Question Which is the best BIOS Version for the Z390 AORUS PRO WiFi ?

[specwolf82]

Hello, I've had this PC for a few years and never flashed/updated my BIOS since I never had any issues. Now, I do have issues, A lot of networking problems and some frame timing issues. What is the best possible BIOS version for the Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WiFi ? I've also never flashed a BIOS before, I am very computer literate otherwise.

 

[35below0]

Your problems are probably unrelated the version of BIOS. But it's still a good idea when troubleshooting, to have the latest version installed.

The easiest way to do it is to install Gigabyte Control Center and look at the Update Center.

First install all the other updates except Norton security. GCC regularly finds updates for audio. networking, GPUS, motherboard, etc. This might fix your network issues without flashing BIOS.


BIOS updates are in a separate tab, or can identify them by name. It will say something like Z390 AORUS PRO, MB, Firmware, current version, latest version (F7 or F11, or F something).
If there is a new version for your motherboard BIOS, select the update but uncheck all the other updates. Install this alone.

You will be warned your computer needs to restart to update firmware/flash BIOS. When it restarts, don't press any keys, or switch it off or reset it. Just let it do it's thing.
It will boot straight to BIOS, install the update, and then restart again normally. It takes about a minute or two.


You can also flash BIOS manually using a USB stick formatted to FAT32 file system. Download the BIOS for your motherboard from Gigabyte, copy it onto the USB, rename it as instructed, and then follow the flash BIOS instructions in the motherboard manual.

I would advise letting GCC do it. It's much more convenient and less can go wrong.

 

[specwolf82]

Thank you! I just want to be sure, is GCC something that came with my MOBO or do I need to download it, I will def try just doing the updates first before flashing.Also, as im looking at it, I have a 9700k on the Z390 CHIPSET, Im not sure it will work?

 

[Endre]

Hello, I've had this PC for a few years and never flashed/updated my BIOS since I never had any issues. Now, I do have issues, A lot of networking problems and some frame timing issues. What is the best possible BIOS version for the Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO WiFi ? I've also never flashed a BIOS before, I am very computer literate otherwise.

Hello!

It's the optimal thing to upgrade to the latest non-beta BIOS, which in your case is: F13.

The recommended way to update the firmware is:
1. Downloading the BIOS file in your PC.
2. Extract the file from the archive.
3. Format a USB flash drive as FAT32.
4. Copy the BIOS file on the USB flash drive.
5. Insert the flash drive in a USB 2.0 port.
6. Restart the PC.
7. Press down the End key to enter into firmware update menu.
8. Follow the steps on the screen.

WARNING:
If for any reason the BIOS updating process is being interrupted before being finished, your motherboard could get bricked!
(However, I do believe that your motherboard has a backup BIOS too).

I hope that this helps...

 

[35below0]

Thank you! I just want to be sure, is GCC something that came with my MOBO or do I need to download it, I will def try just doing the updates first before flashing.Also, as im looking at it, I have a 9700k on the Z390 CHIPSET, Im not sure it will work?

They don't bundle it with motherboards. It's an optional download you can get here: https://www.gigabyte.com/Consumer/Software/GIGABYTE-Control-Center/global/

Install it, go to the updates tab, and update all your drivers but not the BIOS. After all drivers have been installed (you may have to restart the PC), go back to GCC and select only the BIOS firmware update, and proceed to install it.

The process will restart your PC once or twice. It's important you do not shut down the PC yourself while the update is in progress. It takes a minute or two, but sometimes it can take longer. If your PC does not restart itself after more than 30 minutes, there is a problem with the update.
Depending on the motherboard, GCC will use whatever backup features there are. Usually, if a BIOS update fails it will revert to the previous one.

You can do the flashing yourself, like @Endre wrote above. Gigabyte Control Center is simpler and you will know you didn't make any mistakes.

Even though flashing BIOS with motherboard's own software is easy, it is still risky. Mistakes can happen, power can be cut, etc. Unless you have problems you should not update BIOS.
Yes, it's good to have up to date BIOS, but because there are risks it is wise to only update it when it's neccessary.

 

[specwolf82]

They don't bundle it with motherboards. It's an optional download you can get here: https://www.gigabyte.com/Consumer/Software/GIGABYTE-Control-Center/global/

Install it, go to the updates tab, and update all your drivers but not the BIOS. After all drivers have been installed (you may have to restart the PC), go back to GCC and select only the BIOS firmware update, and proceed to install it.

The process will restart your PC once or twice. It's important you do not shut down the PC yourself while the update is in progress. It takes a minute or two, but sometimes it can take longer. If your PC does not restart itself after more than 30 minutes, there is a problem with the update.
Depending on the motherboard, GCC will use whatever backup features there are. Usually, if a BIOS update fails it will revert to the previous one.

You can do the flashing yourself, like @Endre wrote above. Gigabyte Control Center is simpler and you will know you didn't make any mistakes.

Even though flashing BIOS with motherboard's own software is easy, it is still risky. Mistakes can happen, power can be cut, etc. Unless you have problems you should not update BIOS.
Yes, it's good to have up to date BIOS, but because there are risks it is wise to only update it when it's neccessary.

Ok thank you, but will it work with the Z390? I'm not seeing it as an option, ill still try it

 

[35below0]

Ok, i get what you're saying now.

It's confusing because Gigabyte was listing the z390 chipset among those compatible with GCC. It was only when i clicked to download it that it showed the list of compatible products without the z390 on it.


Before GCC, Gigabyte used several different utilities to handle drivers and updates. It can also be done manualy.

Use Q-Flash:
-You will need a USB stick. You 'll have to format it to FAT32; this will delete all files on the stick. You can format drives in Windows. Just make sure you are formatting the USB drive and not another one!
-Reset your PC and enter BIOS, or reset to BIOS straight from Windows - https://www.howtogeek.com/783790/how-to-enter-the-bios-on-windows-10/
-Select Q-Flash , insert your USB drive and follow the instructions.

The process is explained here: https://global.aorus.com/blog/How-to-Update-Your-BIOS-Part-2.php


Use App Center:
-Download the Gigabyte App Center. It is the older, and more clunky Gigabyte update tool
Instructions are here: https://global.aorus.com/blog/How-to-Update-Your-BIOS-Part-1.php

App Center can also try to find drivers, so you don't have to install them manually.


Use Firmware Update Utility:
Here is the page with utilities for your motherboard: https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/Z390-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-10/support#support-dl-utility
You can find the GIGABYTE Firmware Update Utility there. Use this to update the BIOS on your motherboard.


BIOS Backup
Your motherboard has a Dual BIOS. If the main BIOS ends up corrupted or is incorrectly updated, the backup BIOS will be used.
You should never try to update both the main and backup BIOS because you don't want both of them screwed up.


Install drivers manually:
-Drivers are not part of a BIOS update. Update drivers after you have successfully updated BIOS.
On the Drivers page are all the drivers: https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/Z390-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-10/support#support-dl-driver
Here you have the audio, chipset, LAN, etc. drivers. Download and install the latest drivers to see if it fixes your problems.

 

[specwolf82]

Ok, i get what you're saying now.

It's confusing because Gigabyte was listing the z390 chipset among those compatible with GCC. It was only when i clicked to download it that it showed the list of compatible products without the z390 on it.


Before GCC, Gigabyte used several different utilities to handle drivers and updates. It can also be done manualy.

Use Q-Flash:
-You will need a USB stick. You 'll have to format it to FAT32; this will delete all files on the stick. You can format drives in Windows. Just make sure you are formatting the USB drive and not another one!
-Reset your PC and enter BIOS, or reset to BIOS straight from Windows - https://www.howtogeek.com/783790/how-to-enter-the-bios-on-windows-10/
-Select Q-Flash , insert your USB drive and follow the instructions.

The process is explained here: https://global.aorus.com/blog/How-to-Update-Your-BIOS-Part-2.php


Use App Center:
-Download the Gigabyte App Center. It is the older, and more clunky Gigabyte update tool
Instructions are here: https://global.aorus.com/blog/How-to-Update-Your-BIOS-Part-1.php

App Center can also try to find drivers, so you don't have to install them manually.


Use Firmware Update Utility:
Here is the page with utilities for your motherboard: https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/Z390-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-10/support#support-dl-utility
You can find the GIGABYTE Firmware Update Utility there. Use this to update the BIOS on your motherboard.


BIOS Backup
Your motherboard has a Dual BIOS. If the main BIOS ends up corrupted or is incorrectly updated, the backup BIOS will be used.
You should never try to update both the main and backup BIOS because you don't want both of them screwed up.


Install drivers manually:
-Drivers are not part of a BIOS update. Update drivers after you have successfully updated BIOS.
On the Drivers page are all the drivers: https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/Z390-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-10/support#support-dl-driver
Here you have the audio, chipset, LAN, etc. drivers. Download and install the latest drivers to see if it fixes your problems.

Thank you! I will do this tomorrow and let you know the results