How to buy mobo with latest Bios version

[KellyJ]

I wish to build a system with a GA-P31-DS3L motherboard and an Intel E7200 CPU. According to Gigabyte's 'CPU Support List', the E7200 is supported by the current Bios version for the GA-P31-DS3L, which is F9, released 10th July this year.

Please advise how I can be sure the mobo I buy will have this Bios version. Some retailers may have older stock with an earlier Bios version. Can a retailer know what Bios version is in stock, e.g. is it printed on the box? Are some retailers better than others at providing this information?

If the mobo I buy has an earlier version of the Bios, does this mean the E7200 CPU will not work at all, or are there other less serious consequences? Without a working system, I won't be able to update the Bios to F9, though I would rather avoid having to update the Bios anyway.

James

[Maccer101]

Don't think there is an easy answer to this one.

I bought the same board last month from Ebuyer and it had BIOS F8 on it. I think you can only realy tell what version the Bios is when you boot it up.

If it doesn't have the F9 Bios it won't boot with that chip. You would need to put a different supported socket 775 chip in that could run on a lower Bios and then it would boot and you would have to Flash the Bios to the newer version (all that would be explained in the manual). You have to be careful but the Gigabyte boards do have a Flash utility on them to help you.

If you have another PC with a supported chip OR know someone with a PC with one in it you could swap it out, flash the board with F9 and then the E7200 would work. Alternatively buy the cheapest chip that the board supports. You could get a used one off ebay then re-sell it after you have finished. However before you start worrying about getting a second chip you'll just have to try it with the E7200

And no you cannot Flash a board with no CPU.

BTW - I like the GA-P31-DS3L a good budget board, mine takes an age to POST though (15-20 seconds). I think a GA-P31 and a E7200 would make a good combo.

[listy]

some places will update to latest but they will charge you for it

[s_kinton]

I'm sure scan will flash the BIOS to the latest version for a small fee.

[Mossy]

We charge £10 + VAT for this but I am happy to sort this just give me a hola

[KellyJ]

Maccer101:
I want to use a 45nm Core 2 Duo, and it appears that all of them require Bios version F9. I would prefer not to, but I suppose I could instead buy a 65nm Core 2 Duo (most if not all require Bios F2), and maybe live with that.

I take it the risk is simply that the E7200 may not boot.

listy:
Any idea how much such retailers charge to update the Bios? I could check various retailers to see which offer this service, or can anyone suggest such a retailer. If they provide this service, then presumably they can at least tell me what Bios version stock they have.

Thanks for your suggestions.
James

[KellyJ]

Thanks Paulm@scan!

And thanks s_kinton - you were correct.

James

[peterb]

You could specify that it had to have the F9 bios when you buy it. That then becomes a contractual obligation as part of the sale.

[Agent]

If they agree to it

Some motherboard boxes have the BIOS revision on the side - handy if you have some local stores that you can check in

[KellyJ]

Peterb and Agent,

That might work if you had retailer's assurance in writing, but not possible when ordering online.

> Some motherboard boxes have the BIOS revision on the side
I wasn't aware of this - so retailers could check, if willing.

Anyway, looks like Scan can oblige me by updating the Bios. Don't know if they have to temporaly insert a CPU, to boot the mobo and download and flash the Bios, or whether they can swap out a Flash Eprom.

James

[Maccer101]

Just checked my GA-P31-DS3L box, there is no reference to which bios it has.

Bear in mind that the board would now cost £53 if you got the Bios changed, you could by a P35 board like the Asus P5k SE/EPU for £55 which according to the Asus website all Bios' supports the E7200 since production. Also available on scan.

http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/c...K%20SE/EPU

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=656141


Please double check that though, as it will be your problem if I'm wrong.

Personally if I'm right I'd get the Asus as it will be a better board overall unless you need a lot of PCI slots, however I couldn't find too many reviews as it is so new; apart from the NewEgg ones, but people only tend to give feedback on items that were faulty.

The Asus board could be a bit problematic setting up if you want to attach IDE devices to it as the IDE port is quite far down the on the board. If you are using all SATA then this isn't an issue. Also heard that the EPU software is best not installed as it can mess with stabilty, but again this is just what someone said in a forum and they could have botched the install.

Hope this helps and good luck with the build

Hope this helps

[Funkstar]

Anyway, looks like Scan can oblige me by updating the Bios. Don't know if they have to temporaly insert a CPU, to boot the mobo and download and flash the Bios, or whether they can swap out a Flash Eprom.

A temporary chip and memory will be installed, along with a floppy drive to boot from and load the BIOS image off (or perhaps a USB stick if that is possible).

I don't think motherboards have removable EEPROM chips anymore, I've certainally not seen one like that in a while.

[Agent]

A temporary chip and memory will be installed, along with a floppy drive to boot from and load the BIOS image off (or perhaps a USB stick if that is possible).

I don't think motherboards have removable EEPROM chips anymore, I've certainally not seen one like that in a while.

Pretty much all motherboard use a removable flash chip. Sometimes the very cheapest boards and a random one pops up without one, but its very rare still.

[Funkstar]

Really?

Have they changed the chip packaging then? They used to be big long chips with a row of pins either side.

[Agent]

LOL yes

You are thinking of DIP based chips. PLCC have been used for....well....a while

They look like this: http://db.brainbox.co.kr/images/new2...58/amibios.jpg

[Funkstar]

Ah, ok

That makes complete sense. I still think of the 24pin DIP packages when I think of BIOSs