ASrock Z97 Extreme3 and 4790k - Out of the Box Compatibility

[mao_dze_dun]

I'm considering using this pair but unfortunately the original BIOS pre-dates the release of the 4790k. Updating it would not be that much of a problem if I already had an Intel CPU for the 1150 socket, but sadly I'm planning an upgrade from an AMD system.
Can anybody confirm whether the system will be able to boot in the BIOS even without the update, so I can do it manually with an USB stick? I wouldn't want to have deal with returning the motherboard or even worse - do something to the CPU itself.

 

[Crashman]

I'm considering using this pair but unfortunately the original BIOS pre-dates the release of the 4790k. Updating it would not be that much of a problem if I already had an Intel CPU for the 1150 socket, but sadly I'm planning an upgrade from an AMD system.
Can anybody confirm whether the system will be able to boot in the BIOS even without the update, so I can do it manually with an USB stick? I wouldn't want to have deal with returning the motherboard or even worse - do something to the CPU itself.

What you're saying is impossible. Z97 was launched as a re-branded Z87 along side "Haswell Refresh" processors.

 

[rockie_]

- - - .

 

[Crashman]

Might need BIOS update .

But Asus Z97-E support i7 4790K since the the first BIOS
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97E/HelpDesk_CPU/

What you're saying is impossible. Z97 was launched as a re-branded Z87 along side "Haswell Refresh" processors. What I'm saying is that if it had incompatible firmware, it would also have a Z87 model name. The whole point of the "rebrand" was to assure buyers that the boards would be compatible with the new CPU.

And people wonder why I quit giving advice...

 

[rockie_]

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[mao_dze_dun]

Might need BIOS update .

But Asus Z97-E support i7 4790K since the the first BIOS
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97E/HelpDesk_CPU/

What you're saying is impossible. Z97 was launched as a re-branded Z87 along side "Haswell Refresh" processors. What I'm saying is that if it had incompatible firmware, it would also have a Z87 model name. The whole point of the "rebrand" was to assure buyers that the boards would be compatible with the new CPU

However according to Asrock's website, the 4790k support was added with BIOS version 1.30 or is that just the auto OC profile?:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z97%20Extreme3/?cat=Download&os=BIOS

 

[Crashman]

Might need BIOS update .

But Asus Z97-E support i7 4790K since the the first BIOS
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z97E/HelpDesk_CPU/

What you're saying is impossible. Z97 was launched as a re-branded Z87 along side "Haswell Refresh" processors. What I'm saying is that if it had incompatible firmware, it would also have a Z87 model name. The whole point of the "rebrand" was to assure buyers that the boards would be compatible with the new CPU

However according to Asrock's website, the 4790k support was added with BIOS version 1.30 or is that just the auto OC profile?:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z97%20Extreme3/?cat=Download&os=BIOS

Please allow my to clarify with a brief history lesson: We were talking about "Devil's Canyon" way back in December of 2013, and the INDUSTRY QUESTION was "How will buyers know that the board they're buying is compatible with the new CPUs". Intel's answer was "Easy, we'll call them Z97". ASRock got the processors in February of 2014 if I recall correctly, and didn't launch its Z97 boards until May of 2014.

All major manufacturers followed the Z97 launch with firmware updates to the Z87, so any major-brand Z87 motherboard produced in the past six months should be 4790k compatible, and all PRODUCTION Z97 motherboards have been 4790k compatible since day 1.

 

[mao_dze_dun]

In that case what is up with the 1.30 update? Honestly my main concern is if the thing will just boot in BIOS when turned on. After that I can update it - no problem.

 

[Crashman]

In that case what is up with the 1.30 update? Honestly my main concern is if the thing will just boot in BIOS when turned on. After that I can update it - no problem.

No clue, I'm just the guy that reviewed ASRock's earliest production Z97 motherboards using a Core i7-4790k
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mainstream-gaming-z97-motherboard,3824-17.html

 

[rockie_]

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[mao_dze_dun]

In that case what is up with the 1.30 update? Honestly my main concern is if the thing will just boot in BIOS when turned on. After that I can update it - no problem.

No clue, I'm just the guy that reviewed ASRock's earliest production Z97 motherboards using a Core i7-4790k
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mainstream-gaming-z97-motherboard,3824-17.html

Fair enough, I'll take your word for it . Thanks for the info

rockie_: The Z97 Extreme 3 has 8 phase design and although I've 0 intent to overclock I still prefer it. And I don't really mind the lack of SLI support - I've a 290x and have been AMD faithful for some years, now, but thank you for the info nonetheless

 

[mao_dze_dun]

Just wanted to do a follow-up for future reference in case other people run into the problem - the motherboard worked out of the box, no problem. Recognised the 4790K immediately.