I've built around ten PCs, so I know this might come off as a noob question, but I have a motherboard that's compatible with CPUs from the 12th to the 14th generation. Currently, I have an i5 12400F installed, but I'm considering upgrading to an i7 14700F. My main concern is whether I need to update the BIOS before I install the new CPU to avoid the hassle of having to take everything apart again for reapplying thermal paste and the cooler. Is a BIOS update necessary in every instance, or might it be okay to skip it? The box for my motherboard mentioned it's "14th gen ready," so does that mean it could already have the latest update? My motherboard model is MSI Pro B760M-P.
1 Answer
It's a good idea to be on the latest BIOS version when upgrading to a 13th or 14th gen CPU. This will help minimize the risk of issues, like overheating or instability. It's better to be safe than sorry!
What do you mean by risks? Like overheating or just general instability?