Do I need a BIOS update?

[Edge]

Getting really mixed information about whether I need to flash my BIOS for a new processor.

I'm currently using an i3-2100 on the GA-H61M-USB3-B3 motherboard.

On the site, it says I can use my new i5 3570 since BIOS F11. But it also says F11 for my i3-2100, whereas I'm currently using F4. I checked around a bit, and a few sites say I need version FF. I'm so confused!

I have the F11 exe ready, so firstly, do I need it, and secondly, do I just run the exe or are there any precautions or other things I have to do to flash my BIOS?

 

[s3ns3]

run the exe to extract it

E: then put the files on a flash drive and go in the bios look for Q-flash and select your usb flash drive and thats it

 

[Zoot]

I think you're getting confused by the revision of the board. The BIOS versions for the different revisions of Gigabyte boards are called different things. Which revision of the board have you? 1.0, 1.1 or 1.3?

You'll know by looking at the top-left hand corner of the board like so:

1.0 and 1.1 require the F11 BIOS for the 3570k, 2.0 is the version that requires the FF BIOS version. Since you're already using F11, sounds like you're good to go.

This is straight from Gigabyte's website:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3794#ov

To mitigate any issues, hold on to the old CPU, you can always swap them back and try a different BIOS if there's a problem.

If you want to flash it, I'd recommend you use the Flash utility that lets you flash from a FAT32 formatted USB stick. I've never been a fan of flashing within Windows, since it adds to the things that can go wrong. I've been doing this for years with the Gigabyte boards I've owned.

The .exe you get from Gigabytes website is just a self extracting file. Extract it, and stick the BIOS file on a memory stick and boot up the board with the stick inserted, I think the key to hit is F8 upon boot (this is with my 990FX and 790FX boards), it may be different with the Intel boards. The Flash utility is then pretty simple to use.

If you've still got the motherboard manual, it'll be in that.

 

[Edge]

Thanks for clearing all that up, figured I was missing something.

I'm using Revision 1.0, and apparently I'm on version F4?

Seems strange seen as the Gigabyte website says i3-2100 only works since F11.. but I'm guessing that's a problem with the site, not my PC showing the wrong version. I'll get it updated using the method you described. Thanks dude!

 

[Zoot]

Yeah it sounds like you need to flash it so.

Although, sometimes BIOS updates aren't set in stone in order to get a new CPU working. There are times you can get away with an older BIOS, but for stability reasons it's best to do what the likes of Gigabyte says.