[SacraficeMyGoat]

If this is the master, the easiest way to control BIOS flashing is just put the board into single BIOS mode and use the dip switch to select which is active/flash to whatever version you want to main/backup.

Not really a best method, some people swear by using QFlash+ (Flashback on ASUS, etc.) but I have had issues getting it to work on this board. I just end up going into the BIOS itself and using QFlash from there, easy enough.

As for drivers Gigabyte like most vendors seems to post whatever drivers they tested at the time, and generally do not keep those up to date, best to grab chipset drivers directly from AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support/chipsets/amd-socket-am4/x570. Same for bluetooth/network/etc. from their respective vendors.

Board revision doesn't matter, since the hardware is the same from a driver perspective.

I'm currently on single BIOS mode (haven't messed with the switches since receiving the board.) So I assume i'm on the "first" BIOS. No idea how to use Qflash so I don't really wanna go that route. Should I just download the BIOS file from the Gigabyte website and run it?

As for the chipset, since I have the gigabyte ones installed now, can I just install the AMD chipset drivers over the existing ones?

 

[Disassociative]

F20a still seems to be giving me issues with sleep mode. The computer will go to sleep totally fine but upon trying to wake it the system will turn back on for a few seconds then just turn off again and if i press the power button after that to turn it back on again it'll act as if it has been turned off completely. Disabling hybrid sleep seems to resolve it, but it appeared to be totally fine on F11 and I prefer to have that enabled if possible. It's only been an issue for me on the F12 betas and now F20.

 

[betam4x]

i guess the svm bug is causing the performance drops some you have.

with svm on and hyper-v running, your bclk drops by a few percent points, and so does your overall performance.

Few percentage points? It drops by less than 1% unless you tend to overclock your bclk (like me). That being said, I was busy today and haven't had a chance to look into whether svm can be disabled or not. I may check it before I go to bed in the next couple of minutes, just trying to fire off a few emails.

 

[dansi]

Yes i have random bsod problem with sleep so i disable it.
With ssd and with cool 'n' quiet, sleep is not worth the headaches

 

[dansi]

Few percentage points? It drops by less than 1% unless you tend to overclock your bclk (like me). That being said, I was busy today and haven't had a chance to look into whether svm can be disabled or not. I may check it before I go to bed in the next couple of minutes, just trying to fire off a few emails.

i seen blck go as low as 98% with svm
every boot seems to give a different bclk

 

[ManniX-ITA]

Hey guys, few questions for you.

1)Wondering if I should update to F20a from F11 (i'll just be using XMP @ 3600 and maybe enable PBO, nothing else.) I've been having random crashes that I haven't been able to sort (replacement CPU and new set of memory came in today, so i'm going to swap the CPU out.) Will hold off on replacing the memory for now as I have no idea what is causing the crash since I can't replicate it and they're so random.

2) How can I download F11 BIOS on my 2nd BIOS chip and the new BIOS on my 1st chip? That way if there are any issues, I can just go back to F11.

3) What's the best method for upgrading the BIOS (just download the file and run?) Any steps/precautions I need to take?

4) I'm currently using the Gigabyte chipset drivers, is it better to use the AMD drivers? If so, can I just download them over the current chipset drivers?

5) I have v1.1 of the motherboard, do I need to download the drivers/BIOS from the v1.1 page or are they the same as v1.0? I hadn't realized this when I first built my system and downloaded the v1.0 BIOS/drivers, so I don't think it's an issue, but want to make sure.


Sorry, I know I have TONS of questions, but i'm just trying to make sure I do everything right..

1) The F12 beta versions are for sure much more reliable. Unless you can't find a solution I'd skip F20a, just consider it last resort.

2) Disable Dual BIOS from the switch on the board

3) Best method is on a USB stick and use Q-Flash from BIOS itself, quick and reliable

4) Better you update to the latest from AMD

5) Except BIOS, same stuff

F20a still seems to be giving me issues with sleep mode. The computer will go to sleep totally fine but upon trying to wake it the system will turn back on for a few seconds then just turn off again and if i press the power button after that to turn it back on again it'll act as if it has been turned off completely. Disabling hybrid sleep seems to resolve it, but it appeared to be totally fine on F11 and I prefer to have that enabled if possible. It's only been an issue for me on the F12 betas and now F20.

Yes i have random bsod problem with sleep so i disable it.
With ssd and with cool 'n' quiet, sleep is not worth the headaches

It works without Hybrid for me, also on F20a.
Never been able to make it 100% reliable with Hybrid even with F11.
It's just a few watts more power consumption but more reliable and quicker to resume. I'd go without.

i seen blck go as low as 98% with svm
every boot seems to give a different bclk

Spread spectrum is adaptive.
It doesn't usually go below 99.6; you have some strong EMI noise around the board.

 

[SacraficeMyGoat]

1) The F12 beta versions are for sure much more reliable. Unless you can't find a solution I'd skip F20a, just consider it last resort.

2) Disable Dual BIOS from the switch on the board

3) Best method is on a USB stick and use Q-Flash from BIOS itself, quick and reliable

4) Better you update to the latest from AMD

5) Except BIOS, same stuff





It works without Hybrid for me, also on F20a.
Never been able to make it 100% reliable with Hybrid even with F11.
It's just a few watts more power consumption but more reliable and quicker to resume. I'd go without.



Spread spectrum is adaptive.
It doesn't usually go below 99.6; you have some strong EMI noise around the board.

Okay, i'll try F12a first, thank you!

Do I need to format the USB before putting the BIOS on it, or can I use one with data on it? After the BIOS is on the flash drive, I just enter the BIOS and press the QFlash button on the back?

Also, my replacement 3700x came today so i'll be installing that tomorrow. Will I need to download the drivers again or?

 

[aveamurechi]

The USB flash drive needs to be FAT32, so you probably have to format it. UEFI can only read up to FAT32, it's unaware about more advanced filesystems.

 

[SacraficeMyGoat]

The USB flash drive needs to be FAT32, so you probably have to format it. UEFI can only read up to FAT32, it's unaware about more advanced filesystems.

Thank you! I just downloaded the AMD x570 chipset drivers; previously had the Gigabyte one.

Will download the BIOS tomorrow.

 

[ryouiki]

I'm currently on single BIOS mode (haven't messed with the switches since receiving the board.) So I assume i'm on the "first" BIOS. No idea how to use Qflash so I don't really wanna go that route. Should I just download the BIOS file from the Gigabyte website and run it?

As for the chipset, since I have the gigabyte ones installed now, can I just install the AMD chipset drivers over the existing ones?

I suspect the default dip switch configuration is Dual BIOS, both of my boards came that way... so you would have to change that to single BIOS mode. After that you will have to put the BIOS file on a USB drive (probably FAT32 required, I don't think it supports exFAT), enter the BIOS, press F2 for Advanced Mode (if not already default), and then System Information -> QFlash. I tend to put the last "good" BIOS (F12G in my case) on the backup, copy a profile from the main to the backup, and then flash the main with a new revision.

Re: Chipset drivers, pretty sure they are just using a really old revision of the AMD package so it should just install directly.

I personally don't have any problems with F12G or F20A (minus SVM mode being broken, which I would have turned on anyway). I would stay away from the non-public BIOS files personally, you certainly aren't going to get any support from Gigabyte if something goes wrong.

 

[n4p0l3onic]

so for average joes, what's the difference between f20 bios and previous bioses? I mean is there any performance gain? is the new agesa better? or just don't bother if the pc is running fine?

 

[superleeds27]

Finally have a set of fan curves im happy with.

Idle - 31-39c
Opening a Program - Boosts to 49-51c
General Browsing - 40-50c

Took a few days to get there but here we are. Saved screenshots of these too for future reference!

 

[Disassociative]

so for average joes, what's the difference between f20 bios and previous bioses? I mean is there any performance gain? is the new agesa better? or just don't bother if the pc is running fine?

I seem to hit slightly higher single threaded boosts on more cores a little more often but all benchmarks seem to perform about the same. I’d say unless you’re getting an XT CPU or have an issue that a BIOS update might fix the average user is usually fine leaving it as is.

 

[snabbledabble]

Finally have a set of fan curves im happy with.

Idle - 31-39c
Opening a Program - Boosts to 49-51c
General Browsing - 40-50c

Took a few days to get there but here we are. Saved screenshots of these too for future reference!

What cpu cooler are you using for these fan curves?

 

[superleeds27]

What cpu cooler are you using for these fan curves?

The original Ben Nevis.

https://www.alpenfoehn.de/en/products/cpu-cooler/bennevis

With the Noctua NT-H2 Thermal Paste.

 

[MikeS3000]

Is EDC in PBO fixed on F20a? On 1.0.0.4 BIOSes you either had to set EDC to 0 (triggers factory default setting) or use the low EDC bug to get meaningful performance gains. Anything set above factory defaults such as maxing out EDC would cause a drop in performance. Is this fixed?

 

[snabbledabble]

The original Ben Nevis.

https://www.alpenfoehn.de/en/products/cpu-cooler/bennevis

With the Noctua NT-H2 Thermal Paste.

Thanks for the reply. Do you think these curves would work on a nh-d15?

 

[ManniX-ITA]

Okay, i'll try F12a first, thank you!

Do I need to format the USB before putting the BIOS on it, or can I use one with data on it? After the BIOS is on the flash drive, I just enter the BIOS and press the QFlash button on the back?

Also, my replacement 3700x came today so i'll be installing that tomorrow. Will I need to download the drivers again or?

You can just enter the BIOS and go to the Q-Flash section to flash it; the key shortcut is F8, look at the bottom right corner.

As said earlier format it with FAT32 file-system.

I switched back to F12a, unusable for me F20a.
All sort of issues; clock going back up to 10 hours rebooting, memory training issues, performances going down without any reason, BIOS profile resets, boot failures with 07 code, etc...
It's a disaster, only out for the fancy XT press release, what a shame.

Now I'm trying to understand why suddenly my Windows install can't go above SMU 115W and PPT 112W.
No reason at all, wasn't doing it before. No clue... banging my head but I really have no idea.
Tried uninstalling the Chipset drivers and reinstalling, didn't help.
Not linked to the power saving profile either. Ouch

 

[superleeds27]

Thanks for the reply. Do you think these curves would work on a nh-d15?

You'd have to try them for yourself.

I have two intake fans and an exhaust fan, all the same make/model (Arctic P14's)

Sat in a Fractal Define R5 case.

I prefer silence over lower temps, to some extent obviously!


Opening a program is the only issue i have as the temp boosts a good 15c, most I've seen it boost is from 39c to 54c. With a drop back to low 40's after a second or so.

The latest BIOS for me increased the temps 1/2c but that's fine, as I was previously on the old AGESA 1.0.0.3 ABBA.

 

[superleeds27]

You can just enter the BIOS and go to the Q-Flash section to flash it; the key shortcut is F8, look at the bottom right corner.

As said earlier format it with FAT32 file-system.

I switched back to F12a, unusable for me F20a.
All sort of issues; clock going back up to 10 hours rebooting, memory training issues, performances going down without any reason, BIOS profile resets, boot failures with 07 code, etc...
It's a disaster, only out for the fancy XT press release, what a shame.

Now I'm trying to understand why suddenly my Windows install can't go above SMU 115W and PPT 112W.
No reason at all, wasn't doing it before. No clue... banging my head but I really have no idea.
Tried uninstalling the Chipset drivers and reinstalling, didn't help.
Not linked to the power saving profile either. Ouch

Surprised they've been pushed onto the live site really if there's noticeable issues.