
Ok, it powers on, and I do seem to be getting the BIOS! Getting Red phase led for a short time, then most lights go off and I get 'FF' on Debug led...
And then the BIOS starts up... It seems to be getting everything cpu and system temps, its seems to be bloody working! Only thing concerning me is Red Phase Leds...

I dont have time to finish checking this now, but Im going to carry on! I have to call it quits now, and wont get a chance to work on this till next Sunday!

This is my first build, so I really don't know what to do at this point... but I'd say give it a go!
Click to expand...

That is ok. The red phase lights are fine during the boot process. That is the sequence of events followed finally by the blue lights and the FF means it passes all the checks.

All you need is the latest BIOS and to Flash it. Looks like I was advised incorrectly by the tech guy at Gigabyte, or, your CPU is of a batch that boots with the BIOS revision on your board.

Haven't we learnt something here? Not all of the technical people employed in the manufacturing of these boards are privy to all the facts on all the products they handle.
 
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GunRunner said:
That is ok. The red phase lights are fine during the boot process. That is the sequence of events followed finally by the blue lights and the FF means it passes all the checks.

All you need is the latest BIOS and to Flash it. Looks like I was advised incorrectly by the tech guy at Gigabyte, or, your CPU is of a batch that boots with the BIOS revision on your board.

Haven't we learnt something here? Not all of the technical people employed in the manufacturing of these boards are privy to all the facts on all the products they handle.
Click to expand...

@Spilldog, thanks so much for testing this out man, I had thought all along that it would be possible to boot into the BIOS with a D0 stepping processor installed, you have just confirmed it...

@GunRunner, like I said before man, 2 different people from Gigabyte responded to my email I sent them, both giving me different answers, one guy told me what you were told, and another guy told me that it may very well work...

I am glad that I wont have to send my mobo back to Gigabyte to get flashed, that would have just been a hassle...

Thanks again for the replies though folks, it is much appreciated,,,
 
Oh my Me I've just had a heart attack. I have these two items sat next to me know and will be putting one with t'other later today. All purchased from OCuk so fingers crossed. Will try to remember to let you all know as a confirmation.

*wipes sweat away*
 
mr_jmm said:
Oh my Me I've just had a heart attack. I have these two items sat next to me know and will be putting one with t'other later today. All purchased from OCuk so fingers crossed. Will try to remember to let you all know as a confirmation.

*wipes sweat away*
Click to expand...

It would be much appreciated if you could post back into this thread to let me know if your system boots up with the D0 processor installed...
 
Well I ordered the same board and "d0" cpu which arrived today(from competitor). Thankfully it booted up fine. It came with the F4 bios and is now sitting pretty at 4ghz;)


Chris
 
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