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The AM5 BIOS update is the latest round of firmware for AMD’s AM5 platform, and it brings better memory support, new CPU compatibility and stability fixes that every AM5 owner should know about. If you own an AM5 board, this update is worth your time.
What is the AM5 BIOS update?
The BIOS is the software that runs your motherboard, and AMD and the board makers release new versions of it regularly. Each AM5 BIOS update adds support for new chips, fixes bugs and improves how the board handles memory and power. The latest round is one of the bigger ones: it adds support for newer Ryzen 9000 chips, improves DDR5 memory compatibility and tightens up stability. If you have not updated your BIOS since you built the PC, you are probably several versions behind. Our best CPU and motherboard combos guide lists the AM5 pairs that work best, and our how to check CPU compatibility guide helps you verify the board and the chip before you buy.
What the latest update brings
Three things matter in this update. First, support for newer chips: the latest BIOS versions add support for the newest Ryzen 9000 models, including the Ryzen 9 9950X and the Ryzen 9 9900X — and if you are thinking of upgrading to one of those, the BIOS update comes first. Second, better memory support: faster DDR5 kits work more reliably, and the board is better at running memory at its rated speed. Third, stability: the usual round of fixes for rare crashes and boot issues. Our Intel 14th Gen stability update news shows that Intel is doing the same thing on their side — both companies are fixing the same class of problem.
Who should update
You should update if you are buying a new AM5 chip, if your memory is not running at its rated speed, or if your PC has any stability issues. You should also update if you are building a new AM5 PC — the board may have shipped with an old BIOS that does not support the chip you bought. If your PC is working perfectly and you are not changing anything, you can update or not; a BIOS update is low risk, but there is no need to fix what is not broken. Our Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 5 7500F guides cover the budget AM5 chips that benefit most from the memory fixes.
How to update your AM5 BIOS
- Find your board model. Check the box, the manual or the board itself — you need the exact model.
- Download the right BIOS. Get it from your motherboard maker’s website, and make sure it matches your exact board — the wrong BIOS can brick it.
- Update from the BIOS. Most AM5 boards let you flash from a USB stick in the BIOS, which is the safest way.
- Do not interrupt it. Do not turn the PC off during the update, and do not update during a storm.
- Reset to defaults first. If you overclocked, load the defaults before the update, then re-apply your settings after — see our how to overclock AMD Ryzen CPUs guide.
AM5 vs AM4: the upgrade question
If you are still on AM4, the AM5 BIOS updates are a reminder of what you are missing — but AM4 is still a good platform. Our best budget AM4 CPU guide shows that AM4 is still the cheapest way to a fast PC, and the Ryzen 5 5600X is still a great chip. If you are building new, buy AM5; if you already have AM4, there is no rush to switch.
The bottom line
The AM5 BIOS update brings new chip support, better memory and more stability — update it if you are changing chips or fixing a problem, and check it every few months. Browse our CPU news for the latest updates, and our AMD CPU guides for more on AMD’s lineup.
