Motherboard Help

[Christian_Bell6]

I need help, i cant find anyone who knows the answer to my problem and i would love it if someone were to help. My question/problem is, im using pcpartpicker to put together my first build and when i choose a mobo with the 970 chipset, it tells me this " Some AMD 970 chipset motherboards may need a BIOS update prior to using Vishera CPUs. " ... do i need to update the bios and if i do, how would i go about doing this, also, if it didnt need to be updated and i didnt, would there be any drawbacks? if anyone could plz help that would be great!  Here is the list of the build im planning on getting http://pcpartpicker.com/p/b9dm7P

[Pugs501]

Can you post your specs?

[TRINHbot1101001]

I got that same message when I got my CPU and mobo. I didn't update my BIOS or anything and my PC works fine. I have an AMD FX-6300 and a Gigabyte GA-970A UD3P motherboard, to give you an idea. So I don't think you have to worry about it.

[Sakkura]

I got that same message when I got my CPU and mobo. I didn't update my BIOS or anything and my PC works fine. I have an AMD FX-6300 and a Gigabyte GA-970A UD3P motherboard, to give you an idea. So I don't think you have to worry about it.

 

That model is fairly recent, so the problem doesn't really apply. Older models, like the GA-970A-UD3 (without the P) might be affected. But only if you get one that was manufactured a long time ago.

[Lotus]

It depends on when the MoBo was made. If it's an older model and most importantly, old stock, then it is very likely. If it is newer, then you will not need to reflash the bios. Most will tell you. Keep in mind that while some motherboards support CPU-less bios reflashing, most will require a compatible CPU with the current bios to reflash thebios to the one one to support your desired CPU.

 

One other thing to be concerned about is that not all 970 chipsets provide great power delivery for high TDP chips. It's something you really want to look into to make sure you get the right one.

[Sakkura]

The Asrock 970 Pro3 has 4+1 phases with no heatsink. Not really good for an 8-core CPU. Certainly not if you're going to overclock. Ideally you'd go for something like the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P, which has 8+2 phases with a heatsink.

[Christian_Bell6]

The Asrock 970 Pro3 has 4+1 phases with no heatsink. Not really good for an 8-core CPU. Certainly not if you're going to overclock. Ideally you'd go for something like the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P, which has 8+2 phases with a heatsink.

How would the MSI 970 Gaming  Mobo do?

[Sakkura]

Looks like 6+2 which should still be pretty good.

[Christian_Bell6]

another question ii had, can i plug a 3 pin fan into a 4 pin fan header and vice versa? 

[Sakkura]

Yes. You just don't get the PWM control, and have to hope for voltage control instead.

[Christian_Bell6]

Is it bad if i dont have any control over them? and also, what am i to do if i have more fans than my mobo has ports for? 

[Sakkura]

The worst that could happen is that the fans just run at full speed continuously.

 

If your motherboard does not have enough fan headers, you can either connect fans directly to the power supply (which definitely has no fan control, so those fans would run at full speed) or get a dedicated fan controller.

[Christian_Bell6]

Would it be better to run one 200mm top mounted fan or two 140mm fans? (exhaust)

[Sakkura]

Hard to say, might be pretty close. The selection of 140mm fans is a lot better though, so that might sway your decision.

[Christian_Bell6]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147169&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= im going with this case and i want to know if the pre installed fans are worth keeping?

[Lotus]

If they're anything like the fans that came in my Rosewill Challenger case, then yes. My fans were 3-pin connectors with an extra molex connect just in case you don't have enough slots on the MoBo. They're not quiet though at full speed, so if that's something you care about either make sure they're running slower, or replace them.

[Christian_Bell6]

I'm also going to pick up an anti static wrist strap (this: http://bit.ly/1o01722) just to be safe, and i was wondering what i'm supposed to clip it to?

[Lotus]

the band goes on you, and the clip goes on anything that's grounded.

[Christian_Bell6]

I know anything that's grounded, but whats grounded? What do people normally clip it to?

[Lotus]

Find either the biggest hunk of metal you can, or something that you know is grounded. The old way of doing, and usually safe unless you have cat fur for feet and are working on a shag carpet, is to simply touch the inside of your computer case every minute or so. It still works just fine so long as you aren't in a place easily susceptible to static buildup. The most common cause of static these days is removing the case from the package because many use styrofoam, and styrofoam rubbing on certain things can build up an electric charge.

[Christian_Bell6]

this a good deal? and is sapphire a good and trusted brand?

 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8573338