Question Updating BIOS On A Motherboard Without Flashback Support

[NobleAlexander]

I have an older motherboard, an ASROCK A320M-HDV, that currently has an AMD Ryzen 3 2200G in it. The new that CPU is an AMD Ryzen 7 3700x.

From reading on the ASROCK site you need to update to 5.50 first, but I'm worried that the new CPU won't post to that bios version which would to my understanding make getting to the 5.90 that it wants difficult without flashback. Never done a bios update before, so I'm not certain.

Current BIOS version is 4.40.

 

[Lutfij]

What BIOS version are you currently on for your motherboard? You might want to reconsider dropping a 3000 or 5000 series Ryzen processor onto that motherboard, due to the lack of a proper VRM design, not to mention the lack of proper cooling for said VRM area.

If the BIOS update fails, you're going to need a CH341A BIOS programming toolkit to reflash the BIOS.

Moved thread from CPUs section to Motherboards section.

 

[NobleAlexander]

What BIOS version are you currently on for your motherboard? You might want to reconsider dropping a 3000 or 5000 series Ryzen processor onto that motherboard, due to the lack of a proper VRM design, not to mention the lack of proper cooling for said VRM area.

If the BIOS update fails, you're going to need a CH341A BIOS programming toolkit to reflash the BIOS.

Moved thread from CPUs section to Motherboards section.

Currently on P4.40. The full BIOS Version line is: American Megatrends Inc. P4.40

 

[stuff and nonesense]

In the bios there should be an update utility. Leave the 2200G in place and upgrade the bios using the built in tool. I never update through windows. Read the manual for instructions as to what is required regarding the thumb drive.

Enter the bios and follow its instructions for the upgrade.

When you have a version installed that the 3700x can work with swap the processors. You could stop there but it is worth upgrading to mitigate any vulnerabilities. Look at the bios versions newer than 5.5 on the download page, check the notes. See if there is a limit to how far you can jump forward to the current bios version. If you can do it in one jump it would be worth it to have fewer vulnerabilities.

Bios updates are scary but so long as your mains power is stable there should be no problems.

 

[NobleAlexander]

What BIOS version are you currently on for your motherboard? You might want to reconsider dropping a 3000 or 5000 series Ryzen processor onto that motherboard, due to the lack of a proper VRM design, not to mention the lack of proper cooling for said VRM area.

If the BIOS update fails, you're going to need a CH341A BIOS programming toolkit to reflash the BIOS.

Moved thread from CPUs section to Motherboards section.

Also not sure what VRM refers to? How bad of an idea would it be to drop it in there?

 

[stuff and nonesense]

Also not sure what VRM refers to? How bad of an idea would it be to drop it in there?

Looking at the ASRock website your motherboard cpu power supply (vrm) is 65W.

The 3700x had a tdp of 65W.. how much heat a cooler needs to be able to dissipate. It also has a ppt of 80W. This is the power the cpu package can try to draw from the vrm.

It’s likely it will try to draw more power than the motherboard can supply. If that happens you could damage the motherboard and/or the processor too.

Edit.

These are inexpensive new, around £100. Should be able to find cheaper. They support 16 core CPUs so will easily support the 3700x.

MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI​

There are many similar boards available. Have a look at the compatibility lists on makers websites, generally under ‘support’.

​

 

[geofelt]

Good comments from stuff ^^
3700X is supported, and since both are 65w tdp processors, I would not worry about VRM issues unless you intend to overclock.

The bios flash process takes some time, perhaps 5-10 minutes.
Do not get impatient and interrupt the process..

 

[NobleAlexander]

In the bios there should be an update utility. Leave the 2200G in place and upgrade the bios using the built in tool. I never update through windows. Read the manual for instructions as to what is required regarding the thumb drive.

Enter the bios and follow its instructions for the upgrade.

When you have a version installed that the 3700x can work with swap the processors. You could stop there but it is worth upgrading to mitigate any vulnerabilities. Look at the bios versions newer than 5.5 on the download page, check the notes. See if there is a limit to how far you can jump forward to the current bios version. If you can do it in one jump it would be worth it to have fewer vulnerabilities.

Bios updates are scary but so long as your mains power is stable there should be no problems.

Apologies for the late reply, but I have a clarifying question. You said to update to a version that the CPU can work on, so does that mean I can do the two bios updates I need (one to get to 5.50 and the other to get to 5.90) with the old CPU in? If that's the case should I have both versions on the flashdrive (also the flashdrive I have should work it is FAT32, a relatively small size (IIRC 8GB) and is USB 2.0).

Also I have zero plans to overclock at all. Would I still need to worry about it trying to draw more power than the motherboard can handle?

 

[stuff and nonesense]

Apologies for the late reply, but I have a clarifying question. You said to update to a version that the CPU can work on, so does that mean I can do the two bios updates I need (one to get to 5.50 and the other to get to 5.90) with the old CPU in? If that's the case should I have both versions on the flashdrive (also the flashdrive I have should work it is FAT32, a relatively small size (IIRC 8GB) and is USB 2.0).

Also I have zero plans to overclock at all. Would I still need to worry about it trying to draw more power than the motherboard can handle?

My own preference, other people may disagree, would be to flash twice. Once to get the 3700 installed and once with the 3700 in place to get the up to date/latest bios loaded.

Only one bios at a time on the thumb drive to avoid confusion. Keep things simple.

Again, personal preference, I’d prefer to have some headroom available for the processor power supply (vrm). It will probably keep working but the power required by the processor close to the limit of what the motherboard is specified to provide. I had a vrm burn out on a motherboard, mid game, there was a funny smell as the magic smoke left my pc case so I tend to over specify parts.

It is on the supported processor list as are a few higher powered processors. The thing that raises red flags for me is the quoted 65W vrm supply. Over time I would trust it less.