Using a BIOS from a different MB to allow for PCIe expansion

[kapone32]

I have the X570 Unify and it is wired as a 16x8x8 on the board. The BIOS file does not allow access to lane splitting for any lane other than PCie1. The BIOS on the Godlike does allow for lane splitting on the 2nd x16 slot. Is it possible to use the BIOS file from the Godlike with the Unify?

 

[Bones]

Flashing a BIOS from a different board model, even if it's of the same make is risky, personally unless you actually can confirm it I'd leave it alone.

I know there are a few at least that can but all the ones I'm aware of are older board makes/models such as a DFI NFII Ultra Infinity running a LanParty NFII Ultra "B" BIOS as an example of it.
DFI also had a few that ran the same BIOS file such as the NF4 Ultra D, SLI-D and the SLI-DR.

However you can't assume they are close enough in design for this to work, if I'm not mistaken there are some real differences between the two models you named and I'd really do the research before you volunteer your board as the guinea pig for it.
That can get expensive on the spot to say the least of it.

While it's possible I stress possible, not that it actually would. I do know the Unify and ACE are very similar but even with that I'd still be very doubtful.
Personally, if I was the one thinking about this I'd either get someone that knows about BIOS mods look at and compare the two BIOS files to say, talk to someone at MSI or just leave it alone.
That's my take on it.

 

[TheLostSwede]

You are aware that this is a board design limitation right? It has nothing to do with the UEFI.

This is your board.

This is the Godlike.

Do you understand why it wouldn't work now?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Usins a BIOS from a different MB to allow for PCIe expansion

I can't remember ever hearing anyone even consider doing such a thing. It seems to me it would be like taking the primary electronic control module (main computer) out of a Cadillac Escalade and trying make it work with a Chevrolet Camaro. Yes, depending on the model, they use the same base engines but you can't just swap one for the other.

If you want to add that support to your computer, buy a new motherboard that provides it.

 

[Mr Bill]

It seems to me it would be like taking the primary electronic control module (main computer) out of a Cadillac Escalade and trying make it work with a Chevrolet Camaro. Yes, depending on the model, they use the same base engines but you can't just swap one for the other.

Maybe you're on to something here, I would love to have a Cadillac Camaro....

 

[Mr.Scott]

Hardware limitation like the Swede said. Can't be done.

 

[kapone32]

I totally get that the Godlike is a different board and to be honest it is not something I have ever thought of. The only reason I ask is because it means that MSI has struck again and gimped a board for no other reason than cost (make you pay).

The board is wired as 16x8x8 PCIe 4 so if it is wired as x8 so would not the 3rd slot (If set to Gen 3) be able to run a 2 slot Gen 3 add in card? I guess I am spoiled by Threadripper but I could not justify a 3960X to get TRX40.

I appreciate lane splitting and in an age of no crossfire (support), having a x8 slot that can only operate at x8 excludes add in Cards but the slap in the face is wiring a slot as x8 and limiting it's speed to X4.

 

[Mr.Scott]

MSI isn't the only manufacturer that does this. Pretty much all of them do. And yes, it's about money.

 

[Bones]

MSI isn't the only manufacturer that does this. Pretty much all of them do. And yes, it's about money.

Yep - You wanna play, you gotta pay.
And I can assure you it's not like you're the only one stuck with it.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I totally get that the Godlike is a different board and to be honest it is not something I have ever thought of. The only reason I ask is because it means that MSI has struck again and gimped a board for no other reason than cost (make you pay).

The board is wired as 16x8x8 PCIe 4 so if it is wired as x8 so would not the 3rd slot (If set to Gen 3) be able to run a 2 slot Gen 3 add in card? I guess I am spoiled by Threadripper but I could not justify a 3960X to get TRX40.

I appreciate lane splitting and in an age of no crossfire (support), having a x8 slot that can only operate at x8 excludes add in Cards but the slap in the face is wiring a slot as x8 and limiting it's speed to X4.

So no, you didn't understand squat of what I posted

PCIe 4.0 switches are still expensive and you need a lot of switches to do what you are asking for, so it's not gimping for the sake of gimping. On top of that, for most people that is not a good way of doing things.

You clearly also don't understand that Ryzen CPUs only have 16 lanes in total for PCIe slots, so you would end up with x8x4x4 on the Godlike if you used all switched slots.

 

[kapone32]

Yep - You wanna play, you gotta pay.
And I can assure you it's not like you're the only one stuck with it.

This to me is why Threadripper used to offer so much value. Even the most expensive TRX40 boards can be found for the same price as the Godlike here in Canada. If only AMD had released a 12 core TRX40 chip. They would already have had my money. It is because Ryzen 3000 is literally 60% faster than 2nd Gen Threadripper in most games that I even bought an X570. You don't realize it until you put really high end Graphics though. The mitigating factor for me is to wire the board (which cost more) as they did and then give it the BIOS PCIE akin to the Pro which is wired 16x4 but can do 4x4x4x4 on the PCIe 1 slot?

So no, you didn't understand squat of what I posted

PCIe 4.0 switches are still expensive and you need a lot of switches to do what you are asking for, so it's not gimping for the sake of gimping. On top of that, for most people that is not a good way of doing things.

You clearly also don't understand that Ryzen CPUs only have 16 lanes in total for PCIe slots, so you would end up with x8x4x4 on the Godlike if you used all switched slots.

The CPU has 20 and the chipset 16 (of which 4 go to CPU). I understand about switches I guess Asus must have done the same with the Prime Pro and AS Rock with the Taichi. I wonder if that is the difference between the Asus Strix B550E and XE?

 

[TheLostSwede]

This to me is why Threadripper used to offer so much value. Even the most expensive TRX40 boards can be found for the same price as the Godlike here in Canada. If only AMD had released a 12 core TRX40 chip. They would already have had my money. It is because Ryzen 3000 is literally 60% faster than 2nd Gen Threadripper in most games that I even bought an X570. You don't realize it until you put really high end Graphics though. The mitigating factor for me is to wire the board (which cost more) as they did and then give it the BIOS PCIE akin to the Pro which is wired 16x4 but can do 4x4x4x4 on the PCIe 1 slot?


The CPU has 20 and the chipset 16 (of which 4 go to CPU). I understand about switches I guess Asus must have done the same with the Prime Pro and AS Rock with the Taichi. I wonder if that is the difference between the Asus Strix B550E and XE?

No, the CPU has 24 lanes, as AMD added four for M.2 NVMe drives.

Besides, going via the chipset isn't an issue for crossfire, AMD has allowed that for years. SLI is dead and doesn't matter.

 

[qubit]

SLI is dead and doesn't matter.

But seriously, I went SLI in the 780 Ti era and while it worked, there was always some niggling issue.

 

[kapone32]

You are aware that this is a board design limitation right? It has nothing to do with the UEFI.

This is your board.

View attachment 188235
This is the Godlike.

View attachment 188236

Do you understand why it wouldn't work now?

I totally get it

No, the CPU has 24 lanes, as AMD added four for M.2 NVMe drives.

Besides, going via the chipset isn't an issue for crossfire, AMD has allowed that for years. SLI is dead and doesn't matter.

Ok sounds good I did a check and did find a scenario where I could make the 2nd slot work that way.

But seriously, I went SLI in the 780 Ti era and while it worked, there was always some niggling issue.

The last time I used SLI was GTS 450.