Question What Happens if My Motherboard Needs an Update for the CPU?

[Oasis Curator]

I think I have bought a motherboard that needs a BIOS update to support the CPU.
I'd like to think the motherboard will come with the latest but I have the update file on a stick ready to go if not.

What happens when I build and turn the PC on?
Will it just not work or will the CPU give the BIOS enough power to be able to update it?

 

[sizzling]

If the BIOS doesn’t support the cpu then it won’t run and will throw an error during POST. You may need a compatible cpu to update the BIOS first or you may be able to do the update without a compatible cpu depending on what exact motherboard you have.

 

[Lafong]

You'd have to dig into the specs of your motherboard to find out if it can be updated without a CPU.

Consult your manual or online specs.

 

[Oasis Curator]

It's an MSI Z690-A Pro with a 12th Gen i5.
Although the specs say it supports the processor, Parts Picker said the motherboard may require an update.

There is a list of compatible processors and my i5 12600k is on it but it also has an updated BIOS package.
However, I have also seen there is a Flash BIOS button - not sure how to use this as I've always flashed through BIOS itself.

 

[Lafong]

I would think a z690 would support 12th gen by default.

Can you quote that message in its entirety?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNi0Y0CFDEI


Above is a link to a youtube of a guy updating MSI without CPU, but not your exact model. Maybe it will give you a clue.

 

[Mr. Smith]

As far as I know, The MSI Z690-A Pro doesn't need to update the bios for the Intel 12th Gen Core i5 processor. I think you should contact the vendor.

 

[Oasis Curator]

Can you quote that message in its entirety?

Warning: The MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard supports the Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor with BIOS version 7D25v11. If the motherboard is using an older BIOS version, upgrading the BIOS will be necessary to support the CPU.

But then it also says:
Note: The Noctua NH-U12S 55 CFM CPU Cooler may require a separately available mounting adapter to fit the MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard.
which isn't quite true as the one I got from Amazon says it will fit the motherboard fine - maybe they now include some sort of adaptor?

 

[Lafong]

Warning: The MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard supports the Intel Core i5-12600K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor with BIOS version 7D25v11. If the motherboard is using an older BIOS version, upgrading the BIOS will be necessary to support the CPU.

But then it also says:
Note: The Noctua NH-U12S 55 CFM CPU Cooler may require a separately available mounting adapter to fit the MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard.
which isn't quite true as the one I got from Amazon says it will fit the motherboard fine - maybe they now include some sort of adaptor?

Never heard of that possible BIOS issue on a Z690 board...I'll assume for the moment that it is true.

Yeah...if you bought the U12S in recent months, I'd expect the socket 1700 socket was included.

https://noctua.at/en/nm-i17xx-mp78-mounting-kit

If someone bought it earlier, Noctua will send them the adapter at no charge within a week or so. Or you can pay the 10 bucks or whatever it is and buy the adapter from Amazon/Newegg.

 

[geofelt]

I have that motherboard(with wifi) and it does support a bios update without a cpu installed.
I did try the procedure and it worked fine.
There are some videos around showing the process.

More than likely, with a 12600K installed, it will boot to bios just fine. I normally will not update a bios unless the update fixes a problem that is impacting me.
But, since this was a new build I was not worried about any sort of a failure.

The key thing with a bios update is to follow the instructions exactly and be patient.
It may seem like nothing is going on for 10 minutes, but do not interrupt the procedure. Without a cpu, there is virtually no indication that it is working.

A bios update on a new motherboard is to be expected. Mostly for minor things such as ram support or sleep issues.

As to the second warning, all that is saying is that the noctua U12s originally did not include lga1700 mounting. If that is your case, noctua will send you one free, or you can buy one for about $10.

 

[Oasis Curator]

Yes - thank you both.
Built yesterday, the fan came with all bits it needed.

Gonna install Windows and such today but I don't mind updating the BIOS after Windows.
I've done a couple before and they were pretty straight forward / quick.

Although graphical bios is still novel to me.
The one I had previous to this PC was all text based.

 

[geofelt]

When you update a bios, avoid the windows based approach.
Should there be a windows issue during the process and the update gets aborted, recovery may be more difficult.
USB based will be more secure.