Flashing BIOS on MSI Z97 Gaming 5 HELP

[Jmbaffo]

I'm going to buy the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 mobo for my first build but I'm scared from seeing the feedback from people that the BIOS is outdated and a lot of people are failing their boards when they flash it, will this be a problem for me? And can someone explain what the different methods of flashing (like M-flash) do? I have a feeling this will also be specific to my build so please take a look at my build here: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Jmbaffo/saved/Q2RnTW

 

[cin19]

From your list, if you can pick up the i5 4690K + the Mb in MC store, you will save more for the bundle. Also if you pick the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 in the store, you can check the MB series number right the way to see you need update the BIOS for the i5 4690K or not. How to read the barcode to verify manufacture date. http://us.msi.com/page/warranty#w-mb
Because the i5 need at least 1.2 version BIOS ( or 7917v12.zip ) http://www.msi.com/support/mb/Z97-GAMING-5.html#support_support as long as the MB was made after 5/22/2014, the MB will have the new BIOS for the i5 4690K.
For the M-flash watch the video http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=m-flash&qpvt=M-flash&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=8E5D6773BE3E138ADD418E5D6773BE3E138ADD41

Or you can get the ASUS Z97-Pro with i5 4690K.

Also if you only use the single GPU you may buy other PSU, and GPU, because 750W will be overkill, check the link.
PSU Antec HCG M Series HCG-620M 620W for $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059
MSI R9 270X for same price $140, but it is better than the gtx 750ti. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127761
Or r9 280 for $160 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202099
If you want NVidia GPU, I recommend to get the gtx760, even gtx660ti. And the HCG-620M will handle those GPUs.

 

[PIEapple]

Don't be too scare about BIOS update.That is easy and stable now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPXxzWiAnDQ
Just don't use live update to update bios.
Use M-FLASH to update bios is best and stable way.

 

[klrman]

I wouldn't say it's stable. I'm on the MSI forums often as I own two MSI boards and I have yet to update my BIOS due to so many people bricking their boards using the "correct" procedure.

 

[Jmbaffo]

From your list, if you can pick up the i5 4690K + the Mb in MC store, you will save more for the bundle. Also if you pick the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 in the store, you can check the MB series number right the way to see you need update the BIOS for the i5 4690K or not. How to read the barcode to verify manufacture date. http://us.msi.com/page/warranty#w-mb
Because the i5 need at least 1.2 version BIOS ( or 7917v12.zip ) http://www.msi.com/support/mb/Z97-GAMING-5.html#support_support as long as the MB was made after 5/22/2014, the MB will have the new BIOS for the i5 4690K.
For the M-flash watch the video http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=m-flash&qpvt=M-flash&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=8E5D6773BE3E138ADD418E5D6773BE3E138ADD41

Or you can get the ASUS Z97-Pro with i5 4690K.

Also if you only use the single GPU you may buy other PSU, and GPU, because 750W will be overkill, check the link.
PSU Antec HCG M Series HCG-620M 620W for $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059
MSI R9 270X for same price $140, but it is better than the gtx 750ti. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127761
Or r9 280 for $160 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202099
If you want NVidia GPU, I recommend to get the gtx760, even gtx660ti. And the HCG-620M will handle those GPUs.

Thank you for the response, but unfortunately I checked this thread too late, I've already bought the PSU however, I did go to micro center to get that bundle and they were out of stock so i have a rain check for those two items. I'm not too sure I trust radeon cards though, I feel like they are less reliable and less powerful, I'll check some stuff out for that card and get back to you if I think its good for me.

 

[Jmbaffo]

From your list, if you can pick up the i5 4690K + the Mb in MC store, you will save more for the bundle. Also if you pick the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 in the store, you can check the MB series number right the way to see you need update the BIOS for the i5 4690K or not. How to read the barcode to verify manufacture date. http://us.msi.com/page/warranty#w-mb
Because the i5 need at least 1.2 version BIOS ( or 7917v12.zip ) http://www.msi.com/support/mb/Z97-GAMING-5.html#support_support as long as the MB was made after 5/22/2014, the MB will have the new BIOS for the i5 4690K.
For the M-flash watch the video http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=m-flash&qpvt=M-flash&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=8E5D6773BE3E138ADD418E5D6773BE3E138ADD41

Or you can get the ASUS Z97-Pro with i5 4690K.

Also if you only use the single GPU you may buy other PSU, and GPU, because 750W will be overkill, check the link.
PSU Antec HCG M Series HCG-620M 620W for $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059
MSI R9 270X for same price $140, but it is better than the gtx 750ti. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127761
Or r9 280 for $160 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202099
If you want NVidia GPU, I recommend to get the gtx760, even gtx660ti. And the HCG-620M will handle those GPUs.

So I did some more research on the R9 270X and found this article that caught my eye: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1043?vs=1130
I am convinced now that it may be better that the GTX 750 Ti, but I would also like to know what your personal experiences with this card were like (if you did own one) because I'm still a bit skeptical about it.

 

[cin19]

Sorry I don't have either gtx750ti or the 270x, I use the gtx570 now. Also I used to have the CF HD4770. So either AMD os Nvidia will be good. And either from price or performance the 270x is better. Like GIGABYTE GV-R927XOC-2GD for $138 after MIR plus free game. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125476

 

[Jmbaffo]

Sorry I don't have either gtx750ti or the 270x, I use the gtx570 now. Also I used to have the CF HD4770. So either AMD os Nvidia will be good. And either from price or performance the 270x is better. Like GIGABYTE GV-R927XOC-2GD for $138 after MIR plus free game. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125476

One more question (sorry), would it be better to invest in the MSI R9 270X 2G or 4G? I'm not exactly sure if it is worth the extra $40 dollars for 2 more gigs of vram, thanks.

 

[cin19]

Get the 2GB version, I saw this question for while on the here or other forum, and here is one review: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card Review – 2GB or 4GB of VRAM
Read more at http://www.legitreviews.com/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-760-4gb-video-card-review-2gb-4gb_129062/6#PJuAkWGb5l50t2Bs.99

 

[Jmbaffo]

Get the 2GB version, I saw this question for while on the here or other forum, and here is one review: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 4GB Video Card Review – 2GB or 4GB of VRAM
Read more at http://www.legitreviews.com/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-760-4gb-video-card-review-2gb-4gb_129062/6#PJuAkWGb5l50t2Bs.99

Ok thank you for your help.