Are Devil's Canyon K Series CPUs compatible with Z87 boards OOTB?

Are Haswell Refresh CPUs compatible with Z87 boards OOTB?

I just purchased an Intel i7 4790k for my new build, that's the only part I've bought so far I'll be getting the rest over the next few days. I've looked at all the buying advice guides, and I see the Z87 boards are recommended as they run without a DSDT. The July CustoMac Pro even recommends I use a GA-Z87X-UD3H motherboard with my Intel i7 4790k.

It's obviously compatible, otherwise it wouldn't be on the list, but my concern really is around the BIOS update of the motherboard. For example, the Gigabyte supported CPUs list for this board says the Intel i7 4790k is compatible with the F9 BIOS update. So my questions are...

• Will a new board come with the F9 BIOS, or will I need to flash it myself?
  
• If I do need to flash it myself, does that mean I'll also need to buy another (cheap) older CPU to just to do the flashing? (I guess you can't flash the board without a CPU).

I appreciate any help you guys can give, thanks.

Same build config and same question. Could anyone answer please?

Yea anyone with a Z87 board and only Haswell Refresh CPU shed any light on this?

From looking at the web, the easiest method (assuming its not new stock and already updated to the latest BIOS) is to install the older Haswell CPU and update it first, then swap to the Haswell Refresh.

The cheapest method I would imagine would be to go to a store or find a mate with the Haswell CPU to have it done.

Failing that, request the board to be updated by the supplier you are buying from or see if you could request to have it sent to Gigabyte and ask them to update it for you?

Maybe there's an obvious fix, but this could certainly catch a lot of new builders out...

On the Gigabyte boards, unless the board is shipped with the latest bios you either have to have an older cpu available update the bios or insist your retailer ships the board with the specified bios.

On Asus boards it doesn't matter as long as it has USB Flashback which let's you flash by just applying power to the board, not booting the system.

kduvernay said:

On the Gigabyte boards, unless the board is shipped with the latest bios you either have to have an older cpu available update the bios or insist your retailer ships the board with the specified bios.

On Asus boards it doesn't matter as long as the has USB Flashback which let's you flash by just applying power to the board, not booting the system.

Click to expand...

Cheers kduvernay.

Shame the use of USB Flashback isn't standard across all motherboards. Very convenient feature in this instance!

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm having the board delivered either Saturday or Monday. I've also ordered a Celeron G1820 which are only £27 delivered on Amazon. I will try with the 4790k first, and see if it will boot the system, otherwise I'll use the old Celeron.

I'll let you know how it works.

r1ch4r6 said:

I just purchased an Intel i7 4790k for my new build, that's the only part I've bought so far I'll be getting the rest over the next few days. I've looked at all the buying advice guides, and I see the Z87 boards are recommended as they run without a DSDT. The July CustoMac Pro even recommends I use a GA-Z87X-UD3H motherboard with my Intel i7 4790k.

It's obviously compatible, otherwise it wouldn't be on the list, but my concern really is around the BIOS update of the motherboard. For example, the Gigabyte supported CPUs list for this board says the Intel i7 4790k is compatible with the F9 BIOS update. So my questions are...

• Will a new board come with the F9 BIOS, or will I need to flash it myself?
• If I do need to flash it myself, does that mean I'll also need to buy another (cheap) older CPU to just to do the flashing? (I guess you can't flash the board without a CPU).

I appreciate any help you guys can give, thanks.

Click to expand...

Gigabyte and Asus boards can be flashed without CPU or RAM installed using a USB. See your manual for the board you want to use on how to flash the BIOS.

Going Bald said:

Gigabyte and Asus boards can be flashed without CPU or RAM installed using a USB. See your manual for the board you want to use on how to flash the BIOS.

Click to expand...

Official word from Asus regarding Maximus VI and Devil's Canyon (backed up by numerous disgruntled customers on their forum) is you need an older CPU to update the Management Engine Software. This is a separate issue from just a bios update.

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthrea...with-Maximus-VI-Motherboards&country=&status=

Edit: oops just saw the update from yesterday on that thread....it is possible if you follow that note!

Going Bald said:

Gigabyte and Asus boards can be flashed without CPU or RAM installed using a USB. See your manual for the board you want to use on how to flash the BIOS.

Click to expand...

Well that's just marvellous

Going Bald said:

Gigabyte and Asus boards can be flashed without CPU or RAM installed using a USB. See your manual for the board you want to use on how to flash the BIOS.

Click to expand...

I looked at the manual for this board and I don't think it can - http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_ga-z87x-ud3h_e.pdf See page 89 for BIOS update guide.