Update BIOS on z68 Pro3

[rontom]

Would there be any advantage to updating the bios to the 2.10 version on a z68 pro3 MB with a second generation Intel processor (Sandy Bridge 2500K)? Has anyone had any success with this?

[muscles019]

From my experience steer well clear. It causes more problems than it addresses and Asrock support is useless.

[profJim]

Search the forum to see the results that other owners have had.
Check the ASRock download bios page and read all of the instructions and warnings carefully.
I think that you can NOT flash back to an earlier bios once you flash with the bios for Ivy Bridge processors.

If you have problems with the newest current bios, you will probably have to order and pay for a replacement bios chip that is pre-flashed to your current bios version.
If your system is running without problems with your 2500K, it is probably best to stay with your current bios.

[profJim]

Check out RAM isn't recognized correctly after bios update to 3.10 (Asrock p67 pro3)
It deals with a P67 Pro3, but you might have similar issues with your z68 Pro3.
It took a couple of weeks, but a new pre-programmed bios chip from ASRock solved the problem for one of the forum members.

[rontom]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I will definitely hold off until future bios versions are more reliable.

[profJim]

You're welcome, glad to help out.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Evgeniy64]

Would there be any advantage to updating the bios to the 2.10 version on a z68 pro3 MB with a second generation Intel processor (Sandy Bridge 2500K)? Has anyone had any success with this?

Do not do this. After I did it, my Intel QuickSync (Intel GMA2000) does not work. Intel HD Graphics does not in Windows XP after the BIOS update.

[parsec]

The only advantage to using that BIOS would be giving you an excuse to get a new board after your 'Pro 3 was ruined. Not that it would be worthless, but it would never be the same, as we've seen in this and other forums many times.

The real bad news is, that seems to be the end of the road of BIOS updates for Sandy Bridge CPU users. Unless someone can tell us they survived the update, with the correct driver and software updates afterwards. I have yet to see that posted by anyone. ASR sends users new BIOS chips with an older BIOS version on it, when they use the Ivy Bridge BIOS with their Sandy Bridge board and CPU, and things screw up, so it seems impossible. I haven't touched the newer UEFI version for my ASUS P67 board, and have no plans to do so, with my i7-2600K.

I salute you for being cautious

[rontom]

The only advantage to using that BIOS would be giving you an excuse to get a new board after your 'Pro 3 was ruined. Not that it would be worthless, but it would never be the same, as we've seen in this and other forums many times.

The real bad news is, that seems to be the end of the road of BIOS updates for Sandy Bridge CPU users. Unless someone can tell us they survived the update, with the correct driver and software updates afterwards. I have yet to see that posted by anyone. ASR sends users new BIOS chips with an older BIOS version on it, when they use the Ivy Bridge BIOS with their Sandy Bridge board and CPU, and things screw up, so it seems impossible. I haven't touched the newer UEFI version for my ASUS P67 board, and have no plans to do so, with my i7-2600K.

I salute you for being cautious

The original OP here (rontom), THANKS for weighing in on my question. I have still not updated the bios and I'm currently still using version 1.60