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What is a situation in which I would need to flash my BIOS?

Still a bit new to this kind of stuff. I was reading about flashing BIOS last night and it seems like a scary undertaking because it can brick your parts. What exactly warrants a flash and what does not?

 

Also regarding the BIOS, is going into your BIOS and changing values to overclock better than using programs that do the same thing? Which one has the higher chance of going wrong? Is it advisable to do one over the other?

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Still a bit new to this kind of stuff. I was reading about flashing BIOS last night and it seems like a scary undertaking because it can brick your parts. What exactly warrants a flash and what does not?

-Higher system stability

-Newer CPU compatibility 

-Could solve some issues with IO

Desktop: Intel Core i5 2380P (2400 w/o iGPU), MSI H61, 8GB RAM, 256GB SP610, 500GB WD Blue, HIS R9 280, Antec TruePower Classic 550W, Inwin MANA 134, QNIX QX2710, CM QuickFire Rapid, Logitech G402

 

Laptop: Toshiba Satellite L40D, AMD A6-6310, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Radeon R4 Graphics, 14" 1366x768

 

 

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Overclocking via BIOS is much better. I personally flash a BIOS anytime there's a new one, but my MB has a backup BIOS chip to if the flash goes wrong it doesn't really matter. Instability, bugs or anything like that requires a BIOS update. 

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Prometheus (Main Rig)

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If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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Flashing bios can result in a multitude of things. The changes are usually stated per bios but you usually only do it so that the motherboard supports an important feature such as a new CPU-line like devils canyon

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If you are having a problem which a BIOS flash will sort and you know what you are doing then flash.

 

But if you are unsure of whether you should or not DON'T

 Two motoes to live by   "Sometimes there are no shortcuts"

                                           "This too shall pass"

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Allowing some GPUs to work. I know my old system need a flash to get my GTX 550Ti working.

\

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If you are having a problem which a BIOS flash will sort and you know what you are doing then flash.

 

But if you are unsure of whether you should or not DON'T

Are there any good video tutorials floating around? I need a USB right?

 

Overclocking via BIOS is much better. I personally flash a BIOS anytime there's a new one, but my MB has a backup BIOS chip to if the flash goes wrong it doesn't really matter. Instability, bugs or anything like that requires a BIOS update. 

Should I OC with the software first to find a stable setting, then do a hard OC through the BIOS?

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Are there any good video tutorials floating around? I need a USB right?

 

Should I OC with the software first to find a stable setting, then do a hard OC through the BIOS?

That's what I do. But you'll be able to get a better OC in the BIOS so the software one is just a general area.
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Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

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Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

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Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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That's what I do. But you'll be able to get a better OC in the BIOS so the software one is just a general area.

What do you mean by better?

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What do you mean by better?

You be able to get a higher OC. Possibly with less voltage.

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Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

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Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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You be able to get a higher OC. Possibly with less voltage.

I hate to grill you but what is the reason for that?

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I hate to grill you but what is the reason for that?

You're fine, ask as many questions as you want. I'll try to answer them. I believe it's because the software can't change the voltage, like the BIOS can. I could be wrong though.

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Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

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Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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You're fine, ask as many questions as you want. I'll try to answer them. I believe it's because the software can't change the voltage, like the BIOS can. I could be wrong though.

Isn't messing with voltage potentially very dangerous and more stressful to your parts? Are there build in limiter to the hardware that will prevent going berserk with that kind of stuff?

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Isn't messing with voltage potentially very dangerous and more stressful to your parts? Are there build in limiter to the hardware that will prevent going berserk with that kind of stuff?

It will create more heat, and is possibly dangerous if you add too much voltage. I don't know the limit on your CPU, but as long as you have adequate cooling you should be fine.
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Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

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Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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It will create more heat, and is possibly dangerous if you add too much voltage. I don't know the limit on your CPU, but as long as you have adequate cooling you should be fine.

Does the same go for RAM? The RAM I have is rated at 1.5V, but a lot of other RAM available is rated at 1.65V for the same setup. IS changing RAM voltage a bad idea or is it mandatory to go beyond the 1600 limit set by the CPU?

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Does the same go for RAM? The RAM I have is rated at 1.5V, but a lot of other RAM available is rated at 1.65V for the same setup. IS changing RAM voltage a bad idea or is it mandatory to go beyond the 1600 limit set by the CPU?

I wouldn't go to much higher with RAM, but 1.65 will be fine if 1.5 isn't stable with the OC.
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Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

Spoiler

Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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I wouldn't go to much higher with RAM, but 1.65 will be fine if 1.5 isn't stable with the OC.

Do you recommend any specific program to get started? I'll have to monitor everything carefully and do a lot of testing to see what works. Should I keep my case open until I find a good spot?

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Do you recommend any specific program to get started? I'll have to monitor everything carefully and do a lot of testing to see what works. Should I keep my case open until I find a good spot?

Can you tell me your CPU and mobo?

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Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

Spoiler

Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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Can you tell me your CPU and mobo?

I haven't built it yet but my plan is to use an i5 4690k and a MSI Z97 gaming 7 mobo.

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I haven't built it yet but my plan is to use an i5 4690k and a MSI Z97 gaming 7 mobo.

You can keep the side panel on. I don't know of any overclocking apps for Intel, but this one should work fine, Intel XTU. I recommend keeping CPU-Z or something similar open to monitor temps.

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Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

Spoiler

Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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You can keep the side panel on. I don't know of any overclocking apps for Intel, but this one should work fine, Intel XTU. I recommend keeping CPU-Z or something similar open to monitor temps.

I've messed around with that app before, it's pretty nice. The name of the game is to basically go as high as you can without temperatures become unsafe or unmanageable right? Is stress testing a reliable way to test temperature output, or would a strenuous game be a more realistic test?

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I've messed around with that app before, it's pretty nice. The name of the game is to basically go as high as you can without temperatures become unsafe or unmanageable right? Is stress testing a reliable way to test temperature output, or would a strenuous game be a more realistic test?

A game would be more realistic, but a stress test will make sure it's stable. And yes, get it as high as possible without it being too hot, or unstable. Look at how much voltage your CPU can handle first as well.

Spoiler

Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

Spoiler

Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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A game would be more realistic, but a stress test will make sure it's stable. And yes, get it as high as possible without it being too hot, or unstable. Look at how much voltage your CPU can handle first as well.

I guess it's just one of things you have to do before you really understand everything. How can I tell if my OC is unstable outside of a game?

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I guess it's just one of things you have to do before you really understand everything. How can I tell if my OC is unstable outside of a game?

If it doesn't crash on startup that's a good sign. I use Prime95 to stress test, and make sure it's 100% stable.
Spoiler

Prometheus (Main Rig)

CPU-Z Verification

Laptop: 

Spoiler

Intel Core i3-5005U, 8GB RAM, Crucial MX 100 128GB, Touch-Screen, Intel 7260 WiFi/Bluetooth card.

 Phone:

 Game Consoles:

Spoiler

Softmodded Fat PS2 w/ 80GB HDD, and a Dreamcast.

 

If you want my attention quote my post, or tag me. If you don't use PCPartPicker I will ignore your build.

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