Do I need to update BIOS (Xeon Lynnfield)

[Meong]

Hello All,

My current motherboard is Gigabyte H55M-UD2H. I want to upgrade my processor from i3-540 to Xeon X3460.

From what I have read, I need a new BIOS update, to a minimum required version of F9. I try to prevent BIOS updates because I have had one laptop BIOS broke down on me while it is updating! Actually the laptop is not shut down, the whole process is something like completed, until BIOS verification process where it failed, not knowing why. When it happens I know my laptop's mobo is basically dead. Yeah actually it is.

The Xeon, is currently being delivered. But what's confusing is actually my Core i3 has a stepping of K0, which, in my motherboard's support website, requires F9 bios when I only have F8. But it runs perfectly fine. So I want to ask, will the Xeon work without me updating the Motherboard to F9/newer? Or just tell me that I was the less-than-1-percent unlucky ones when updating my BIOS? Had some successful BIOS update, but one failed one made it enough for me to learn it the hard way, not to update that kind of stuff when it's not critical.

Thanks!

 

[ak47jar3d]

Yes, you will need bios f9 to use x3460. I wouldn't be too worried about updating bios, it rarely if ever fails. I have done a couple hundred by now and it has only failed on me twice (non in the last 5 years). I guess you were unlucky in your attempt.

 

[Meong]

Yes, you will need bios f9 to use x3460. I wouldn't be too worried about updating bios, it rarely if ever fails. I have done a couple hundred by now and it has only failed on me twice (non in the last 5 years). I guess you were unlucky in your attempt.

Thank you for your advice. For your info and others who are curious I used the Windows based Flash update utility @BIOS. I downloaded it from Gigabyte's website, along with the EXE file which is something like extractor. There will be 3 files, one autoexec, one FLASHSPI.exe, and the corresponding BIOS file h55mud2h.f11. I updated from F8 to F11 BIOS successfully, but using the @BIOS utility downloaded separately from their website, not by using FLASHSPI. Updated using Windows 10 64-bit.

Previously I actually used what people *said* is the best method on my previously bricked laptop, which is directly from the BIOS and pointing to the new BIOS file for update. Right now I don't really think that BIOS updates are really done worse when we update from Windows. Gave us sense of control after a BIOS update failure, on Windows you have a working computer when the update fails, and you can try some other steps to reflash the (previously failed attempt to update) BIOS. When you update from BIOS, you only get the 'failed' message and you know you can do absolutely nothing software-wise. Well, it's just my experience.

Actually I am still a little bit curious, but actually doesn't really matter now, how can I use i3-540 using the K0 stepping, which in the website, requires F9 BIOS, while I only have F8 and it's still doing fine?

Anyway, thanks! I suppose I am now ready for the Xeon. Really grateful right now because I had previous failed one.

 

[ak47jar3d]

Its possible, but not recommended. The processor in certain cases could work without the right bios version. More often than not, you want be able to boot without the right bios.

 

[Meong]

I found myself looking all over internet whether the combination of home H55 motherboards with Xeon (before my Xeon arrived) will work before, quite desperately actually. So I decided I would try to help fellow guys who have not upgraded yet but willing to. I have confirmed that it works. Gigabyte H55M-UD2H with Xeon X3460. (Even though on their website they say they support X3450 and X3480 only)
I am now using Non-ECC RAM previously used on my i3-540.

There are some troubles, such as the Intel Turbo Boost which, in BIOS, is disabled by default. Just enable it and you're okay.
Another trouble is, I have some kind of slight overheat problem. My Xeon with stepping 5 needs a default voltage of 1.235-1.24V. Whereas i3 stepping K0's default is just ~1.16V. I could use around 1.13V (yes, undervolting) on my i3 at 3.68GHz (dual-core). (160MHz BLCK) Seems quite harder in Xeon in which I have to use above 1.16V (well, still undervolt anyway) to get just 3.64GHz (only when 1 core is used? Or 2 not sure) on Turbo. (140MHz BLCK) I thought it is better binned, but now I don't really know. Power consumption also skyrockets almost twice on heavy loads (from HWmonitor)
Just don't forget to have your own discrete GPU when using Xeon as this stuff doesn't have one. Have a nice day!

Edit : corrections