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Is it wise to upgrade the BIOS on your computer even if there are really no problems running the computer. Could they boost performance or make no difference? I am just wondering what people do about BIOS upgrades. I am trying to decide whether to upgrade my BIOS on some of my computers, but I worry that it may just make more problems. Please provide some feedback! Thanks,
Shane
Generally it's a case of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. BIOS upgrades are easier these days but they still carry the risk that if they go wrong you can lose your motherboard. Most BIOS updates are provided to add functionality - not to improve performance.
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Agreed. The only reason you need to update a BIOS is for it to accept faster CPUs than were around when the original BIOS was released.
For example, if the fastest CPU around when the BIOS was written was an Athlon 2000+ and you wanted to upgrade to a 2500+, chances are you would need to flash the BIOS.
Some people are like Slinkies™, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...
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I don't flash unless it's to fix a specific problem. A flash that fixes the ABC123 raid controller you don't have is useless until you buy the ABC123.
Skip
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I only update the BIOS as I don't like having old versions, have updated my BIOS 4 times in 5 months, BIOS updates on motherboard like my one is the sig are very easy as everything is done in Windows and takes less then 1 min to do
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MSI KT8 NEO FIS2R
Athlon 64 3200+ @ 2.0ghz
1.0 GB DDR PC3200
2X 160 GB HDD
Hightech Excalibur Radeon 9800 Pro Iceq 128mb
( Core 425 MHz and Memory 380 MHz )
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I almost always update my BIOS, whether I have a specific need or not. CPU support isn't the only thing that may be included in the new BIOS...it may correct a glitch in the previous BIOS, add memory support, HDD support, correct temp monitoring, sometimes even adds additional settings in the CMOS setup program itself.
If you go to the board manufacturer's website, there should be a list of BIOS versions along with an explanation of what each version corrects or changes. If you have, for example, BIOS version 1.0 & the latest is BIOS 1.0a, it may not be necessary to update...but if your BIOS hasn't been updated since "day one", & the latest version is up to version 5.0, it's probably a good idea to update.
See what's available, see what it "fixes", then decide if it's worth it. And read the info on how to perform a flash...make sure you fully understand before trying it, or you may turn your board into a doorstop...lol
"If you can read this, thank a teacher"
"If you are reading it in English, thank a veteran."
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I have a Dell Dimension XPS t450, It still has the factory A04 BIOS, the newest is the A11. Would you update? Should I?
Shane
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As was stated before "if it ain't broke,don't fix it".
If you are having issues with hardware then yes I would,if you don't plan on upgrading your HDD,CPU or add RAID then no.
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Shane, go ahead and flash your BIOS, it is not like the old days. then one had to physically install a new IC. nowdays all one has to do is download a program and install it
also read what has be upgraded from your ver to the newest ver.just be carefull what u do and how u do it.
ie do not power off while it is flashing the bios.
read all flashing instructions. some are done in dos mode others in windows mode.
i flash my bios all the time, cd-rw, have 7 of those, dvd, mb, etc
no problems yet!!those that say, "if it ain't broke,don't fix it".
Guess they do not change the cars oil every 3k miles, guess they do not change their underware ...if it ain't broke, ie no racing stripes!guess to each his own. i am the type that likes to keep my devices up to date.\
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Thanks for all your posts. I see that everyone has their own opinion on things. I think that since everything is running fine I will leave the BIOS alone. Thanks
Shane
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