Asrock 970 Extreme3 R2/ Extreme4 Bios/CPU Question

kobz360

Honorable
Jan 23, 2013
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10,510
Hey guys :)

I'm about to build a new PC and I have a question about these mobos pairing with the 8350/8320
- ASRock 970 Extreme 3 R2
- ASRock 970 Extreme4

So I plan on buying either an 8320 or 8350 to pair, but what I want to know is if I will have to flash/update the bios beforehand? If so, does that mean I have to buy another cheap CPU and use that to flash? I have already checked the ASRock sites and It doesn't really say anywhere what bios version the board will come with so this is pretty much going out to anyone that may have the boards.

I personally think that its only the 760 boards that need updating but, I have no idea so I'm here to ask.

Thankyou so much for your help.
 
Solution
I have an Asrock 990FX extreme3, you only need to update the BIOS if you're running windows 8 (I had to, but windows 7 was fully supported when I installed mine). They don't recommend updating to the newest BIOS if you're running windows 7. The same is true of the 970 series. When you boot it up, check to make sure your BIOS is v1.6 if you're running win7 you're good. If you intend to run win8, you can go to Asrock's website (www.asrock.com) and update to the newest version. You won't have to install a different CPU as the compatability is the same, the instructions are just different for the OS, and you can run win7 without an update, it will just run less favorably.

Here is the BIOS update link to download the newest...
Either board has the same chance of needing a BIOS update - the issue there (which is near impossible to find out an answer to) is when the board was made and what BIOS was available then. I would think that the board should not be in need of an update (assuming it has not been on the shelf for more than 4 months) but that does include an assumption. If you find you do need to flash the BIOS, a local computer repair shop may be helpful (rather than purchasing a CPU for one time use)
Hope it helps
 

8350rocks

Distinguished
I have an Asrock 990FX extreme3, you only need to update the BIOS if you're running windows 8 (I had to, but windows 7 was fully supported when I installed mine). They don't recommend updating to the newest BIOS if you're running windows 7. The same is true of the 970 series. When you boot it up, check to make sure your BIOS is v1.6 if you're running win7 you're good. If you intend to run win8, you can go to Asrock's website (www.asrock.com) and update to the newest version. You won't have to install a different CPU as the compatability is the same, the instructions are just different for the OS, and you can run win7 without an update, it will just run less favorably.

Here is the BIOS update link to download the newest drivers...

http://www.asrock.com/mb/download.asp?Model=970%20Extreme3&o=BIOS

I would go with the extreme3 by the way, the extreme4 has had some QC issues in the past, and I wouldn't recommend buying it.
 
Solution