Question Is a BIOS update required for a Ryzen 7 9800X3D on my ASUS ROG Strix B850-A motherboard ?

[AhhLegend]

Should I perform a BIOS update to version 1028 (the latest BIOS for my motherboard) - ASUS ROG Strix B850-A Gaming WIFI (https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-b850-a-gaming-wifi/) when using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU ?

Looking into the motherboard compatibility list on the ASUS website it says that the 9800X3D is compatible with 'all bios versions' (https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-b850-a-gaming-wifi/helpdesk_qvl_cpu/)- with this being said, Is it necessary to update as I know this can help with a lot of security and compatibility updates etc.

I have built the entire PC and have booted it up to see if all is working, fortunately everything is and I can mess around in the BIOS - i was even thinking of updating the BIOS through the BIOS menu via a USB with the BIOS file BEFORE installing Windows to make it simpler.

Whilst looking through the BIOS menu, I found that the current version is 0806 which is from 22/10/2024 in comparison to the latest BIOS version 1028 from 30/04/2025.

With all of this in mind, do you think I should update the BIOS before installing Windows now the PC is functioning fine, or leave the current BIOS at the version it is at as everything works fine?
If there are any further questions or need my full specs, let me know!

 

[Ralston18]

Sooner or later there will likely be a requirement or reason to update BIOS.

= = = =

My rule is "if it ain't broke then don't fix it".

Exception being if you are just interesting in tinkering and testing such things. To learn or to simply be at the forefront of the technologies involved.

And understand the risks involved.

Document everything, back up important data, be ready to do a restore at any time.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

[AhhLegend]

Sooner or later there will likely be a requirement or reason to update BIOS.

= = = =

My rule is "if it ain't broke then don't fix it".

Exception being if you are just interesting in tinkering and testing such things. To learn or to simply be at the forefront of the technologies involved.

And understand the risks involved.

Document everything, back up important data, be ready to do a restore at any time.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Thanks for your reply! I'm still a little conflicted, as your saying sooner or later there will be a required update so would it not be proactive to update the BIOS to the latest version before proceeding to install the OS?

I'm happy to not have to update the BIOS as everything seems to be functioning fine and taking your approach of "if it ain't broke then don't fix it" - and am worried if I update the BIOS that things could break or become incompatible.

Could i just use the BIOS flashback to revert back even with the whole build complete?

Also do you think it is a good idea if I were to update the BIOS, to do it through the BIOS menu and boot from USB?

 

[Ralston18]

Being proactive can be a good thing. However, too much of a good thing can end badly.

You can protect yourself/your build with backups, images, and recovery drives, etc..

Document and save configuration settings. Keep clear notes of all that you do and/or change for reference purposes. System specs - in detail. BIOS versions and history. A new version may seem fine for awhile - until something changes and all goes awry. That is when you will need to revert...

= = = =

Since I do not tinker with BIOS per se, I will defer to those members who do tinker with BIOS and who may wish to post their ideas and methods.

And I believe that I would be remiss if I did not mention downloading a copy of the motherboard's User Guide/Manual to an accessible and readable location. Plus documentation for all components and software.

May come in handy, especially the BIOS chapters, if things do go awry for any reason and you need to revert back to some early configuration.

 

[CountMike]

Should I perform a BIOS update to version 1028 (the latest BIOS for my motherboard) - ASUS ROG Strix B850-A Gaming WIFI (https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-b850-a-gaming-wifi/) when using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU ?

Looking into the motherboard compatibility list on the ASUS website it says that the 9800X3D is compatible with 'all bios versions' (https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-b850-a-gaming-wifi/helpdesk_qvl_cpu/)- with this being said, Is it necessary to update as I know this can help with a lot of security and compatibility updates etc.

I have built the entire PC and have booted it up to see if all is working, fortunately everything is and I can mess around in the BIOS - i was even thinking of updating the BIOS through the BIOS menu via a USB with the BIOS file BEFORE installing Windows to make it simpler.

Whilst looking through the BIOS menu, I found that the current version is 0806 which is from 22/10/2024 in comparison to the latest BIOS version 1028 from 30/04/2025.

With all of this in mind, do you think I should update the BIOS before installing Windows now the PC is functioning fine, or leave the current BIOS at the version it is at as everything works fine?
If there are any further questions or need my full specs, let me know!

I always update BIOS version to last applicable to specific CPU as a first thing after first BOOT and OS installation. They don't make them for no reason but to fix bugs or enable various functions. That way windows pick up all features and install appropriate default driver which you can update/change later on.

 

[VizzieTheViz]

I’m in the only update if there’s a good reason team (like something not working that is fixed in a later bios), but if you’ve just built your pc you could install the latest bios now so if something doesn’t work afterwards you won’t have to spend a lot of time reinstalling stuff (in the worst case scenario).

That said I’ve never ever in like 30 (getting old) years have had a bios update gone wrong if done exactly as described by the manufacturer.

 

[JayGau]

Your BIOS version is from before the 9800X3D launch. I suggest to update to make sure you have the optimal performance. You might have better X3D v-cache support, better stability with fast RAM, etc.

And like Vizzie, I have done countless of BIOS updates and never had a problem. Just download the latest version, use the provided Asus renamer script to rename the updater file, put it on a usb drive, reboot and go to the EZ flash tab, select the file on the usb drive and update. Will take a few minutes and you are done.

The only reason I don't like doing this is that it resets all my settings and I have to redo everything from scratch (and before somebody tells me that I can save my BIOS settings on an external drive and load it back, yes I know but I don't advise doing that for a BIOS update).