Urgent! Is a BIOS Update Required?

CRay154

Dear, All!

Hope you are all well.

I have brought my 'new' cpu, an intel i7 - 3370 for the purpose of replacing my ageing second generation i3 cpu.

I have BIOS version POI - A4 on my PackardBell onetwo computer. I have checked the compatability and the i7 will fit in the LGA 1155 socket.

The only problem is, do I need to upgrade my BIOS version for this cpu replacement?

If so, which version do I have to upgrade it to to be compatible with the intel i7 - 3370?

I checked the back of my PackardBell onetwo L5861, and it says that it is an Acer Group product.

I checked the Packardbell website for any BIOS updates, and there was only one availbale for an earlier version.

I then checked the motherboards manufacturer to see if I can download a BIOS update from them. Unfortunately, the motherboards manufacturer is Packardbell too!

Since Packardbell is a part of Acer now, please can you help me.

1) Does an intel upgrade from i3 - 2100 to i7 3370 really require a BIOS upgrade? (BIOS Version POI- A4, Release Date: 03/08/2011)

2) Where can I access a BIOS update for my PackardBell onetwo?

3) Who is the manufacturer of the packardbell motherboards? Is it Acer?

Any further information would be greately appreciated!

Thanking you,

X3960

Judging by the fact you haven't answered anymore... i'm thinking you haven't figured it out and just bought a new motherboard. I'm in the exact same position. Bought the same CPU. But the PC won't start obviously because the BIOS doesn't support ivy bridge, while officialy Intel's information says this H67 motherboard should support it.

I'm thinking there never was a BIOS update anymore. Or maybe for another motherboard that is very identical but has another name...

billsey

In general, jumping generations will not work even with a BIOS update. If your motherboard was designed around the 2nd gen chipset, putting a 3rd gen CPU in will fail. Sometimes, rarely, Acer will design a motherboard for both generations, but that is very unusual… More often than not, Intel themselves don't support it either.

AnhEZ28

@CRay154 choose all instead of the lastest tab on the right-hand side. P01.A4 is the latest BIOS version. The B3 might be for different motherboard revisions. https://www.packardbell.com/pb/en/GB/content/download. You can try to use Acer updater to see if it gets a new bios for you. Or use CPU-Z to check for the chipset name and search for the compatible CPU. 
Since you already have bought the CPU, it is worth trying to upgrade it.

CRay154

Dear, @AnhEZ28!

Thankyou so much for your help and suppourt; it is much apppreciated.

I selected all and I was presented 2 BIOS updates:

1.

P01.A4

3.2 MB

2011/04/13

(My version is also a PO1.A4, but mine has a slightly later release date of 03/08/2011)

2. 

P01.B3

2.1 MB

2011/08/22. (This one is just 19 days more later then my current version)

Is the second one a valid BIOS update, or as you mentioned, is it for a different motherboard altogether?

The main problem is, I seached online to see which is the best CPU that can fit in the LGA 1155 socket, so I bought the i7-3370 to replace my i3-2100.

Then, after receiving it, I read all about BIOS issues, etc. and I am now wondering whether my computer (with BIOS version PO1.A4) will accept the new CPU?

Thats only my real concern

I tried to download acer updater, but it would not let me download it, even after I tried with another browser.

Any help and information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you,

Have a great day!

AnhEZ28

@CRay154
It might be for another motherboard. 
https://global-download.packardbell.com/GDFiles/Application/Application/Application_Acer_1.02.3502_W7x86W7x64_A.zip?acerid=634698959199582896&Step1=DESKTOP&Step2=ONETWO&Step3=ONETWO (PW.U6C)&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=PACKARD BELL&SC=EMEA_27P 
Can you try this link here?

CRay154

Dear @AnhEZ28

Thankyou for the link. I will try it out

X3960

Judging by the fact you haven't answered anymore... i'm thinking you haven't figured it out and just bought a new motherboard. I'm in the exact same position. Bought the same CPU. But the PC won't start obviously because the BIOS doesn't support ivy bridge, while officialy Intel's information says this H67 motherboard should support it.

I'm thinking there never was a BIOS update anymore. Or maybe for another motherboard that is very identical but has another name...

billsey

In general, jumping generations will not work even with a BIOS update. If your motherboard was designed around the 2nd gen chipset, putting a 3rd gen CPU in will fail. Sometimes, rarely, Acer will design a motherboard for both generations, but that is very unusual… More often than not, Intel themselves don't support it either.

CRay154

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1299324#Comment_1299324

Haha. I traded in my i7-3700 for an i7-2600K which solved the problem. A pretty darn good cpu it is too !