Maybe a basic level question for this list, but I didn't see it in the history so here goes.

My original AMD B450 MSI bios is 7B86vH0 (I am running a R5 3600) dated 2019-07-01 but the most recent is 7B86vHK dated 2023-10-26.

Does it matter which bios version I use? Should I use the latest or stick with what came with the motherboard? Is it important to use only the one listed for my cpu? Bios 7B86vH0 is listed for all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen cpus of Ryzen 3,5,7,and 9. 7B86vHK and others are listed for cpus such as Ryzen 5-5500 or Ryzen 7-5700X.

MSI care shows Ryzen 5 Matisse 3600 100 3.6GHz 3MB 32MB B0 65 N/A 7B86vH0.zip
Pangoly listing says "since" 7B86vH0.
Does that mean that any bios "since" 7B86vH0 is ok to use with the Ryzen 5 3600?
Thanks!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If a firmware update goes sideways, you brick your machine. Is it worth the chance?

I tend to agree that unless the errata said it fixed some issue you have then don't.

If you put new hardware in then you might consider updating. Some bios updates don't go as planned.

Then again ...
Read this current thread. I tend to irregularly check for new firmware updates. Typically I apply them. Each to their own.

grub update once bricked my system, BIOS update fixed it. Some UEFI certificate revocation or expiry or something, as I understand. Could be avoided if I kept my BIOS up to date. Just saying. And yes, to my knowledge CPU support is never removed from newer versions - since and forever.

when you buy a new CPU you can check which firmware supports it. So sometimes you need to upgrade, otherwise already explained.

One advantage to upgrading firmware (bios) is that the newer version will usually contain newer keys for secure boot, etc. Older versions only have the ones that were available when the bios was released. This may or may not be of concern for the user.

Personally, I always update when newer is available.

This is a thread that has every answer correct.

Whether or not...

When considering updating a BIOS or not, a look at the BIOS page for the description of and the reason for the revised version can give an idea as to the advisability in your case of doing an update.

I tend to trust the motherboard manufacturer to update a BIOS as is needed for some functionality, and I consider if it seem relevant for my system, but I tend to wait a bit before updating to the latest version.

As to which BIOS version to use, post the exact model and revision of your MSI motherboard.

I also trust myself to read and understand the instructions to follow for a successful update. Here too a backup of the installed BIOS, if the motherboard allows such, is a step to be taken for the wise and the careful.

OK THE BOARD IS THE MSI B450 GAMING PLUS MAX MS 7B86 ver 3.0 bought in 2019
if that helps thanks. I'll prolly go ahead choose the original BIOS for now. There are changes later
for better recognition of RAM and security updates that I might want too.
I appreciate all the wisdom here. Very thoughtful replies!

Allewyn,

The latest AMI BIOS for your board is 7B86vHK dated 2023-10-26.

The one prior to this is AMI BIOS 7B86vHJ dated 2023-08-17.

Most people select the most recent BIOS version.

I tend to select the one immediately before, just in case there is a problem with the latest version or it is perhaps a beta version.

The choice is yours.

MSI makes it very easy and safe to update a BIOS if the board, like yours, uses M-FLASH:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKMub20CUNI