[SOLVED] New CPU Upgrade

Classic122

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Jun 26, 2019
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Hey all, I was wondering if any of you knew whether or not the FX 8350 paired with the Wraith Cooler is compatible with the M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3 Motherboard. If so, what BIOS version would I need and how would I check if I had it?

Specs:

CPU - AMD FX-4300 "Quad" Core
GPU - GTX 1060 6GB
Installed RAM - 16.0 GB DDR3
System Type - 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
 
Last edited:
Solution
Don't worry, I have not done anything to the BIOS. The full name as written on the physical motherboard is " M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3" I did not include that last part because I expected the M5A78L-M motherboards to run on the same BIOS. Sorry about that.
OK, good. That is not the same board as I thought. The Plus/USB3 uses a different BIOS. And there was only one ever produced for it; the one you have. So it will support the 125W FX-8350 or 8370 as is. Be sure to use the cooler that came/comes with the FX-8350, or get a better one. Don't use the same one the FX-4300 came with.

Classic122

Commendable
Jun 26, 2019
29
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1,535
It's compatible. Just don't do any serious (or maybe any) OC'ing with that 125W CPU on that board. You'll need at least the 1401 BIOS for the FX-8350 to be recognized.

CPU-Z/Mainboard will give you the current BIOS you have.

According to CPU-Z, my BIOS brand is American Megatrends running on version 0502 with a date of 11/18/2016. The version looks outdated but the date is more recent. What should I do?
 

Classic122

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Jun 26, 2019
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Wait!
I may be looking at the wrong m5a78l-m motherboard. Does your ASUS M5A78L-M board have any nomenclature after that part of the name?
See this list of ASUS M5A78L-M boards and let me know which you have. Don't mess with a BIOS update until we find out exactly which ASUS M5A78L-M board you have.
Don't worry, I have not done anything to the BIOS. The full name as written on the physical motherboard is " M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3" I did not include that last part because I expected the M5A78L-M motherboards to run on the same BIOS. Sorry about that.
 

clutchc

Titan
Ambassador
Don't worry, I have not done anything to the BIOS. The full name as written on the physical motherboard is " M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3" I did not include that last part because I expected the M5A78L-M motherboards to run on the same BIOS. Sorry about that.
OK, good. That is not the same board as I thought. The Plus/USB3 uses a different BIOS. And there was only one ever produced for it; the one you have. So it will support the 125W FX-8350 or 8370 as is. Be sure to use the cooler that came/comes with the FX-8350, or get a better one. Don't use the same one the FX-4300 came with.
 
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Classic122

Commendable
Jun 26, 2019
29
2
1,535
That is exactly what I was planning on getting! Are you sure it will fit in my board?
 

Classic122

Commendable
Jun 26, 2019
29
2
1,535
OK, good. That is not the same board as I thought. The Plus/USB3 uses a different BIOS. And there was only one ever produced for it; the one you have. So it will support the 125W FX-8350 or 8370 as is. Be sure to use the cooler that came/comes with the FX-8350, or get a better one. Don't use the same one the FX-4300 came with.
Thank you sooo much for this answer! You really helped me out.