Do I Have To Downgrade BIOS for This BIOS Update

[SakibC17]

I was right about to update my BIOS today, but then I noticed in almost all the BIOS descriptions it states this "If the current BIOS version is older than P3.40, please update BIOS to P3.40(Bridge BIOS) before updating this version." When i checked my BIOS, it says it is version P4.70. So in order to update my BIOS should I downgrade to that version then update to a newer one or just update to a newer version of my BIOS from my current version? Thanks.

BIOS Page https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/AB350M Pro4/index.asp#BIOS

 

 

 

[That_Dutch_Guy]

First of, P4.70 is newer than P3.40 so you don't have to downgrade.

Second, why do you want to update your BIOS?

Unless you are having issues, it's not recommended to do it.

[Cyberspirit]

Just update to the latest BIOS. You'd only need to update to 3.40 if you were using a version before that.

[manikyath]

no, it means that the utility they use to update, does not carry the necessary information to upgrade from a version lower than 3.40.

 

so.. in a few theoretical examples:

- version 3.40: updates right away

- version 2.10: requires updating to 3.40 first

- version 3.30: requires updating to 3.40 first

- version 4.70: updates right away.

 

and so on.

[manikyath]

1 minute ago, That_Dutch_Guy said:

First of, P4.70 is newer than P3.40 so you don't have to downgrade.

Second, why do you want to update your BIOS?

Unless you are having issues, it's not recommended to do it.

thats fairly old knowledge at this point.. and in some sense dated.

 

on most (if not all) modern platforms updating bios is completely safe, and while the ROM has limited write cycles, there will never be enough versions to go trough all of them.

 

on the flip side, updating bios could bring increased stability, new (or improved) features, recently improved security has become a concern, etc.

[SakibC17]

Alright, thank you so much. I'm really scared of messing with the BIOS, but things are clearing up for me now. Once again, thank you. 

[That_Dutch_Guy]

1 minute ago, manikyath said:

thats fairly old knowledge at this point.. and in some sense dated.

 

on most (if not all) modern platforms updating bios is completely safe, and while the ROM has limited write cycles, there will never be enough versions to go trough all of them.

 

on the flip side, updating bios could bring increased stability, new (or improved) features, recently improved security has become a concern, etc.

And yet, asrock themselves say pretty much the same thing on their page right above the table with BIOS versions

[manikyath]

Just now, That_Dutch_Guy said:

And yet, asrock themselves say pretty much the same thing on their page right above the table with BIOS versions

and yet, the same asrock has "self-update tools" right in the BIOS even on their lowest end boards

[SakibC17]

By the way, the only reason I'm updating my BIOS is because my Ryzen 2200g has crazy stutters every few seconds whenever I run programs like photoshop or any game (the clock speeds drop significantly for a few seconds at a time then right back to normal). After a few hours of searching, I realized the only way to fix the problem is to update to a BIOS with an AGESA 1002.a  or later BIOS update. Anyway, thanks guys for helping me out. 

[That_Dutch_Guy]

12 minutes ago, manikyath said:

and yet, the same asrock has "self-update tools" right in the BIOS even on their lowest end boards

Just because they don't recommended in certain situations, is not a reason to block their users from doing it anyway "even on their lowest end boards"

[paddy-stone]

Yeah, you were getting older and newer mixed up... I get it though, I have days like that. At least @manikyath got you sorted

 

[SakibC17]

1 minute ago, paddy-stone said:

Yeah, you were getting older and newer mixed up... I get it though, I have days like that. At least @manikyath got you sorted

 

Yeah, he really helped me out and it's my first time doing any fo this so I really needed that as well as the confirmation from others like you. Thank you.

[manikyath]

4 minutes ago, That_Dutch_Guy said:

Just because they don't recommended in certain situations, is not a reason to block their users from doing it anyway "even on their lowest end boards"

they make it easy and readily available, but put that big banner up there so idiots that cant read "DONT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER WHILE UPDATING" dont try to claim warranty on a board they bricked trough sheer stupidity.

[paddy-stone]

1 minute ago, SakibC17 said:

Yeah, he really helped me out and it's my first time doing any fo this so I really needed that as well as the confirmation from others like you. Thank you.

No worries, I didn't do anything, I was late to the party. I'm just happy we have helpful people on here that try to help others.