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Bios Update WITHOUT Processor

Max577601 Posted messages 5 Status Member -  
Max577601 Posted messages 5 Status Member -

Hello, having acquired an Asus Z790-F motherboard for an Intel processor, namely the 14700KF, a processor generation known for its significant long and medium-term reliability issues, Intel released Bios updates to downclock the processors' performance to increase their longevity. Therefore, we need to update the Bios without a processor to avoid damaging it… so with the help of a USB stick and the Flash Bios button present on the motherboard, powering it is all that is needed. The problem is that when I follow the procedure to the letter and press the Flash Bios button, the LED blinks and then instantly becomes solid, without the Bios being updated since the whole process takes less than two seconds. If anyone has already followed this procedure with this same motherboard and processor type, their assistance would be greatly appreciated... thank you.

Note: I have been unable to obtain any help from Asus, as all support for PC parts is done exclusively via email, and so far, I have not received any response.

3 answers

  1.
    bazfile Posted messages 58502 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   20 273
     

    Hello.

    In case you haven't done so, the BIOS file, which is in the form of a compressed file, must be unzipped and placed at the root of the USB drive, not in a folder.

    bazfile
    Moderator/Security Contributor.
    A hello, a reply, a thank you are always appreciated.

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    1. Max577601 Posted messages 5 Status Member
       

      It has been done, Asus even has a small program that renames the file appropriately to avoid any errors.

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  2. flo88 Posted messages 28492 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   Ambassadeur 5 170
     

    Hello

    Asus Z790-F for Intel processor, specifically the 14700KF, a processor generation known to have significant reliability issues in the medium and long term. To address the problem, Intel has updated the BIOS to downgrade processor performances in order to increase their longevity. Therefore, we need to update the BIOS without the processor to avoid damaging it.

    Pretty much everything is not really accurate.

    It is in no way necessary to flash the BIOS without the processor to fix this problem, which is nothing more than Intel's excessive optimism that applied slightly too ambitious auto overclocking values.. Motherboard manufacturers are not entirely innocent in this matter, moreover the issue is relatively known and has been resolved for several months, nothing prevents us from thinking that your motherboard is already on a suitable BIOS version.

    So you can install the CPU, start the PC normally, and then just flash.

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  3. Max577601 Posted messages 5 Status Member
     

    I indeed thought it was a BIOS version with the appropriate microcode... can we find out which version of BIOS is installed on the board?

    In any case, I don't really have much choice but to proceed with flashing the BIOS without a processor... I wanted to do it without a processor to avoid any risk "just in case"...

    I'm aware of Intel's over-optimism, which they themselves covered by blaming the motherboard manufacturers, and even if from my point of view the problem is known and "solved", we can say that we still don't have enough perspective to assess the efficiency of the fix provided, and many hardware professionals strongly advise against purchasing 13th and 14th gen processors, especially the high-end I7 and I9 processors, with the I5 being less affected.

    Thank you for your response.

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    1. flo88 Posted messages 28492 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   5 170
       

      The retail BIOS version of your motherboard is located on the motherboard's PCB:

      https://www.asus.com/fr/support/FAQ/1044755/#:~:text=La%20version%20bios%20est%20en,et%20les%20emplacements%20de%20m%C3%A9moire

      If the card was sold for the European region.

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      1. Max577601 Posted messages 5 Status Member > flo88 Posted messages 28492 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         

        Thank you, unfortunately the fix has not yet been implemented in this version of the BIOS, I will have to do it myself. While I'm at it, I have two 8-pin power connectors for the CPU on the motherboard, should I connect both to the power supply? Or is one enough?

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      2. flo88 Posted messages 28492 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   5 170 > Max577601 Posted messages 5 Status Member
         

        One is enough, unless you plan to overclock your processor, in which case it's necessary to connect the second one. I mention this because your motherboard and the i7 14700KF are built for it.

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      3. Max577601 Posted messages 5 Status Member > flo88 Posted messages 28492 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         

        ok thanks, after overclocking won't it revive the processor problems? And I suppose a good cooling system is still needed, I'm good right now, I got the Corsair AIO 360 Titan and 7 other fans from the same brand, let's see how it performs, but it's a proven setup that usually yields good results

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