If you haven’t heard about the highly anticipated new range of Ryzen chips that are due for release this Sunday, then where have you been for the last six months? They are LITERALLY huge news and boast performance levels which are set to eclipse Intel’s CPUs for the first time since, well, since I can remember.
There are a whole bunch of new CPUs which are set to hit shelves on July 7th that range from the 3600 right up to the 3900x. Furthermore, AMD has released a next Gen range of APUs as well which have been recorded showing some excellent benchmarking. All in all, it’s looking very prosperous for AMD, and not so great for Intel.
CPU war aside though, if you’re looking to purchase one of the latest Ryzen chips then you probably have a couple of questions regarding compatibility as well. The most common question we’ve heard is whether or not your old motherboard will be compatible with the new chips? And the short answer is yes. Praise the lord.
This being said, consumers will have to do a BIOS update in order to accommodate the latest chips. Now, don’t be worried, even though the BIOS sounds like a scary place, it’s actually quite easy once you know what you’re doing, and in some cases, a BIOS update doesn’t necessarily require you to access the bios at all.
For those that aren’t convinced by my effort to destress the BIOS situation, this article is going to walk you through a simple step-by-step guide of how to find out whether your BIOS needs updating and how to update it.
Firstly, let’s take a look at some of the motherboards which are going to have relevant BIOS updates.
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List of Motherboards Requiring BIOS Update
AMD has made a statement, well several, saying that the new chips are built using the AM4 socket and will be compatible with 300/400 series motherboards. However, it wasn’t clear which 300/400 series boards would be compatible until recently.
MSI & ASUS are the first manufacturers to print a list of motherboards which will, or already do, have BIOS updates available for the new Ryzen 3rd gen chips. Below is an official, but NOT up-to-date, list of currently confirmed compatible MSI & ASUS chips.
As mentioned above, both MSI and ASUS have confirmed that this is not a finished article. If your motherboard is not on this list then don’t worry, they will be updating it as further motherboards become BIOS compatible.
Both manufacturers have made sure their flagship X470 boards are compatible, which is useful as a lot of people are opting to purchase the cheaper x470 instead of splashing out on a fancy x570. Just be aware, if you want to utilize new features such as PCIe 4.0, then you will have to take the plunge and splash out on an x570.
Bios Support Links
Obviously, it isn’t just MSI & ASUS making sure relevant BIOS updates are ready for when Ryzen 3000 customers come knocking. Almost all the manufacturers are getting geared up for the big launch day.
Here is a list of manufacturer websites and their compatible motherboards:
- ASRock AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) BIOS Support Link
- Gigabyte AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) BIOS Support Link
- ASUS AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) BIOS Support Link
- MSI AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) BIOS Support Link
- BIOSTAR AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) BIOS Support Link
All the data can be found via these links on what motherboards are compatible.
Updating BIOS From New Parts
This is where things become a little bit trickier. If you already have an AMD setup, updating the BIOS is going to be a piece of cake, we’ll show you how a little further down. However, if you’re an intel user who’s doing the switch, or have an old AMD build with a non-compatible board, you’re going to have to buy one of the motherboards listed above. This is where some problems start to arise.
So, if you don’t want to splash out on a new X570, and decide to opt for let’s say, an older x470, you need to update the BIOS before you can use the motherboard and CPU together. Unfortunately, to update the BIOS, you need a working CPU to do so (unless the board has a flash BIOS which only a few do). This is where the problem arises. How are you meant to update the BIOS when you only have the Ryzen 3000 CPU? Well, you have a couple of options.
The first, and easiest way, is to take your new board down to a local computer store and ask the guys in there if they can update the BIOS for you. They may do it for free, more likely will charge you $15 to do so — a small fee considering how cheap the CPUs actually are.
Secondly, you could buy yourself an extremely cheap CPU from Amazon, update the BIOS using it, then sell the CPU on as second hand.
Thirdly, you could buy a cheap CPU from eBay for the sole purpose of updating the BIOS, then re-sell once you’ve completed the update.
Lastly, you could buy a board that has a flash BIOS built in, meaning you don’t need a CPU at all, you can just load the update from a flash drive.
Updating BIOS For Ryzen 3000
So, you’ve established that your board needs a BIOS update, now how do I do it! This is the step by step guide of how to update the BIOS, let’s get straight into it.
Before you get started, make sure the motherboard you have has the BIOS FLASHBACK feature. This is the feature that will allow you to update the BIOS without needing a CPU.
Ok, so once you’ve established which motherboard you have, go to the manufacturer’s website, search for your motherboard and select the product page.
Once on the product page, select the support tab for your motherboard and search out the BIOS section.
Once in the BIOS section, search out the latest version of BIOS for your motherboard. You will be able to download the file onto your computer.
The file will be zipped. This means you will have to extract the files onto the flash. This is the start of the prep work for the BIOS update files. Once you’ve extracted the files, you will have to rename the BIOS UPDATE FILE.
The name will correspond with the motherboard manufacturer. For example, for an MSI motherboard, you will have to change the file name to MSI.ROM.
Once you’ve changed the file name, take your flash drive and plug it into the BIOS FLASHBACK USB slot. This is a specific slot on your motherboard. If you aren’t sure which slot it is then check the motherboard manual.
At this stage, it’s worth mentioning that you only need motherboard power, nothing else is required.
Plug the USB into the BIOS FLASHBACK USB slot and press the dedicated FLASHBACK BUTTON.
You will know the motherboard is being updated because after 3-5 seconds a red light will flash continuously.
When the motherboard has been updated, the light will go off. Restart your computer at this stage and the BIOS screen will open up on your monitor. You can now install Windows.
Conclusion
If you don’t want to invest in an X570 motherboard and are worried about manually updating the BIOS on a B450 or X470 motherboard then check out the following motherboards which include the BIOS flashback button usually found on the IO shield.
- Asus X470 ROG Crosshair VII Hero
- Asus X370 ROG Crosshair VI Extreme
- Asus X370 ROG Crosshair VI Hero
- MSI X470 Gaming M7 AC
- MSI X370 Gaming M7 ACK
- MSI X370 XPower Gaming Titanium
- MSI B450 A-Pro
- MSI B450 Gaming Plus
- MSI B450M Gaming Plus
- MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
- MSI B450 Tomahawk
- MSI B450M Bazooka Plus
- MSI B450M Mortar
We recommend any of the MSI B450 motherboards, we generally use these on our budget Ryzen 3rd generation builds.
There you have it, the simplest way of updating your motherboards BIOS to enable it to run Ryzen’s latest CPUs. Admittedly, it’s going to be a bit of a pain for those who can’t do this themselves, however, I know in time manufacturers are going to prepare pre-updated BIOS for older boards. It’s just a matter of time.
If you want to beat the curve though and enjoy the new CPUs now, this is the best way to do it!
Any questions feel free to ask in the comments section below.
HI I HAVE ASUS TUF B450-PRO MOTHERBOARD DOES IT MEAN MY MOTHERBOARD ALREADY HAVE THE UPDATED BIOS FOR RYZEN 3000 SERIES PROCESSORS? THANKS FOR ANSWERING.
Hello.
I want to ask something.
I have order CPU from Intel I9700FK 3,6 Ghz. And If a good know I must have to this CPU the newest Bios Update.
Can you help me which Mother boards have the newest Bios update?
I wan to buy asus Tuf Z390(Wifi) But this had the oldest Bios.
Please can you help me?
Kind Regards
Thomas Zajdo
I dont quite understand the question, Thomas. The Z390 is a great motherboard and should work fine with the i9700k. You can always update the BIOS once your PC is built
You can update most 300/400 series motherboards to be able to accommodate the new chips. There are some cheaper x570 options coming to market now so they might be worth exploring, as they don’t require an update to run the new chips.
If you do decide to get an older board, make sure they have BIOS FLASHBACK button. If not, you will need to purchase another last-gen ryzen chip in order to update the motherboards BIOS
I want to make pc with ryzen 5 3600 but confuse with motherboard which motherboard is good for that and which is upted bios so no need to update afterwards
I’d recommend going for an X570 if you don’t want the hassle of a BIOS update.
MSI is releasing a slew of new 400-series AMD motherboards to deliver on . It’s had to do this because a large percentage of its existing B450 and X470 motherboards are still using 16MB BIOS chips which are simply not big enough to cope with the latest microcode updates necessary to make the new 3rd Gen Ryzen processors function in the older motherboards.
Like the X570 motherboards which have accompanied the new AMD launch, these latest feature 32MB BIOS chips which are able to accommodate the beefy AGESA ComboAM4 1.0.0.3a microcode. The previous beta BIOS updates released for the existing X470 and B450 motherboards needed to nix a bunch of features and product support to be able to offer any compatibility for the likes of the Ryzen 9 3900X or Ryzen 7 3700X.
All A-series and Athlons b450 x470 msi using the old Bristol Ridge design, the first chips to take advantage of the AM4 socket, have been cut from the beta 16MB BIOS updates, as has support for RAID arrays. MSI has also killed the shiny Click BIOS 5 software and replaced it with a very old-school black and white setup.
If you don’t have access to an older, supported AMD CPU for your motherboard and also don’t have a motherboard with the Flash BIOS button, you’ll have to contact AMD for a boot kit. More details here: https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/pa-100#faq-Short-Term-Processor-Loan-Boot-Kit
Hi Ary,
Yea I heard MSI was working on something like this. Gonna have a look into it over the next couple of days.
First Build Ever
I just got my x470-F on the 22nd July, 2019. I haven’t put anything together yet and I was literally about to order the Ryzen 3700x but first checked compatibility on pcpartspicker.com and saw the info about the update for the BIOS. So how can I tell if my motherboard came with the BIOS versions that Charlie listed as okay for Ryzen 3000?
Hi Nicholas,
Where did you purchase the motherboard from? You could check with the manufacturer to see if they have that information. It is sometimes printed on the box or in the user manual.
If you go ahead and buy the 3700x, you’ll know the motherboard has an outdated BIOS when the screen doesn’t boot up the BIOS menu.
The process is actually relatively easy though. We have done a couple in office and it only takes 5minutes and you’re up and running.
Ive just bought a ROG Strix X470-F, because its brand new is there a way of telling if it already has a BIOS version new enough to support the new 3000 ryzen, is it written on the board anywhere or any other way? As these boards are still being manufactured surely Asus would ship with a newish BIOS version.
Hi Graham,
When did you buy the board and can you check to see what BIOS version your X470-F is running?
Asus released Bios version 4804 which supports Ryzen 3000 on the 2019/06/05.
They have also recently released 5007 as a further improvement. If the motherboard comes with either of these 2 Bios versions then you will be good to go.
Hope this helps :]
Do new motherboards need a bios update?I am moving from FX to a Ryzen 5 3600 to the Pro-M2 V2, so I am just wondering if it will need one because I dont want to have to spend more money on another processor to update it as I am on a tight budget.
Only X570 motherboards don’t need BIOS update.
Hi Psyn1x,
If you’re looking at purchasing an X570, you will not require a BIOS update to run your processor, any other compatible chipset, x470, x370, b350, b450, WILL need a BIOS update .
Hope this helps.
I bought the B450 Pro Carbon AC Plus for my 3600. Has anyone had success using it with the 3000 series after updating the bios?
ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING [BIOS 2406] broke mouse support. BIOS is bugged. I contacted Asus and thing basically told me to F off and it my fault there update is bad. Last time I ever support Asus.
We have a 3200g/3400g/3600 which all work with a B450 Gaming Plus in office.
Try to go even older. You can find dirr cheap amd cpu’s way under 100
I’m on the trickier side of the equation! Trying to build for the first time, I know that I want a Ryzen 3000 + x470 Mobo combo. Which cheap cpu should I buy? Ryzen 2000?
Not sure why you want to buy an older CPU, if your plan is to get the Ryzen 3000 series.
AMD does has a loaner program, if you need to borrow a CPU to flash a BIOS update. If you’re looking for a older CPU to hold you over till the pricing on the 3000 series comes down a bit, I’m not sure it’s worth it.. But if that’s the plan, I saw Micro Center has a sale on the 2600X for $139 right now.
What X470 motherboard are you looking at, it#s probably financially a better call to invest in a slightly better motherboard which has BIOS FLASHBACK feature. Meaning you can update the BIOS without the need for a processor.
Numerous MSI b450 motherboards have yet to receive ryzen 3000 support. MSI has posted a few beta bios available on a forum however many don’t work or won’t even show when trying to flash the motherboard
Hi Juan,
I’ll have to do some research into this, I have yet to experience any problems with the B450’s we have in office.
Found something interesting… on Amazon, in the description of the b450 motherboard, it claims to support 1st and 2nd motherboards. Yet on the official msi website, it says that the b450 SUPPORTS 3rd generation Ryzen… does this mean that instead of updating the Bios we should just purchase off of the msi website,
*first and second gen ryzen
Manufacturers says that their x470 and b450 boards are “compatible” with Ryzen 3rd gen, which in fact means “compatible with bios update”
Pretty much yea. This being said, I believe motherboard manufacturers will soon be releasing 300/400 series boards which have already been updated.