Stupid Question: Can I flash this BIOS on this motherboard?

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njsullyalex

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Aug 13, 2017
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I know the answer is most likely no, but I thought I might ask just in case. I built a super budget system last year, and used the HP Pro 3000 motherboard, which has the Intel G45 Express chipset and DDR3 RAM. It is using a Core 2 Quad Q9400 running at stock clocks, but I want to overclock it. I found that it is actually made by MSI, so I found an MSI motherboard using the G45 Express chipset, the MSI G45M. They look very similar externally, however, the MSI board uses DDR2 memory, not DDR3. Would it be possible to flash the MSI BIOS on the HP board so I can overclock my CPU?

Link to MSI BIOS: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/G45M
 
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njsullyalex

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This is kinda the answer I expected. This was a cheap $20 mobo on a budget build (this isn't my main build), but it probably wouldn't work. Thanks for the answer. Out of curiosity, what dictates whether a BIOS is compatible with a mobo or not? Is it chipset alone, or are there other factors (such as PLL) that go into compatibility?
 
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kraelic

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PCI (PCI Express), PCI Index/Data, Memory, Memory Index/Data, I/O Space, I/O Index/Data, Super I/O, Clock Generator, DIMM SPD, SMBus Device, CPU MSR Registers, ATA/ATAPI Identify Data, Disk Read Write, ACPI Tables Dump (include AML decode), Embedded Controller, USB Information, SMBIOS Structures, PCI Option ROMs, MP Configuration Table, E820, EDID and Remote Access...

There are a lot of things specific per board that cannot be written to another board.
 
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njsullyalex

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That makes sense. Like I said, this was a stupid question. Maybe one day I can figure out a way to OC the Q9400, maybe I should sell it for a Q6600 and BSEL mod that.
 
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njsullyalex

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Do you think it would? I thought it wouldn't work because the socket FSB is 1333 mhz and the Q9400 at stock is 1333 mhz
 
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kraelic

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Pretty sure the G45 can recognize 400FSB pads. I modded one core2 duo to run on 400 fsb with its low 8x multi to drop into a P45. Officially the x48 was 1600 FSB

You might need to avoid the IGP though and use a GPU in the x16 slot.
 
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njsullyalex

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Alright, I'll give this a try when I get the chance, and I'll get back to you on how it goes. Also, I'm not using the iGPU, I'm running a Radeon HD5870 in the x16 slot.


EDIT: I attempted a BSEL mod on a computer lab HP at school with a Q6600. The mod was successful, the CPU OC'd to 3.0 Ghz. The question is now, will it work on the Q9400?
 
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njsullyalex

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I tried the tape mod you suggested, but when I did, the PC refused to boot. I then took the tape off, and the PC booted no problem. I guess the motherboard just doesn't like 1600 mhz FSB... Is there a way to mod the BIOS to get it to run at 1600 FSB? Or am I crazy at this point?
 
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kraelic

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njsullyalex

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Once again, also the answer I was expecting. Thanks for your tips, I think I'm going to give up on this for a while. It's not too big of a deal since this isn't my main rig, more of a side project. I don't think it's really possible to OC on this motherboard (other than Q6600 BSEL mod), so maybe one day I can invest in one of those modded Xeons, but now I'm just beating a dead horse trying to overclock the Q9400. Thanks again for your help though.
 
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kraelic

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The tape might have failed if the board is looking for an actual High value and not open or infinite that tape does. If you are adventurous you can get some rear window defogger repair kit and dab on two adjacent pins per the 333 to 400 pic.

http://www.overclockers.com/intel-lga775-pad-modding/

If it doesn't boot like with the tape you can gently remove the fogger with your fingernail
 
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njsullyalex

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I could maybe look into it, I'm going to take a break on this for now. Maybe if I can get some conductive paint this summer, thanks for the suggestion!
 
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