MSI Z87-G45 gaming mobo and i5-4690k CPU compatibility

[warpigs101]

So this is my first build, and in my excitement i neglected to notice the bios update required for the Z87 motherboard to work the the i5-4690k CPU. I was wondering if there is any way to install the BIOS update without having the CPU installed yet, or if the CPU can be installed just to boot up to the BIOS to do the update. Or if my only option is to find a cheap, compatible CPU to install the update. Many thanks for any help!!

 

[legend001523]

i think you need a older cpu to update it, some boards have this biod update already so some z87 boards are ready to use out the box, not sure if yours is one doe...

 

[warpigs101]

i think you need a older cpu to update it, some boards have this biod update already so some z87 boards are ready to use out the box, not sure if yours is one doe...

Ok. I will wait till my ram and video card come in and give it a shot without the cpu installed. As long as it's not a threat to any of the hardware to do such a thing lol.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

MSI doesn't have an upgrade option without a CPU.

ASUS does on most of their high end boards.

Sometimes it will still boot with the new CPU so you can update the BIOS later.

 

[Karadjgne]

MSI is one of the better companies as far as staying on top of bios updates goes and that board is a popular model. You should be fine, should. But no guarantees. I'd give customer support a call and verify.

 

[warpigs101]

MSI is one of the better companies as far as staying on top of bios updates goes and that board is a popular model. You should be fine, should. But no guarantees. I'd give customer support a call and verify.

I'll do that right now, thanks.

 

[smorizio]

before you go crazy did you look at the cmos bios lable on the mb and check to see what rev was already on the mb. as some have posted some bios rev will boot with the new cpu they just wont be read right.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

On my Z97 Gigabyte it still booted my 4790K even though the BIOS wasn't up to date.

Updated the BIOS after that , so there's a good chance it will still boot even without the newest BIOS.

 

[warpigs101]

I just gave the MSI customer service a call and gave them my serial number to figure out the manufactured date (some time in March) for the motherboard. The guy told me the BIOS update (1.7) required for the haswell refresh compatibility came out in Febuary so it should be installed already on the MOBO, but it's a toss up if it actually is or not.

Tried finding the BIOS label on the motherboard, but no luck so far. Just gonna cross my fingers and hope for the best for now. Otherwise MSI said I could ship the motherboard into them and they will do the BIOS update for me.

 

[legend001523]

I just gave the MSI customer service a call and gave them my serial number to figure out the manufactured date (some time in March) for the motherboard. The guy told me the BIOS update (1.7) required for the haswell refresh compatibility came out in Febuary so it should be installed already on the MOBO, but it's a toss up if it actually is or not.

Tried finding the BIOS label on the motherboard, but no luck so far. Just gonna cross my fingers and hope for the best for now. Otherwise MSI said I could ship the motherboard into them and they will do the BIOS update for me.

Good guy msi 😛

 

[warpigs101]

Right? Guy was real helpful with the whole thing.

 

[smorizio]

on msi mb they stick it on top of the cpu chip. it be a small white label.

 

[warpigs101]

on msi mb they stick it on top of the cpu chip. it be a small white label.

The only thing I can find relating to any type of version of anything is small label just above the motherboard battery saying "MS-7821 V1.2". I'm HOPING that's not the BIOS version lol.

 

[tomashen]

hey dude how did the whole thing workout??? did the pc boot or was the mobo updated for your cpu??

 

[anonymouse99]

on msi mb they stick it on top of the cpu chip. it be a small white label.

The only thing I can find relating to any type of version of anything is small label just above the motherboard battery saying "MS-7821 V1.2". I'm HOPING that's not the BIOS version lol.

I have a similar question. Roughly when did you get your Z87 and what specific BIOS was on it? Were you able to boot with an unsupported CPU and update your BIOS? Thanks! 😀

(I tried to PM you but not sure if this feature is supported on these forums?)

 

[Karadjgne]

Yes, pm is supported.
As far as bios goes, the cpu is an lga 1150, so the basic design is supported. What a bios update does is allow the recognition of the few extra instruction sets that the refresh have that the original Haswell doesn't. Best thing to do is get the bios updates on a memory stick, and install/update from bios before Windows installation