What would happen if I put a CPU into a motherboard with incompatible BIOS?

[gear999]

A simple question. The title says it all. Will my PC not start? Will I render it completely unusable and not be able to issue a RMA? Now, I'm not talking about putting an AMD CPU into an Intel mobo. I basically ordered an i5 4460 and a MSI B85 G41 and I'm really afraid that the BIOS is going to be incompatible, and I don't want to spend the money I could've spent on a SSD at a computer shop just for them to flash the BIOS. I know I asked a similar question yesterday but I'm really worried now.

 

[kajjot]

It will work fine to get you started.
Bios will just show it as unknown CPU and probably will run it underclocked.
But this is enough for you to boot up and update to latest bios after which it should work properly.
This will not cause any damage.

 

[chromenut]

you can probably flash it yourself, most motherboards allow it nowadays (with usb etc)

 

[gear999]

It will work fine to get you started.
Bios will just show it as unknown CPU and probably will run it underclocked.
But this is enough for you to boot up and update to latest bios after which it should work properly.
This will not cause any damage.

you can probably flash it yourself, most motherboards allow it nowadays (with usb etc)

Would I be able to do that from the BIOS and not from Windows? I mean, would I be able to boot up at least to the BIOS with the USB plugged in, then flash it from there? As far as I know, if something goes wrong with the flashing, my mobo would just be unusable garbage.

 

[4745454b]

Depends. Some combos won't work period. Other will run it as mentioned above, with the CPU multiplier down as low as it goes. This is to prevent damage to the unknown CPU. Only way to know is to try it and see. If it fails, most shops should do it for you for a small fee.

if something goes wrong with the flashing, my mobo would just be unusable garbage

Correct. So make SURE you have the right BIOS, and NOTHING happens to your power while doing this. If the computer shuts down during the update process, paperweight. Many boards these days have dual bios's for this reason. Check your manual as yours might.

 

[gear999]

I checked Intel's and MSI's website, but what I found weird is, that on Intel's site, it told me that I could use the 4460 with the B85 G41 with the 2.0 BIOS, which is the oldest BIOS available for that board. But, on MSI's site, I apparently need the 2.5 update to get it to work. I cannot check the manual since I have not received the board from Newegg yet.