How to manage if newer BIOS is needed for CPU

[mfeller2]

I am building a new system without existing components. I am looking at the Ryzen 2700 for CPU.

The motherboard that I am looking at says that Ryzen 2xxx is supported from BIOS version "F22" and later.

Do motherboard vendors put the BIOS version on the outside of the box?

If I end up with a motherboard with an older BIOS, can I still use the 2700 to update? (Maybe some reduced performance mode is available with the older BIOS?) (Assuming I use another PC to download the BIOS update and put it on a USB Flash drive)

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks!

 

[LTC8K6]

Which mobo?

 

[mfeller2]

Gigabyte AB350N-Gaming. Chosen specifically because it is mini-ITX and it explicitly shows support for ECC. So options to consider other motherboards are limited.

The CPU support page shows Ryzen 2xxx support starting from BIOS version F22.

 

[LTC8K6]

Looks like F22 was released about 3 months ago. Not sure how fast stock moves off the shelves.

AMD does offer a boot kit with a loaner cpu.

https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/2Gen-Ryzen-AM4-System-Bootup.aspx

 

[XavierMace]

I am building a new system without existing components. I am looking at the Ryzen 2700 for CPU.

The motherboard that I am looking at says that Ryzen 2xxx is supported from BIOS version "F22" and later.

Do motherboard vendors put the BIOS version on the outside of the box?

If I end up with a motherboard with an older BIOS, can I still use the 2700 to update? (Maybe some reduced performance mode is available with the older BIOS?) (Assuming I use another PC to download the BIOS update and put it on a USB Flash drive)

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks!

They don't list the BIOS version, but any with a sufficiently recent BIOS should have the silver sticker mentioned here:

If you look at the Raven Ridge threads (Ryzen 2200G and 2400G) Gigabyte seems to be doing the best job with their BIOS's. My GA-AB350N-Gaming I purchased at the end of Feb came with F20 on it if memory serves, and F20 is the earliest BIOS on that board with Pinnacle Ridge support which is what you're looking for. If you end up with a board with too old of a BIOS, no you cannot use the 2700 to update.

 

[cmdrdredd]

In addition some motherboards offer the ability to update the BIOS even with no CPU present through the use of a USB drive and pressing a specific button somewhere on the motherboard.

 

[chrisjames61]

In addition some motherboards offer the ability to update the BIOS even with no CPU present through the use of a USB drive and pressing a specific button somewhere on the motherboard.

Only higher tier boards have this option.

 

[DietDrThunder]

Wow! What a coincidencal topic. I just assembled an ASRock AB350-ITX system with an AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB DDR 4 2400 SDRAM, and it won’t post. I see the lan port flashing, all fans including the case fans and CPU fans are spinning. No keyboard, mouse, or HDMI video. I’ve checked everything 6 times but it won’t boot. Anything else I should check before contacting AMD for a loaner CPU?

 

[ancient pedant]

You can get an am4 A6 from amazon for about $60. Just saying...

 

[cmdrdredd]

Only higher tier boards have this option.

I just know it is a thing, not which boards have it.

 

[DietDrThunder]

Looks like F22 was released about 3 months ago. Not sure how fast stock moves off the shelves.

AMD does offer a boot kit with a loaner cpu.

https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/2Gen-Ryzen-AM4-System-Bootup.aspx

I'm telling you guys right now. Do not buy a motherboard unless you are 100% sure it is Ryzen (Raven Ridge) ready. Neweggs website says that this motherboard is Raven Ridge ready, but to me, unless the BIOS is up-to-date on the board you are receiving, then IT IS NOT Raven Ridge ready. It is NOT worth the hassle. It is like dealing with the devil in order to even try and get a boot kit loaner cpu. I've followed the instructions to the letter, I have talked to AMD support, and now I'm being told that I need to go through the motherboard manufacturer and have them send me another updated motherboard. It isn't worth it. I'm getting an RMA from newegg and sending everything back. It just isn't worth the hassle.

 

[LTC8K6]

I'm telling you guys right now. Do not buy a motherboard unless you are 100% sure it is Ryzen (Raven Ridge) ready. Neweggs website says that this motherboard is Raven Ridge ready, but to me, unless the BIOS is up-to-date on the board you are receiving, then IT IS NOT Raven Ridge ready. It is NOT worth the hassle. It is like dealing with the devil in order to even try and get a boot kit loaner cpu. I've followed the instructions to the letter, I have talked to AMD support, and now I'm being told that I need to go through the motherboard manufacturer and have them send me another updated motherboard. It isn't worth it. I'm getting an RMA from newegg and sending everything back. It just isn't worth the hassle.

Well, we probably couldn't trust the seller's claim anyway.
If it's that much trouble, then I agree, it's not worth the hassle.
I'd just get an A6-9500 to have handy, I guess.

 

[mindless1]

Get a used CPU off Amazon and resell for the same you paid so you're only out postage?

 

[XavierMace]

I'm telling you guys right now. Do not buy a motherboard unless you are 100% sure it is Ryzen (Raven Ridge) ready. Neweggs website says that this motherboard is Raven Ridge ready, but to me, unless the BIOS is up-to-date on the board you are receiving, then IT IS NOT Raven Ridge ready. It is NOT worth the hassle. It is like dealing with the devil in order to even try and get a boot kit loaner cpu. I've followed the instructions to the letter, I have talked to AMD support, and now I'm being told that I need to go through the motherboard manufacturer and have them send me another updated motherboard. It isn't worth it. I'm getting an RMA from newegg and sending everything back. It just isn't worth the hassle.

You could also look through the existing Raven Ridge threads and see what people are reporting.

 

[ancient pedant]

I'd just get an A6-9500 to have handy, I guess.

Exactly what I did. Cheap and no hassle at all.