Question Updating the BIOS with a broken CPU ?

[jramgarhia]

My Ryzen 7 3700X CPU is broken. PC doesn't boot into Windows but is stable in the BIOS.
I left the PC in the BIOS for about 40 minutes and it didn't crash, but it crashes before booting into Windows.

I am planning to buy a Ryzen 5800X CPU but for it to work I need to update the BIOS.
The motherboard is an MSI X470 Gaming Plus.

My question is, can i update the BIOS witha broken CPU installed ?
I borrowed a Ryzen 5 3600 from someone while troubleshooting my PC and it booted fine, so i know it's my CPU that doesn't work, But I can't borrow that CPU now to update the BIOS, hence my question.

 

[Eximo]

You can take it to a PC repair shop.

I don't believe AMD is still shipping boot kits for 5000 series, though you could inquire.

 

[jramgarhia]

You can take it to a PC repair shop.

I don't believe AMD is still shipping boot kits for 5000 series, though you could inquire.

Okay. Thank you.

 

[CountMike]

"BOOT kits" were old cheapest Athlon CPUs (FM2 converted to AM4 socket) but since then BIOS support for the was discontinued, For some MBs even fro first series (1xxx) Ryzen but any 3000 series Ryzen should work.

 

[boju]

Well if current cpu works in bios, updating bios would probably work. But i guess corruption could come about during the update bricking your board if cpu is unstable. Could try boot memtest from usb and see if it crashes while it tests your cpu and ram, if it doesn't crash you'll most likely be fine. Or just borrow 3600 again.

 

[boju]

Btw, did you put 3700x back after testing 3600? Or just left it out convinced it is the problem? Swapping cpus would reset bios sooo maybe 3700x would also work now.

 

[jramgarhia]

Well if current cpu works in bios, updating bios would probably work. But i guess corruption could come about during the update bricking your board if cpu is unstable. Could try boot memtest from usb and see if it crashes while it tests your cpu and ram, if it doesn't crash you'll most likely be fine. Or just borrow 3600 again.

I did run memtest86 when i was troubleshooting and the process completed without any crash or error.

 

[jramgarhia]

Btw, did you put 3700x back after testing 3600? Or just left it out convinced it is the problem? Swapping cpus would reset bios sooo maybe 3700x would also work now.

Yes i did put 3700x back and it crashed again.

 

[boju]

I did run memtest86 when i was troubleshooting and the process completed without any crash or error.

Then I'd say it'd be fine doing BIOS update.

 

[jramgarhia]

So I disable two cores in bios and it booted into Windows. I didn't even know i could do that. So this means i can update bios without worrying right?

 

[boju]

So I disable two cores in bios and it booted into Windows. I didn't even know i could do that. So this means i can update bios without worrying right?

If that gives you confidence then sure.

 

[jramgarhia]

I was able to update bios successfully. Thank you very much guys.

 

[JayGau]

If it boots with 6 cores enabled but not with 8 then it's not 100% sure it's a CPU problem. The 3600x has 6 cores, the 3700x has 8, but you can boot if you disable two, so you can boot with 6 cores with either processor. So, the problem could be either with the CPU or the motherboard.

 

[jramgarhia]

If it boots with 6 cores enabled but not with 8 then it's not 100% sure it's a CPU problem. The 3600x has 6 cores, the 3700x has 8, but you can boot if you disable two, so you can boot with 6 cores with either processor. So, the problem could be either with the CPU or the motherboard.

Is there a way to know for certain without replacing anything? Or do I absolutely have to try the cpu in another board?