Is BIOS Update Necessary? 8 Reasons To Do It

While we usually and recurrently proceed with software program updates, that’s not the identical in relation to a tool’s firmware. Since tinkering with motherboards might be dangerous, most newcomers hesitate to update their BIOS.

You ought to flash your BIOS solely when it’s completely essential. Do it if you could resolve safety vulnerabilities, repair {hardware}/firmware bugs, add compatibility to new parts, or if there’s a main system enhancement update obtainable.

It’s additionally advisable earlier than overclocking your processor or reminiscence. While BIOS updates don’t typically include new options, it’s nonetheless one thing to keep watch over.

Some producers don’t suggest it except you encounter any boot or POST-related points. Well, when you’re going to observe the suitable method, there shouldn’t be any hurt in any respect. But is that this problem of updating BIOS value it? Here’s an in depth information on why and when you need to go for it.

Add Security Patches

The initially cause to update your BIOS is to mitigate the potential safety vulnerabilities. If your producer brings up a related model, they’re probably going to label it as ‘recommended’ in its obtain description.

Intel customers are even suggested to update the Management Engine, which is an impartial processor core inside the Multichip Package (MCP). You’ll discover the related instrument inside the help web page itself (slightly below the BIOS drivers part).

Such firmware updates repair safety points (recognized by the processor) that would put your platform at utmost danger. In truth, to flash some explicit BIOS variations, it’s essential to update to the said ME model first.

No worries, although. When flashing the newest BIOS, the related Intel ME will get up to date concurrently. But it’s important to maintain tabs on the actual update’s description to be tremendous positive concerning this.

Even although AMD customers should not have to look out for such administration engine firmware updates, that doesn’t imply there’s no safety characteristic in any respect. You might discover ‘Enhanced security’, ‘Mitigate AMD potential security vulnerabilities’, or comparable indications.

Also, each BIOS update on AMD platforms comes with a new AGESA model. They embrace safety advantages together with different efficiency boosters, which we will talk about under step-by-step.

As depicted within the above screenshot, my MSI MAG B550M MORTAR has provided a TPM Out of Bounds Access safety patch in its 7C94v1F model together with the AGESA update.

Keeping all this stuff in thoughts, you need to keep your BIOS up-to-date when you search to handle any safety flaws or just want to add new options.

Fix Compatibility Issues and Related Bugs

Certain {hardware} and firmware-related bugs would possibly result in surprising glitches. Even after making an attempt out a number of options, nothing would possibly assist.

I’ve been there as properly–after enabling fTPM on the ASUS PRIME B450 motherboard (operating 3604 model), I skilled random stuttering when watching movies and enjoying video games. To my shock, the producer had already launched this bug repair on its 3802 model.

Similarly, your mannequin might even have provided a related repair that is likely to be hindering your system efficiency. So, I like to recommend conserving tabs in your mannequin’s help web page and the group boards.

These BIOS updates might even be associated to particular functions. Taking the identical PRIME mannequin for instance, it provided further help for Destiny 2 in its 1816 model that helped most customers repair sure compatibility points.

Likewise, you would possibly discover {hardware} help like improved compatibility for USB, reminiscence, graphics playing cards, and many others. Also, it would embrace software program/firmware-related fixes, which frequently contain enchancment of their OEM software program or flashing utility.

Having stated that, when you discover any bugs or expertise some kind of defective conduct, it’s a good suggestion to look at completely different BIOS variations as they will typically be of assist.

Provide Compatibility to New Hardware Components

Older BIOS variations are unlikely to help newly put in {hardware} parts (particularly in the event that they have been just lately launched). It might result in boot failures and even NO POST points.

As you may need guessed, updating BIOS can add help and guarantee compatibility with all of your different parts. Look for ‘New CPU support’, ‘Improve CPU compatibility’, ‘System compatibility for CPUs with the certain suffix’, ‘Support CPU with certain series’, or comparable indications.

Conversely, some producers received’t suggest BIOS updates when you’re using particular processors. As in my case, ASRock’s Fatal1ty X470 Gaming K4 had no help for my Pinnacle Ridge AMD CPU.

These days, BIOS updates may even embrace help for next-generation processors (normally by microcode updates). This has made it potential to make use of newer CPUs to work with older motherboard chipsets.

Moreover, some might get rid of sure options that would battle with the correct functioning of newly put in {hardware}. For instance, the removing of Gen4 help when using Ryzen 3000 CPUs.

Aside from processors, BIOS updates may even be useful when putting in new GPU, RAM, and different parts. As talked about earlier, examine the outline earlier than continuing to flash a brand new model.

So, earlier than the set up of latest {hardware} parts, I recommend upgrading your BIOS for compatibility causes.

Enhance System Performance and Stability

‘BIOS update doesn’t unlock any additional efficiency’ is what I’ve come throughout in quite a lot of boards. While the sentence is considerably true, I don’t utterly agree!

You shouldn’t count on a serious efficiency enhance simply by a BIOS update as there are a number of issues that come into play. However, producers may need uploaded a model that’s truly meant to enhance your system stability.

If you discover microcode updates or different vulnerability fixes, that’s positively going to enhance system efficiency to some extent. In truth, that is one thing to keep watch over, even for customers who observe the ‘If it isn’t broke, don’t repair it’ method.

In some fashions, you’ll clearly discover descriptions like – ‘Improve system performance and stability’, ‘Enhance CPU/GPU performance’, ‘Improve system’s compatibility’ and many others. But if you don’t want to update BIOS only for a minor enhance, it’s utterly positive to skip them.

However, if there’s a main update that the producer recommends, it shouldn’t be ignored. For instance, my Gigabyte TRX40 AORUS MASTER motherboard launched a sequence of vulnerability updates in its F6 model, and all customers have been strongly suggested to flash it.

My suggestion is to go for a BIOS update when you’re experiencing degradation within the system efficiency or when your producer recommends doing it on the earliest.

Add or Update Features

Generally, BIOS updates don’t include added options. But there’s an exception to this as properly.

Even in the newest updates I carried out on a number of motherboards (every from a unique model), I didn’t discover any characteristic additions within the latest BIOS model. They solely included the newest Intel ME and AMD AM4 AGESA Combo variations with minor stability enhancements.

When I appeared back, there have been sure options added within the earlier updates. These concerned Intel Adaptive Boost Technology, Smart Access Memory Support, ReSizable BAR compatibility (for discrete GPUs), unlocked CPU PCIe Lanes, handbook voltage changes, and more.

While the addition of newer options is kind of uncommon, enchancment/enhancement of present ones is widespread. For instance, my Fatal1ty X470 Gaming K4 motherboard included an enhancement of S3 and S4 modes in its final secure model (4.90). Similar enhancements are normally current in main variations.

It’s positively not possible to incorporate all potential options right here. So, though I’m repeating this–look at your mannequin’s BIOS description. It ought to clearly point out whether or not the brand new model has one thing to supply.

The gist right here is you may flash a brand new BIOS model in case your producer introduces a brand new characteristic or contains an enhancement to the pre-existing ones.

Support for Overclocking and RAID

Whether you’re planning to push the processor or reminiscence’s clock speeds past the manufacturing unit specs, you need to at all times update the BIOS to the newest model first.

Your motherboard might have built-in new options or resolved sure bugs that in any other case led to system instabilities. That’s precisely what occurred once we tried going past the RAM’s maximum-supported capability on ASRock (by enabling XMP), which stored crashing the system.

Usually, there received’t be something listed within the description concerning overclocking help. But you need to positively look out for ‘Improve CPU stability’, ‘Improve DRAM stability’, ‘Update Memory Overclocking Rules’, or comparable indications.

Even although RAID setups don’t normally require a BIOS update, there are occasions you would possibly face compatibility and stability points.

That was the case after I was establishing a RAID array on my ASUS PRIME B660M-Ok D4 motherboard however was unable to create high-capacity storage. All I needed to do to resolve this was update the BIOS and reconfigure it.

That being stated, BIOS updates are essential while you’re going to overclock your system or seeking to arrange RAID for optimum stability.

For Default OS Support

While we all know that BIOS is part of pc {hardware} that initializes different parts, it additionally affords OS help not directly.

For instance, most producers have launched a brand new model that addresses the default configuration required for Windows 11. This includes altering the standing of TPM to 2.0 and Secure Boot to enabled.

Having stated that, customers now not have to enter their BIOS interface and alter these associated settings earlier than putting in Windows 11. While this isn’t a serious cause so that you can update the motherboard’s firmware, it could actually actually be performed by fundamental customers who’re hesitant to arrange their BIOS repeatedly. 

Besides Windows, some BIOS updates are additionally identified to repair explicit points with Linux distros.

Clearly, customers who aren’t properly conversant in pc {hardware} however search default OS help can get help from their tech-savvy buddies or professionals to update their BIOS.

Other Troubleshooting Purposes

While I’ve already lined the obvious causes, you would possibly require updating BIOS for troubleshooting functions as properly. Sometimes, you by no means know what might have gone unsuitable or what part is defective. And the one potential repair could be upgrading the firmware.

Recalling back the time when updating BIOS on ASUS ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING (operating 2605 model) with Ryzen 5 3500, my M.2 SSD wasn’t displaying up. After updating to the newest model, it fastened the problem. When I appeared back, the decision was certainly made, within the 3003 model.

Similarly, BIOS updates provide corrections to sure {hardware} parts and may resolve corrupted settings as properly. But at all times take into account this as your remaining step when troubleshooting.

Moving Forward – How to Update BIOS?

Now that you just’ve identified all the required causes, it’s possible you’ll proceed to update your BIOS. While the steps concerned are fairly easy, this may fluctuate relying in your motherboard model.

While it’s really useful to improve to the newest one instantly, some variations would possibly require earlier updates as properly (in an incremental style). Also, it’s suggested to not flash a ‘beta’ model as they haven’t gone by correct testing.

Since there are quite a lot of issues to contemplate, it’s completely essential to observe as depicted within the description.

One main concern is what occurs if a BIOS update fails. Well, legacy techniques don’t provide any recovery characteristic, and in such a case, there’s nothing a lot a standard consumer can do. 

Meaning your motherboard can get bricked except you boast superior soldering abilities to swap the BIOS chip. There’s additionally a strategy to reprogram it by specialised instruments (once more, when you have the suitable abilities to do it or require superior skilled help).

On the opposite hand, most modern-day UEFI-based BIOS combine fail-safe options, like Dual BIOS, USB Flashback button, Boot Block Recovery Technology, and more. So, such an auto-recovery characteristic kicks in robotically, or it’s a must to do it manually to carry your motherboard back to life.

While these are positively critical considerations, you’ll by no means find yourself in such situations when you update the firmware appropriately. Just be mindful the ability interruption (I like to recommend using a UPS), and obtain the proper BIOS model. Then, you need to be good to go!