Need help with upgrading cpu and ASUS flashing?

minhaz23

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May 18, 2013
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Good afternoon. I have tons of questions to ask and i would like the community to help me out. A few days ago ive decided to upgrade from my i3-2120 to an i5-3570k and also decided to purchase a 2 x 4GB ram to replace my 4GB. I am a complete beginner when it comes to this therefore i need all the help from you guys! Let me post my specs before i post the questions. Here i go:

P8H61-M LE/CSM R2.0
Intel i3-2120
4GB
450 PSU
Radeon HD 7850

1. Is it nessessary to do a bios upgrade if i want to upgrade to the i5-3750? Ive heard stories of people bricking their mobos, and ive heard that you don't need to flash? I have provided screenshots of my bios version, and the version that is needed for the i5 below:
http://imgur.com/a/PhPCd


2. I have found the website that has my MOBO BIOS, but there is a section called BIOS utiliy. Do i need to do anything there?
Website(http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8H61M_LECSM_R20/HelpDesk_Download/)

3. Ive read the manual of my MOBO and it has something called "ASUS EZ flash 2 utility" Is that what i use to flash the bios?

3. Do i flash the BIOS with my i3-2120 or do i install the i5 first?

4. Ive read another forum which they spoke about memory issues, should i remove the 4gb stick memory before doing so?

Thanks for the support!
 
Solution
For me , you dont need BIOS update , for i5 3570K . It seems to be supported from the first BIOS - 0402
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8H61M_LECSM_R20/HelpDesk_CPU/

Also , since you re running i3 2120 , you must have BIOS 0402 at least , the same which supports i5 3570K

If ever you need to flash BIOS , first flash it , then change the processors
For me , you dont need BIOS update , for i5 3570K . It seems to be supported from the first BIOS - 0402
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8H61M_LECSM_R20/HelpDesk_CPU/

Also , since you re running i3 2120 , you must have BIOS 0402 at least , the same which supports i5 3570K

If ever you need to flash BIOS , first flash it , then change the processors
 
Solution
1.- Yes, it seems you have an older version than the required one for the CPU, so you need to update your BIOS version.

2/3.- I suggest you to follow the method described in your manual.

You have to flash it using your i3-2120, otherwise your mobo might not be able to recognize the i5 and won't be able to even boot.

4.- I've seen some people having issues with their memory modules after flashing, usually because they didn't have it's bios settings at default so just in case set it to default (except of course your SATA mode).

There's always a risk when flashing a BIOS, if the procedure were to be interrupted that can easily lead to a broken BIOS, practically requiring you to get a new mobo, so just make sure nothing/no one will touch anything in the pc or cutting off the electricity while flashing and you should be fine.
 

minhaz23

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May 18, 2013
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sorry but what do you mean default? because i never used the boot menu, so im assuming that it is already at default?
 
You need to make sure what mb you had, P8H61-M LE/CSM R2.0 or P8H61-M LE? Because from the screenshot, that is for the P8H61-M LE, cpu support list http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8H61M_LE/HelpDesk_CPU/ and P8H61-M LE/CSM R2.0 will be http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8H61M_LECSM_R20/HelpDesk_Download/

Now back to your question.
1) If your MB is the P8H61-M LE/CSM R2.0, you don't need to update the BIOS because both i3 2120 and i5 3570k require the 0402 version, that is the 1st version I guess. If your MB is P8H61-M LE, and you need to update. That is why I ask you make sure which one you have.
2) Make sure which MB you had.
3) If you update the BIOS, you need use the i3 2120, and download the BIOS to the USB, check the manual for more detail, or watch the youtube here for how to http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ASUS+EZ+flash+2+utility&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=8F23AC74F8571F0F0AF58F23AC74F8571F0F0AF5
After done the update, switch the cpu, also if you don't feel comfortable to do the BIOS update, you are better ask your friend or local pc shop for help.
4) If your MB is the P8H61-M LE/CSM R2.0, the problem maybe from RAM, you can try install the i5 3570K and the old 4 GB RAM, if the PC can boot that means the new RAM may have problem. If the PC can't boot the problem maybe from something else. Also you can try clean the CMOS by remove the battery, with the i3 cpu and install only one stick new RAM into different slot, this is other way to test the new RAM, because the PC works well before you did the upgrade.
 

minhaz23

Honorable
May 18, 2013
33
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10,530


Hey, i decided to go on and update the bios, my mobo was P8H61-M LE/CSM R2.0. I upgraded to 1414 and Everything went as planned, and only took a few minutes! Thank you guys again, and this should be able to run the i5, yes?