Update Uefi Bios ?

I am eager to update the motherboard bios to the latest version.
This is what I have:

• ASRock H87M microATX manufactured May 2013
• BIOS American Megatrends version P1.40 May 8, 2013
• CPU - Intel Haswell Core i3-4330 released September 2013

The latest BIOS version at the ASRock download site is 2.60 from February 2, 2016.
The Oldest BIOS version at the ASRock download site is 1.70 from July 10, 2013.

I do not have a copy of version P1.40. It is not on the CD that came with the motherboard.
BIOS ver. 2.10 from December 2013 lists Support New 4th Generation Intel Core Processors as one of the changes.

I read the instructions at the ASRock web site, downloaded the file, put the file on a FAT32 USB drive and unzipped the file.
I did a test run through the UEFI and it automatically recognized the usb drive and the update file.

Does it matter whether I use a usb 2.0 or usb 3.0 slot? Both are on the front panel.

Can I get some comments or suggestions before I proceed ?
Thanks.

 

Unless there is a problem on that system that a BIOS update would correct, it's not such a good idea to update it. BIOS updates are known to create real problems.
No it doesn't matter which USB port you use.

 

Are you planning on upgrading the processor? If not, then I agree to just leave the current BIOS version. It is important to note that BIOS firmware does not suddenly go bad. There is no need to upgrade just because a new one is out there. And even if a new one is there and addresses some issue that affects you, you should not be "eager to update". While problems updating are rare these days, if there is a problem, it can be catastrophic to point of bricking your motherboard completely.

I only update the BIOS if it addresses an issue I am having with a brand new board, adds support for new hardware that came out after the board left the factory, or addresses a security issue (very rare). Otherwise, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

 

I agree totally with Max's and Bill's comments. Unless you have a problem, let the BIOS alone.

So far I've owned 16 computers. Of those, I've updated the BIOS twice. Once because the manufacturer told me to do so. (It was a ME computer and in order to upgrade, I had to follow directions sent by the manufacturer). The other time was to solve a major issue. When I tried to install Windows 2000, the display went black. A BIOS update for that issue (the BIOS updates have/had text files so you read what problems the BIOS solves). I read the available text files and found the BIOS that solved the black screen issue.

 

Thanks for the replies.

No, I'm not planning to upgrade the CPU.

Since the BIOS and board were released about six months before Haswell, I thought the update might provide some enhancements for those chips.

Maybe the new added 4th generation support was for Haswell Refresh processors and not the first line released.
I thought this would be a way to do some free enhancement.

Finding another H87 board would be difficult, replacing a dead board would be a lot of trouble and my Windows version is OEM. Maybe it's the obsessive compulsive part of me that really wants to do this.

@plodr
You've told that little story before, so I already had a pretty good idea of how you felt about it.

I'd like to build a new computer but I can't justify the expense.
That doesn't keep me from shopping.