Any AM4 B350M motherboard whose BIOS can be updated from USB with GPU but without any CPU?

[abhishekakade]

I wanna buy Ryzen 5 2400G. Is there any AM4 B350M motherboard whose BIOS can be updated by flashing update file via USB without the need for AM4 CPU/APU? This feature is called Q Flash in Gigabyte motherboards but when I mailed their tech support, they said this method won't work. I have a graphics card (nVidia GeForce 9400GT 1GB old but works fine) So will I be able to access BIOS and update it via USB with just the graphics card and no CPU/APU? Is there any B350M motherboard with which this will work? Please help me out. Thank you!

 

[gdmaclew]

Check with the motherboard seller to verify if your preferred motherboard has already been updated with the latest BIOS.

 

[Barty1884]

Any board that can flash a BIOS without a CPU, won't need a GPU. Typically the no-CPU BIOS flash is limited, and reserved, to the "high end" boards..... which don't typically appear in the B350 lineup. For example. Gigabyte's X99 boards had Q-Flash-plus, allowing BIOS flashing without a CPU.

There might be an X370 option from ASUS* (i forget what their option is called) or Gigabyte, but not 100% sure . I'll look.

*ASUS is USB Flashback...... but needs the dedicated rear button.

Looks like the Crosshair VI extreme can do it:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/GvPzK8/asus-rog-crosshair-vi-extreme-eatx-am4-motherboard-crosshair-vi-extreme

Looks like the CROSSHAIR VI HERO (WI-FI AC) does too, for mITX

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/qRcMnQ/asus-crosshair-vi-hero-wi-fi-ac-atx-am4-motherboard-crosshair-vi-hero-wi-fi-ac

Can;t find any for B350 though.

BIOS Flashback explained:
https://rog.asus.com/technology/republic-of-gamers-motherboard-innovations/usb-bios-flashback/

 

[clarkjd]

I wanna buy Ryzen 5 2400G. Is there any AM4 B350M motherboard whose BIOS can be updated by flashing update file via USB without the need for AM4 CPU/APU? This feature is called Q Flash in Gigabyte motherboards but when I mailed their tech support, they said this method won't work. I have a graphics card (nVidia GeForce 9400GT 1GB old but works fine) So will I be able to access BIOS and update it via USB with just the graphics card and no CPU/APU? Is there any B350M motherboard with which this will work? Please help me out. Thank you!

The GPU does not play ANY part(and can't!) in updating a BIOS.on the motherboard. You need a CPU (or supported APU).

 

[Barty1884]

The GPU does not play ANY part(and can't!) in updating a BIOS.on the motherboard. You need a CPU (or supported APU).

Not strictly true, as above - but your options are EXTREMELY limited.

Given you're looking at $200+ more than a 'basic' B350 board, and an OG Ryzen3 is ~$100... you'd be cheaper buying the cheap board + OG Ryzen opposed to investing in such a high-end board.

 

[abhishekakade]

Check with the motherboard seller to verify if your preferred motherboard has already been updated with the latest BIOS.

I checked. No new 2000 series ready motherboards (or even personally updated BIOS motherboards) are available yet from any seller. Anyways, thank you for your reply.

 

[abhishekakade]

Any board that can flash a BIOS without a CPU, won't need a GPU. Typically the no-CPU BIOS flash is limited, and reserved, to the "high end" boards..... which don't typically appear in the B350 lineup. For example. Gigabyte's X99 boards had Q-Flash-plus, allowing BIOS flashing without a CPU.

There might be an X370 option from ASUS* (i forget what their option is called) or Gigabyte, but not 100% sure . I'll look.

*ASUS is USB Flashback...... but needs the dedicated rear button.

Looks like the Crosshair VI extreme can do it:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/GvPzK8/asus-rog-crosshair-vi-extreme-eatx-am4-motherboard-crosshair-vi-extreme

Looks like the CROSSHAIR VI HERO (WI-FI AC) does too, for mITX

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/qRcMnQ/asus-crosshair-vi-hero-wi-fi-ac-atx-am4-motherboard-crosshair-vi-hero-wi-fi-ac

Can;t find any for B350 though.

BIOS Flashback explained:
https://rog.asus.com/technology/republic-of-gamers-motherboard-innovations/usb-bios-flashback/

Thanks for all the links. I thought all q flash/flashback supported mobos can post without the CPU (or with the help of GPU). And yeah I guess such an option would only exist on high end chipsets. But thanks, at least I got to know some new stuff

 

[abhishekakade]

GPU does not play ANY part(and can't!) in updating a BIOS.on the motherboard. You need a CPU (or supported APU).

I thought it helps motherboard post so BIOS settings can be accessed on screen but I might be wrong. Thanks!