Help Potentially Updating BIOS

[FellIndigo]

So, I didn't do enough research, and now I have a i5 4590 + ASRock B85 Pro4 on their way, I thoght they were compatible but apparently haswell R cpu's need a BIOS update (I think). I've never done that before, can i get a rundown or confirmation that it's alright without one?

 

[Wolfshadw]

You will likely need a BIOS update in order to run that processor. The motherboard *might* come with the updated BIOS, but it's unlikely. You *may* need a currently supported processor in order to update the BIOS to a version that supports your incoming processor. If you do not have one and cannot get your hands on one for the short time you need it, it would save you some headaches to simply take the system to a computer store and have them use one of their chips to upgrade your BIOS for you (at a cost).

If you can get into BIOS using your motherboard and incoming chip, you can do it yourself.
If you cannot get into BIOS using your motherboard and incoming chip, you will need some help.

If you can do it yourself, you need to follow the instructions ASRock provides to the letter. Otherwise, you could brick your system before you even get it running.

-Wolf sends

 

[FellIndigo]

You will likely need a BIOS update in order to run that processor. The motherboard *might* come with the updated BIOS, but it's unlikely. You *may* need a currently supported processor in order to update the BIOS to a version that supports your incoming processor. If you do not have one and cannot get your hands on one for the short time you need it, it would save you some headaches to simply take the system to a computer store and have them use one of their chips to upgrade your BIOS for you (at a cost).

If you can get into BIOS using your motherboard and incoming chip, you can do it yourself.
If you cannot get into BIOS using your motherboard and incoming chip, you will need some help.

If you can do it yourself, you need to follow the instructions ASRock provides to the letter. Otherwise, you could brick your system before you even get it running.

-Wolf sends

"follow the instructions ASRock provides to the letter" I dont know what that means, ill do some research but i have another cpu, an i5 655k i believe that was in (My sister's) pc, which is what im working on. So i should try with the new one. Then try with the old one if that doesnt work. Also why would i have to update the BIOS if i can get into the BIOS already? Wouldn't that mean it was already updated?

 

[Wolfshadw]

There are very specific procedures to follow when updating a motherboard's BIOS. Failure in following those procedures exactly as outlined could mean your brand new motherboard becomes useless. That's what I mean when I say follow the instructions ASRock provides to the letter.

The Core I5 655K is not on your motherboard's CPU Support List. It will not work with your motherboard at all.

The motherboard BIOS is what determines what processors are fully compatible with your motherboard. In some cases, a CPU is sufficiently compatible with a motherboard to allow you to get into the BIOS and update it so that the processor is fully compatible. In other cases, it's not compatible at all (without the BIOS update) and you would need to use a fully BIOS compatible processor in order to update the BIOS to a version that fully supports the processor you intend to use.

If you look at the CPU Support List for the ASRock B85-Pro4 motherboard, the last column (Since BIOS) details what BIOS versions are required to make various processors completely compatible. In your case, the Intel Core I5-4590 requires BIOS version P2.00. Now it's likely that the motherboard will ship with a previous BIOS version installed by default.

If you build your system with your new parts, it's likely that your system will get at least as far as attempting BIOS. This should at the very least tell you what version of BIOS is currently installed and you can then determine whether a BIOS update (to version P2.00 or later) is required. If the motherboard comes with BIOS version P2.00 pre-installed, you should be able to get past the BIOS screen and start your OS installation without incident. If the motherboard comes with a BIOS version prior to P2.00 (P1.60, P1.80, P1.90), then you will require a BIOS update so your processor is fully compatible with your motherboard.

From here, there are two possible situations:

1) With the older BIOS version AND your current CPU, you are still able to enter BIOS and update it per the instructions from ASRock.
2) With the older BIOS version and your current CPU, you are unable to enter/update your BIOS.

If the latter is the issue, you will need a temporary CPU that is fully compatible with your current BIOS version (easiest to just say a CPU that's supported Since "ALL" BIOS on the CPU support list). If you do not have a processor that is compatible since ALL BIOS versions, you will either need to purchase one, borrow one from a friend, or take your motherboard/system to a computer shop and pay them to update the BIOS for you.

Hope this explains it.

-Wolf sends