Need to update BIOS?

[Crank]

Hi,
I've been reading a lot about people who are able to wring extra performance out of their computers by doing things like overclocking the AGP port and the voltage sent to the video card.
My BIOS doesn't have any of these settings - is there any other way to change this stuff?
For now my computer is working fine, but it's a PII/400, so I'll probably have to do some overclocking w/in the next 6 months or so, I think.
Thanks.

 

[DisposableHero]

I am using my overclocked 400 right now... i can only get it at 4.5x 102 .. isnt stable at anything else.. updating ur bio may help stabability .. im not sure

 

[sohcrates]

there's a CHANCE that if you update the bios (and can even FIND an update) that the new bios will add new abilities that will help in overlocking

but for an older mobo like yours, i would highly doubt it. still, if you CAN find an update and your up for playing around, updating the bios is a good idea.

 

[bacillus]

<< updating the bios is a good idea. >>


be aware that if something goes wrong during the flash, you may be left with an unusable board!

 

[Jhhnn]

Not likely that flashing the bios will improve your situation. Boards with overclocking features generally have them in the first place. Updates are used to allow for newer processors and as bugfixes.

Although some guys flash their bios like most of us change our socks, it is not without risk. I'm only the first to say not to to it unless you need to, to obtain some additional known functionality.

Remember this just in case you go ahead and your machine dies: Badflash.com. Even they won't be able to help if your chip is soldered to the board rather than socketed....

 

[Crank]

Jhnnn - thanks for the tip.
I don't plan on flashing or even overclocking anything until I need to. So far the GeForce2 is running Tribes2 well....well, the problems with the game aren't the video card's fault anyway
Thanks to everyone else who replied too - Anandtech is a great place.