I'm upgrading my PC from a Ryzen 5 CPU and Sapphire NITRO+ RX Vega 64 to a Ryzen 7 5800X3D and an ASRock Challenger RX 9070. My MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC is currently running BIOS 7B85v16 from March 2019. Before installing the new parts, I want to update the BIOS, but I'm unsure whether I need to install an intermediate BIOS version before jumping to the newest compatible release. Should I update the BIOS while the current CPU and GPU are still installed, and is there a recommended order for physically replacing the CPU and graphics card?
3 Answers
After the BIOS update completes successfully, shut down and replace the CPU first. Clear the CMOS if MSI’s instructions recommend it, install the 5800X3D with fresh thermal paste, and confirm that the system boots before changing anything else. It’s easier to troubleshoot one major change at a time.
The GPU and CPU do not have to be installed in a specific order, but testing the new processor with the existing graphics card is a practical approach. Once the system is stable, install the RX 9070, connect its power cables properly, and reinstall or clean up the graphics driver if necessary. Using DDU is optional but can help when moving between older and newer GPU drivers.
Update the BIOS first with the currently working CPU, GPU, and memory installed. Download the newest BIOS version that specifically lists Ryzen 5000 or the 5800X3D support, copy it to a FAT32-formatted USB drive, and use M-Flash from the BIOS. Don’t remove the old CPU before flashing, since the system is known to work with it. Check MSI’s notes for the exact release because some older boards require a particular bridge version, but don’t assume you need to downgrade unless MSI explicitly says so.
That makes sense. I was worried that going directly from such an old BIOS to the newest one might fail, so I’ll check the release notes for any required intermediate version.
So the safest plan is BIOS update with the old setup, then CPU replacement and testing, followed by the new GPU. That should make it easier to identify any problem.