X370 BIOS upgrade / Windows 11 upgrade prep

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   With Windows 11 looming ever closer I am investigating to see if my PC meets the upgrade requirements.  Running a compatibility check tool the only requirements I did not meet were 1: CPU (Ryzen 7 1800X in an ASRock X370 Killer SLI) and 2: no TPM.  After a long search I discovered that fTPM was on my CPU, I just needed to enable it in UEFI.

After checking around I decided I want to upgrade my CPU to AMD Ryzen 7 3700X.  My BIOS version is so old (P1.60)it is not even listed on the X370 BIOS page.  The 3700X requires BIOS v. P5.40.

It looks like I can't upgrade from 1.6 to 5.40 or higher directly, I need to follow an upgrade path.  From what I am able to tell that path is:

P1.60 (current)
P3.50
P5.10
P5.40 (Required for new CPU)
P6.00 (Latest, optional)

My questions are is my research correct and if so is this the best upgrade path?  Also will the Ryzen 7 3700X be able to use my existing RAM (DD4-1200, 16GBx4)?

Thank you.

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grogo67 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Aug 2021 Status: Offline Points: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote grogo67 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: X370 BIOS upgrade / Windows 11 upgrade prep Posted: 28 Aug 2021 at 8:30pm
	With Windows 11 looming ever closer I am investigating to see if my PC meets the upgrade requirements. Running a compatibility check tool the only requirements I did not meet were 1: CPU (Ryzen 7 1800X in an ASRock X370 Killer SLI) and 2: no TPM. After a long search I discovered that fTPM was on my CPU, I just needed to enable it in UEFI. After checking around I decided I want to upgrade my CPU to AMD Ryzen 7 3700X. My BIOS version is so old (P1.60)it is not even listed on the X370 BIOS page. The 3700X requires BIOS v. P5.40. It looks like I can't upgrade from 1.6 to 5.40 or higher directly, I need to follow an upgrade path. From what I am able to tell that path is: P1.60 (current) P3.50 P5.10 P5.40 (Required for new CPU) P6.00 (Latest, optional) My questions are is my research correct and if so is this the best upgrade path? Also will the Ryzen 7 3700X be able to use my existing RAM (DD4-1200, 16GBx4)? Thank you.

Khun_Doug Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2020 Location: Poconos PA Status: Offline Points: 1025	Post Options Post Reply Quote Khun_Doug Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Aug 2021 at 5:33am
	If the RAM was qualified (and working) before the CPU upgrade, it will work with the new CPU. You many encounter an XMP issue with speed. If you have memory errors, you can manually dial-in the memory speed after you get a stable PC. That memory is slow compared to what is generally available today. You may want to upgrade the RAM, and using the Memory QVL as a guide. As for Windows 11, it seems Microsoft is having a change of heart regarding the CPU specs. Still, you probably will be happier with a newer and faster CPU. You will need to follow the Asrock upgrade instructions for BIOS changes. They make those upgrade paths for a reason.