Do I need to update my bios on an AM3 Ready motherboard

[Joe6446]

My motherboard says that it is "AM3 Ready" I got a cheap secondhand phenom ii x6 1100T for about 50 dollars off of Ebay, is it possible that I can install this CPU without updating my BIOS because I don't want to risk the motherboard dying.

 

[clutchc]

Let me know the make/model of the board and we'll look up the BIOS version required for that CPU. You can then compare it to the version you have now.

 

[Joe6446]

Thanks for the response, my mobo is a Gigabyte MA770-UD3

 

[Calvin7]

Your Revision number is printed on the lower left corner of motherboard. Phenom II x6 1100T requires the latest BIOS version.

rev. 1.0 need version F9G
rev. 2.1 or rev. 2.0 need version FKD

 

[Joe6446]

I have rev 2.1, does that still mean I need the BIOS?

 

[clutchc]

Here is the CPU support list for that board (Rev 2.1): http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3302
It lists the BIOS versions required for the various CPUs to be recognized. As mentioned above, you will need version FKD. Check which BIOS you have now.

 

[Joe6446]

Here is the CPU support list for that board (Rev 2.1): http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3302
It lists the BIOS versions required for the various CPUs to be recognized. As mentioned above, you will need version FKD. Check which BIOS you have now.

I have a version from 2009, since FKD was released in 2011 I guess I have to upgrade.
Now if I could have a decent guide on how to do it...

 

[clutchc]

Here is the CPU support list for that board (Rev 2.1): http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3302
It lists the BIOS versions required for the various CPUs to be recognized. As mentioned above, you will need version FKD. Check which BIOS you have now.

I have a version from 2009, since FKD was released in 2011 I guess I have to upgrade.
Now if I could have a decent guide on how to do it...

You can do it from inside BIOS or inside Windows.
http://www.gigabyte.com/webpage/20/HowToReflashBIOS.html
If you are new to this sort of thing, I recommend using @BIOS from inside Windows. It has always been flawless for me when I've used it on my Gigabyte builds. But before using it, I suggest you make sure your system is stable and not prone to crashing. Might want to run CCleaner first and make sure all is copacetic by doing the clean and registry portions before anything. Then reboot. https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

 

[Joe6446]

Here is the CPU support list for that board (Rev 2.1): http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3302
It lists the BIOS versions required for the various CPUs to be recognized. As mentioned above, you will need version FKD. Check which BIOS you have now.

I have a version from 2009, since FKD was released in 2011 I guess I have to upgrade.
Now if I could have a decent guide on how to do it...

You can do it from inside BIOS or inside Windows.
http://www.gigabyte.com/webpage/20/HowToReflashBIOS.html
If you are new to this sort of thing, I recommend using @BIOS from inside Windows. It has always been flawless for me when I've used it on my Gigabyte builds. But before using it, I suggest you make sure your system is stable and not prone to crashing. Might want to run CCleaner first and make sure all is copacetic by doing the clean and registry portions before anything. Then reboot. https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Okay, I ran CCleaner, should I reset bios to defaults and clear
any overclock settings that I have?

 

[clutchc]

Here is the CPU support list for that board (Rev 2.1): http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3302
It lists the BIOS versions required for the various CPUs to be recognized. As mentioned above, you will need version FKD. Check which BIOS you have now.

I have a version from 2009, since FKD was released in 2011 I guess I have to upgrade.
Now if I could have a decent guide on how to do it...

You can do it from inside BIOS or inside Windows.
http://www.gigabyte.com/webpage/20/HowToReflashBIOS.html
If you are new to this sort of thing, I recommend using @BIOS from inside Windows. It has always been flawless for me when I've used it on my Gigabyte builds. But before using it, I suggest you make sure your system is stable and not prone to crashing. Might want to run CCleaner first and make sure all is copacetic by doing the clean and registry portions before anything. Then reboot. https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Okay, I ran CCleaner, should I reset bios to defaults and clear
any overclock settings that I have?

Probably best to avoid any issues. I like to do the flash from a clean boot sfter the PC has set idle for a few minutes. But keep in mind, after the BIOS flash is done, the new BIOS will be at default settings. So you'll have to re-enter any settings you had changed anyway.

 

[Joe6446]

Thanks, I've successfully flashed the bios! now to install the CPU .

 

[clutchc]

Thanks, I've successfully flashed the bios! now to install the CPU .

Don't forget to reset any BIOS settings that are important. But don't OC anything yet. Btw, that board is not designed for OC'ing. Do so at your own risk.

 

[Joe6446]

Thanks, I've successfully flashed the bios! now to install the CPU .

Don't forget to reset any BIOS settings that are important. But don't OC anything yet. Btw, that board is not designed for OC'ing. Do so at your own risk.

Really? I overclocked my Phenom 9850 BE to 3 Ghz without it being unstable.

 

[clutchc]

Thanks, I've successfully flashed the bios! now to install the CPU .

Don't forget to reset any BIOS settings that are important. But don't OC anything yet. Btw, that board is not designed for OC'ing. Do so at your own risk.

Really? I overclocked my Phenom 9850 BE to 3 Ghz without it being unstable.

You're lucky. It's not stability of the CPU's OC I was concerned with. It was the life of the board. It only has 4+1 phase power and no heat sinks on the VRMs. If you continue to OC on that board, do so knowing you are doing it at your own risk.

 

[Joe6446]

Thanks, I've successfully flashed the bios! now to install the CPU .

Don't forget to reset any BIOS settings that are important. But don't OC anything yet. Btw, that board is not designed for OC'ing. Do so at your own risk.

Really? I overclocked my Phenom 9850 BE to 3 Ghz without it being unstable.

You're lucky. It's not stability of the CPU's OC I was concerned with. It was the life of the board. It only has 4+1 phase power and no heat sinks on the VRMs. If you continue to OC on that board, do so knowing you are doing it at your own risk.

So is it possible for a custom solution to this, I have old fans from laptops and the like lying around,or should I get a new AM3 board?

 

[clutchc]

Well, if you were to go to the expense and trouble of getting a new board, you might as well make a complete platform change to the AM3+ socket. There are add-on VRM heat sinks you can buy. But I've never used any to know how well they work. http://www.moddiy.com/products/Passive-Heatsink-MOSFET-Chipsink-9mm-%252d-Blue.html?gclid=CIe_6ayxx8cCFQUMaQodF-IKjw
Here's a sticky that may be of some use. http://www.overclock.net/t/943109/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-125w-tdp-processors

If you can get a substantial OC w/o having to raise the core voltage much, that will help keep the mosfets cooler.