[SOLVED] In need of a motherboard that is compatible with an i7 4790k out of the box

[Galactic Gunk]

My motherboard has recently failed me and I'm looking for a replacement. I remember on that board I had to use my old cpu to boot it to update the BIOS to even recognize the i7. I no longer have that CPU and only the i7 so I was hoping there is a motherboard out there that supports it out of the box?

 

[geofelt]

What was the make/model of the old motherboard?
You will have fewer activation issues if you use the same motherboard.
Any new stock will already have the current bios updated.

 

[Galactic Gunk]

it was the BIOSTAR Hi-Fi Z87X 3D, but between having to update it to recognize the CPU and it failing on me I was wanting to go a different direction.

 

[USAFRet]

My motherboard has recently failed me and I'm looking for a replacement. I remember on that board I had to use my old cpu to boot it to update the BIOS to even recognize the i7. I no longer have that CPU and only the i7 so I was hoping there is a motherboard out there that supports it out of the box?

I have that same CPU and the ASRock Z97M OC Formula

ASRock > Z97M OC Formula

ASRock Super Alloy, - XXL Aluminum Alloy Heatsink, - Premium Alloy Choke (Reduces 70% core loss compared to iron powder choke), - NexFET™ MOSFET, - Nichicon 12K Platinum Caps (100% Japan made high quality conductive polymer capacitors), - Sapphire Black PCB; OC Formula Kit, » OC Formula Power...

www.asrock.com

https://www.amazon.com/ASRock-Z97M-OC-FORMULA-Motherboard/dp/B00KRFD03W

 

[Galactic Gunk]

I have that same CPU and the ASRock Z97M OC Formula

ASRock > Z97M OC Formula

ASRock Super Alloy, - XXL Aluminum Alloy Heatsink, - Premium Alloy Choke (Reduces 70% core loss compared to iron powder choke), - NexFET™ MOSFET, - Nichicon 12K Platinum Caps (100% Japan made high quality conductive polymer capacitors), - Sapphire Black PCB; OC Formula Kit, » OC Formula Power...

www.asrock.com

https://www.amazon.com/ASRock-Z97M-OC-FORMULA-Motherboard/dp/B00KRFD03W

That one's showing it works with BIOS version P1.40 instead of all versions.. It's looking like no matter how I slice it I'm gonna have to update the BIOS on whatever motherboard I grab. Is it possible to update a BIOS without a CPU installed?

 

[USAFRet]

That one's showing it works with BIOS version P1.40 instead of all versions.. It's looking like no matter how I slice it I'm gonna have to update the BIOS on whatever motherboard I grab. Is it possible to update a BIOS without a CPU installed?

The 1.40 was the very first update version, 3 weeks after the initial 1.30. June 4 2014.
I'd guess than ANY board you might find is at that level already.

 

[Galactic Gunk]

The 1.40 was the very first update version, 3 weeks after the initial 1.30. June 4 2014.
I'd guess than ANY board you might find is at that level already.

So chances are if I get, say, a Z97-A off Amazon slightly used, it'll be updated enough to work with the CPU? I just don't want to have to send it back and try again with another one.

 

[geofelt]

That one's showing it works with BIOS version P1.40 instead of all versions.. It's looking like no matter how I slice it I'm gonna have to update the BIOS on whatever motherboard I grab. Is it possible to update a BIOS without a CPU installed?

Older gen, you need a cpu to update the bios.
But, if you buy new stock, it will come with the most recent bios.
If you are looking at used, the seller may know the bios level.
Since the Z97 chipset is newer, it will be more likely to have a supported bios.
Probably a 4790K will run in any, but you might have to use the 4790K to update a bios to support some of the overclocking options of a K processor.

 

[Galactic Gunk]

Older gen, you need a cpu to update the bios.
But, if you buy new stock, it will come with the most recent bios.
If you are looking at used, the seller may know the bios level.
Since the Z97 chipset is newer, it will be more likely to have a supported bios.
Probably a 4790K will run in any, but you might have to use the 4790K to update a bios to support some of the overclocking options of a K processor.

I can't find any "new" as far as I'm seeing on Amazon, just third party vendors selling "used - like new" I guess they don't make any lga1150 motherboards anymore.

And as far as overclocking goes, I'm not looking to get into any of that. I just want a working computer again.

 

[Galactic Gunk]

I'm gonna roll the dice and get a z97-a off Amazon. Thanks everyone for the input!