Why updating the BIOS is sometimes a bad idea?

varulv

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Jan 13, 2010
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Hello!

I've seen many people suggest that 'if your system is running fine, don't update the bios!' so I ask, why? Because of the chance of things going south during the update? (not completing properly etc.) For example, I recently built a new computer and my mobo is an asus maximus hero vii, I see a bunch of updates with descriptions like "improved system performance" and the like, so wouldn't it be a good idea to update? Even though I haven't experienced anything negative with my it yet, perhaps there is something.

p.s. with my previous intel board I DID have some issues after a specific bios update, it some the default clock frequency of my CPU and also messed up with the RAM timings, all in all the DX58SO was disaster, that thing wouldn't even let me overclock properly, I'm assuming that asus has a better history with mobos
 
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I think it's largely the "going south" issue. It's one place where (especially in making recommendations to folks who are new to custom computing) the dictum "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies quite aptly.

That said, if an update specifies performance increases I'd go for it. I've never bricked a motherboard, and no one I know has either, at least not from updating a BIOS :D

cuecuemore

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I think it's largely the "going south" issue. It's one place where (especially in making recommendations to folks who are new to custom computing) the dictum "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies quite aptly.

That said, if an update specifies performance increases I'd go for it. I've never bricked a motherboard, and no one I know has either, at least not from updating a BIOS :D
 
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