If you’re in the process of prepping a build for the newest Ryzen2 CPUs, or have already bought some of your parts, namely the CPU and motherboard, then you’re in for a bit of good or bad news depending on what your situation is. The launch of the new 3rd gen processors has left a lot of PC gamers behind in terms of performance, but there’s a solution.
That’s because if you’re using an older B450 or X470 motherboard, AMD will send you a free boot kit to perform a BIOS update to your chosen motherboard. This will allow a rather outdated mobo to actually take advantage of the top-end of modern AMD CPUs. The kit also includes an AMD Athlon 200GE Processor and a cooler to use for purposes of the BIOS update. It is a loan, so you have to return the kit to AMD once you’ve updated your BIOS and installed the new Ryzen CPU.
Those wishing to receive a free boot kit should go to the AMD online warranty claims page (https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/warranty-information/rma-form), and go fill in their information. Be prepared to submit pictures of both your relevant motherboard and the new Ryzen2 CPU you wish to use. AMD needs proof of purchase before they’ll send you the kit.
Here are the details from AMD:
“Once you have submitted your claim for a processor loan boot kit, AMD will require pictures of your 3rd Gen Ryzen™ Desktop Processor and AMD Socket AM4 400 Series motherboard, which clearly shows the model numbers and unique serial numbers as well as a copy of the purchase invoice(s) to authorize the request. Additionally, a summary or copy of communication with the motherboard manufacturer is requested to indicate why support from the Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) is not suitable.
Once the RMA request is approved, the AMD Athlon 200GE processor will be sent with pre-paid return shipping. The processor is provided as a temporary loan to you for the sole purpose of updating the BIOS and must be returned within 10 business days of receipt. It is not necessary to return the provided thermal solution.”
Once you have all of that sorted, prepare to do some waiting. The new Ryzen2 CPUs are not yet available in all regions, and some gamers are reporting compatibility with hardware and some games. Some people are even claiming that the older X470 boards actually perform more reliably than the X570 variants. So if you’re concerned about that, you may want to wait a while before jumping onboard with the latest hardware.
