zss :
I just bought the gigabyte z87mx-d3h with a pentium G3258, but the motherboard didn't come with the newest BIOS update so I figured out I needed to perform a BIOS update in order to use the haswell-refresh. Since I my G3258 isn't compatible with the motherboard for now, can someone tell me how to do a BIOS update without using a CPU? I heard you can do that with some asus motherboard but is there a way to do a similar thing with the z87mx-d3h.
ZSS
Your motherboard support Q-Flash Method (Flashing bios using USB Drive). But the problem is even for this to work you need to boot in to the BIOS, which is not possible without a CPU installed. Check this -
Q-Flash
The motherboards that are equipped with Q-Flash Plus feature and a Q-Flash USB can only update bios without a CPU or Memory installed. Check this
Q-Flash Plus
So basically:
- Q-Flash is for those who wants to update BIOS without OS but have the CPU and Memory installed.
- Q-Flash Plus is for those who wants to update BIOS without OS, CPU and Memory.
So in your case you certainly need a CPU. Borrow one from a friend or go to a near by PC store pay a small amount they will do it for you with any of their Haswell CPU installed on your board. Then come back home with the updated BIOS and now you can easily install the G3258.
Cheers!