Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

[teknology19]

Hi,

Those who own a Z77X - UD5H, I wondered if you could tell me which CPU you have used to update the BIOS as the F4 BIOS is not listed on the CPU support list?

Thanks in advance


teknology19

[profJim]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Do you have a saved screen-shot that shows that your motherboard is using the F4 Gigabyte bios?
Don't confuse the bios version with the Award or AMI bios version.

[teknology19]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Hi,

Before I do the initial build I just wanted to fit the right CPU in order to update the BIOS successfully. I am hoping to install a i5 3550 as I don't plan to overclock and the initial BIOS that supports this CPU is F6, so no I haven't got a screenshot as of yet. The motherboard I am using at the moment, GA-790FXTA-UD5, stated the first release BIOS and the relevant CPU for flashing the BIOS, so I just want to make sure before I install the i5 3550 that I install the right CPU before I flash the BIOS to F8.


Thanks for your time and patience.

teknology19

[profJim]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

You're welcome.
It's confusing because Gigabyte doesn't say if F5 is the initial bios.
Looking at the bios dates and you'll see that the newer versions are dated about one month newer than each previous versions.
If your new motherboard comes with F6, your i5-3550 will be OK for flashing to F8.
I don't know if the product label on the outside of the motherboard's box states the pre-installed bios version, it might.
If you need to flash using an F5 compatible cpu, use the least expensive Sandy Bridge chip if you need to buy one; Celeron Gxxx or or Pentium Gxxx listed in the cpu support list. You could then sell the Gxxxx cpu to recoup part of the cost.
Good luck with your new build.

[teknology19]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Hi ProfJim,

Yes I have an Intel Pentium G620 for this situation, there is no label on the box other than the serial number, check number and the EAN barcode so there is no real indication of the BIOS version.

teknology19

[profJim]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Your best bet is to install either cpu along with a minimal hardware setup with the motherboard placed on a cardboard box beside your computer case.
Don't put the anti-static bag under the motherboard because the bag's exterior is electrically conductive.
Attach a usb flash drive that is formatted using FAT32, where you place the extracted bios file on the flash drive.
Use QFlash to update the bios to F8.
Read and understand the flashing procedures in http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte...ash-guide.html, and be sure to disable Keep DMI data..

Let us know how everything turns out.

[teknology19]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Yes, thanks for that information. Will I need to make the USB drive bootable for Qflash I have 1 drive formatted for in FAT32?

[profJim]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

No, the usb drive does not need to be bootable when using QFlash.
QFlash won't see the xxxxxxxx.F8 bios file in an NTFS partition, it must be formatted in Fat32, Fat16 or Fat12.
It's easiest to use Fat32.

[teknology19]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

QFlash won't see the xxxxxxxx.F8 bios file

@ ProfJim, I don't understand the x's can you possibly explain? The USB drive is already formatted to FAT32.

[odiebugs]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Hi,

Those who own a Z77X - UD5H, I wondered if you could tell me which CPU you have used to update the BIOS as the F4 BIOS is not listed on the CPU support list?

Thanks in advance


teknology19

When you want to know what BIOS supports what CPU, you look at the MOBO MFG support list, not at the CPU.

This is the list of CPU's from gigabyte and what BIOS they need.

When you want to flash one you read your MOBO MANUAL.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Socket 1155 - Intel Z77 - GA-Z77X-UD5H (rev. 1.0)


The only reason to flash the BIOS to F8 would be if you have a Xeon CPU.

[teknology19]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Thanks for that odiebugs, yes I can see that F6 BIOS supports that particular CPU.

[profJim]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

The only reason to flash the BIOS to F8 would be if you have a Xeon CPU.

Not necessarily.
The F8 version is only required for the Xeon v2 processors.
from GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1155 - GA-Z77X-UD5H (rev. 1.0)
F7 = Improve system compatibility
F8 = Improve keyboard compatibility

The bios descriptions are woefully inadequate and include other undocumented fixes or enhancements.
Newer versions are usually (but not always) better.

[odiebugs]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Not necessarily.
The F8 version is only required for the Xeon v2 processors.
from GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1155 - GA-Z77X-UD5H (rev. 1.0)
F7 = Improve system compatibility
F8 = Improve keyboard compatibility



The bios descriptions are woefully inadequate and include other undocumented fixes or enhancements.
Newer versions are usually (but not always) better.

I was only answering his question regarding CPU, but good thing you posted this in case someone took it the same way as you, and didn't check the BIOS description. Thanks.

In rare cases a BIOS update without reasons stated on description can be worse, as you say, but I even find myself always looking for every update on every single piece of hardware and soft.

I think I check Nvidia every three weeks for graph drivers, and now even more with the GTX 670, as they make improvements constantly.

[teknology19]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

I guess it's a case of only update BIOS only if necessary. Interms of the backup BIOS is it better to press Alt + F12 or change the BIOS switch and repeat the BIOS flashing process?

Also, as the motherboard has no PS/2 port would a USB to PS/2 adapter be useful to make this less problematic initially?

[profJim]

Re: Which CPU supports the F4 BIOS?

Earlier P67 and Z68 boards apparently had issues when the main and backup bios versions didn't match.
This doesn't appear to be a problem with z77 boards.
I would hold off on updating the backup bios version until you know that everything is okie-dokie with F8.
If your board has F5 installed as the default bios, I would install F6 initially in to the backup bios to support your cpu.

Using a usb to ps/2 adapter should help if their are initial usb 2.0 issues.
I'm not familiar with the ALT + F12 option for your motherboard.