Do I need to buy a second CPU?

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

So I've run into a problem. I am currently planning out the build for a new budget pc build. I've decided on the Anniversary Edition Pentium G3258 for my CPU and an affordable H81 model motherboard. (Most likely the ASRock H81M or MSI H81M-P33.) I was about to make my purchases when I noticed a small compatibility issue on PCPartPicker. It reads: "Some Intel H81 chipset motherboards may need a BIOS update prior to using Haswell Refresh CPUs." I've done some research online and read that in order to use this combination of CPU and MOBO I would first need to put in another older model CPU in order to be able to update the BIOS. This seems kinda ridiculous. Is there any way I can get around without having to have another processor? Short of taking one out of a friend's laptop or buying a second one I can't think of any other solutions. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

legend001523 · Aug 26, 2014

You'll need to get a h97 board, they're quite cheap,

Karsten75 · Aug 26, 2014

Well, let's discount the things you *can't* do first.

You can't take a CPU out of a laptop and stick it in the desktop motherboard - it won't fit, socket-wise and that's assuming the laptop doesn't have one of the newer ones where the CPU is soldered to the motherboard. In that case you might damage it by trying to remove it if you are not aware of this.

The reason the warning comes up is that the motherboards and chipsets are older then the CPU - so there may be retail outlets selling older boards that have an older level BIOS that won't work. If it comes from the manufacturer now, it will have a more recent BIOS level and it will work out of the box.

Your solution is one of these:

1. Buy it where you can inspect the product sticker on the side. Many times the vendor puts the BIOS level on the sticker and you don't have to open the box and install it to figure out it won't work.

2. Buy it onlline, either look at the box as for the above, or try it out and if it doesn't work, RMA it to the vendor for an updated version. Cumbersome, potentially slow and a PITA.

oh there are a few boards (Asus, ASrock) I think. where you can flash the BIOS from a USB drive without having a CPU installed. Maybe look if the mobo you are considering have that option.

DHFF · Aug 26, 2014

where do you live? maybe we can find you an H87 board that will be about the same price, personally I havent noticed a huge difference between The H class boards.

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

DHFF :

I live in Moscow, ID. It's pretty far north, only about 2 hours from the US-Canada border. I'd be totally up for finding a new MOBO, the only catch is that is has to be able to overclock the CPU. Preferably it also has 2 PCIe slots and USB 3.0 compatibility like the ASRock H81M does. Here is a list of non Z model MOBOs that can overclock the G3258: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2389948
If you could make suggestions about which one would be best, that'd be great.

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

Karsten75 :

So I accidentally clicked your response as the best answer, not that is was a bad one at all, just thought I wait a bit longer for more solutions before pseudo-closing the discussion. What version of BIOS am I looking for in order for it to be compatible with my processor? Thanks.

Ijack · Aug 26, 2014

You can unselect the Best Answer if you want to leave the thread open. Else people might just see "Solved" and pass it by.

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

Ijack :

How?

legend001523 · Aug 26, 2014

I've done it for you, but you should just get a h97 board, that'll be ready to house your chip out da box

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

legend001523 :

Would this one work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157512&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

If at all possible I'd like to find a cheaper one because I'm running past my target budget

legend001523 · Aug 26, 2014

Yes that's fine, will work out da box

Karsten75 · Aug 26, 2014

legend001523 :

He wants to overclock and the H97 will definitely not overclock.

Some of the old boards "accidentally" overclock, or otherwise it's a Z-series board.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g3258-b81-cheap-overclocking,3888.html

legend001523 · Aug 26, 2014

There is a bios update which allows h97 boards to oc

Karsten75 · Aug 26, 2014

legend001523 :

Seems to be Asus-only? Or dit other mobo manufacturers follow as well?

http://www.techpowerup.com/202196/asus-enables-overclocking-on-h97-h87-b85-and-h81-series-motherboards.html

Nice, very nice. Saves a lot for those wanting to OC on the cheap.

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

legend001523 :

Is that a bios update I can access though with actual CPU installed or am I going to have to find another CPU to update the BIOS first?

legend001523 · Aug 26, 2014

No, since the board supports your cpu already, you just need a flash drive to update it

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

legend001523 :

Ok, and how do I do that? I'm assuming I load the update onto a flash drive and then read the contents of the drive in BIOS during boot. Also, Karsten75 said that it was Asus only? This board is ASRock. Sorry for being super belligerent, I just realy want to make sure I have this right. Thanks for being patient.

legend001523 · Aug 26, 2014

No, any h97 board will be supported, I've heard that there was a BIOS update whwre you can c, but I've never dsone a update before

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

legend001523 :

Alright, thanks.

legend001523 · Aug 26, 2014

Wait, tell me what h97 board you're going to gwt first, some boards may not be compatible :/

DHFF · Aug 26, 2014

you mentioned earlier that you want to Overclock. you wouldn't be able to overclock with an H97 board unfortunately.

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

legend001523 :

This is the board I like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157512&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Is it compatible?

DHFF :

Ok, so I thought that one above was. I guess I should be more clear.

Let's try this again. I want a motherboard that is hassle free, looks good, and costs under $90. I must be able to use and overclock the Pentium G3258. It also must have 2 PCIe slots, 4 RAM slots, and USB 3.0 header(s). If the board above doesn't fit all the criteria, then which one should I get?

legend001523 · Aug 26, 2014

I don't think that one is overclockable, I'd suggest a msi z97 g45, it eliminates the need for a bios update as it will support your gpu out the box and be overclocable without a update

Avelli · Aug 26, 2014

legend001523 :

Sorry, but I can't afford that. I have $300 to spend total on the build, not including the GPU. I only have around $85 to spend on the MOBO.

legend001523 · Aug 27, 2014

Avelli :

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97pcmate
$5 dollars more and you can get this

Do I need to buy a second CPU?

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