Evga x58 build (first time) need help with bios

[airjocky2]

I'm getting ready to finish my build and am a little apprehensive about dealing with bios since I have no experience building or powering on for the first time. Is there anything I need to tweak on first power up before or after installing Vista 64 bit? I'm hearing alot of people talking about tweaking and flashing bios in order to get memory working properly. I want to turn it on, get it stable with OS and memory, install other software like antivirus and then look into overclocking it at a later date but I'm clueless as to what I need to do other than just install the OS. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. or can I just slap it all together and power it up and all should be good on default bios settings?

Here's my build:
EVGA x58
i7 920
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
coolermaster v8
1 300g velociraptor
1 500g WD black caviar
SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model
1 EVGA geforce 260+ superclocked (will get another later for sli)
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit
Thermaltake W0116RU 750W
antec 1200

 

[Proximon]

You will want to at least check that everything is right in the BIOS.

Memory voltage, timings, frequency, mostly.

Beyond that you'll do most of your testing in Vista.

 

[V3NOM]

basically you should go into the bios and set the RAM at factory specs... some RAM rated for 2.1v won't be stable upon first boot, since it will default to 1.8v.

you may need a BIOS flash to support new processors or graphics cards, but since its an X58 that should be fine.

good luck

 

[merlinbadman]

First off I am assuming most/all X58 Mobo's have the same basic functionality:

I suggest setting your ram to the XMP (extreme memory profile), this will use predetermined settings based on the specs of your ram.

Basically switch on XMP, select 1600Mhz, then manually adjust the timings. Voltages are automatically set.

 

[merlinbadman]

I forgot to add the XMP settings will adjust other things for you such as the QPI link speed.

I used the XMP profile and found it very easy to achieve better ram performance.

 

[airjocky2]

Thanks for info. Is it best to flash bios before or after installing OS? And does anyone know the exact timing and volts for my setup?

 

[merlinbadman]

Thanks for info. Is it best to flash bios before or after installing OS? And does anyone know the exact timing and volts for my setup?

Install the OS and use the bios flashing software that came with it, best to download the BIOS ROM to your PC rather than doing a live download (less to go wrong).

The timings for your ram are 8-8-8-24 @1600Mhz, but the XMP profile should automatically set your voltage and configure it for you.

 

[airjocky2]

I didn't know Windows Vista Ultimate 64 had bios flashing software with it. All the other means of flashing I see involves using a USB drive or a cd loaded with new version that you boot from.

 

[Proximon]

Flashing from a bootable media like a USB drive is the safest way. Any time you flash the BIOS you are rolling the dice... they are just a bit more weighted in your favor that way.

 

[airjocky2]

So if I flash from a bootable media (probably a cd) should i do it before i install windows vista or install that first then flash?

 

[airjocky2]

by the way I don't wanna overclock anything just yet. I just want to get it up and running and stable. I'll worry about OC later. Just looking for any advice anyone has on whether or not I need to change anything in bios in order to get processor and memory up and running and stable.

 

[Proximon]

Flash only if needed, and the presence of an OS on the hard drive has no bearing on anything. Before or after as you need.