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BIOS
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the foundational software for PC hardware initialization, and while it is essential for system stability and performance tuning, users view updates with significant caution. It is frequently used to enable high-speed RAM profiles (XMP/EXPO) and fix compatibility issues between older motherboards and newer components. However, the process of flashing a BIOS is considered high-risk due to the potential for bricking hardware, and new versions occasionally introduce thermal or stability regressions.
Pros
- Crucial for improving memory stability, especially on AM5 platforms
- Enables RAM performance features like XMP and EXPO
- Fixes hardware compatibility issues, such as allowing older motherboards to work with modern GPUs
- Allows customization of power-on behavior (e.g., 'Always Off' after AC power loss)
- Can resolve specific hardware bugs like DisplayPort detection failures
Cons
- Flashing carries a risk of bricking the motherboard if the process is interrupted
- Newer updates can sometimes be less stable or cause CPUs to run hotter than previous versions
- User interfaces are inconsistent across brands and can be difficult for beginners to navigate
- Older BIOS versions may have expired Secure Boot certificates
- Some versions are overly limited, lacking controls for fan speeds or manual RAM clocking
Caveats
- The prevailing community advice is to never update a BIOS on a working machine unless there is a known issue or a required feature
- Updates are considered mandatory for certain high-end CPUs (like the 14900K or 9800X3D) to prevent hardware degradation
- Disabling Global C-states in the BIOS is a common workaround for instability on early AM5 firmware
- A 'bad' BIOS or unstable overclock can cause false positives in memory testing software
Best for
- Users installing a new CPU on an older motherboard
- Enabling rated RAM speeds via XMP/EXPO
- Troubleshooting persistent system hangs or random shutdowns
Avoid if
- Your system is currently stable and performing as expected
- You are uncomfortable with the risk of a failed firmware flash
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older (median age ~200 days), which may affect the relevance of specific version-related stability claims for the newest hardware.
Sentiment
59 positive (62%) · 13 mixed (14%) · 23 negative (24%)
Trust + time weighted score: +34% · raw score 38%
What redditors said (10 of 95)
There's usually a setting in the bios that is something like power on after loss of power so, it's certainly possible. I used to turn my computer on remotely with a wifi switch and this setting enabled.
The new update installed easily, but once loading into Windows, it was unstable and running super hot. No worries, I had a copy of the stable BIOS on hand, so I will just re-flash. It was going great and at 75%, the system shut down. The board was bricked, nothing.
Depends on the age of the BIOS version. If it is from before 2024 be aware that Secure Boot Certificates are expired.
update BIOS if you haven’t already (AM5 memory stability improves a lot with updates) or decrease DRAM voltage slightly
Never, ever, update a BIOS on a working machine with no known issues. Especially not one that's old.
That was caused by a BIOS update too, except it was required for a new CPU.
I've had plenty of machines be really awkward on first boot, but once into the bios screen and the settings are saved they behave. For example, one machine, first boot after a CMOS clear it will only boot with one …
There is a setting in the BIOS that dictates the computer's behavior upon AC Power Loss and it usually defaults to "Last Known State". If it's on when the power loss happens, it'll turn back on when power is restored.
Set this to "Always Off" instead to make it turn on for about 4 seconds then shut off when power is restored.
Except everyone HAS to update their bios before issues are known these days to avoid degradation and CPU failures on recent top end chips like 14900k and 9800x3d. If you don’t update bios before issues arise and you have one of the many chips affected by these issues, you will be screwed.
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