Whether you enjoy online gaming or simply use your computer for work-related purposes, of course you want to keep it running as quickly and smoothly as possible. A big part of optimizing your computer’s performance is installing updates and making upgrades as they become available.
One part of a computer that many people don’t realize they can update is its BIOS. By better understanding what a computer’s BIOS is and what to consider when updating it, you can make a better-informed decision.
What is BIOS on a Computer?
Specifically, BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. This system is stored on every computer’s motherboard and is the very first system to run as soon as you turn your computer on. This chip plays an important role not only in powering your computer but in protecting it against security threats as well.
Should You Update Your Computer’s BIOS?
A few years back, many motherboard manufacturers introduced a replacement for “traditional” BIOS chips. Today, every motherboard manufactured has the new version of this BIOS chip known as Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). Ever since the roll-out of this new chip, motherboard manufacturers have also been making more firmware updates available for users to download. These updates can do anything from improving security to addressing bugs in existing hardware or software.
Still, how can you decide whether updating your computer’s BIOS is the right decision? Ultimately, it really depends on how old your motherboard is, what your computer’s current performance looks like, and how comfortable you are with carrying out this type of update. In general, however, you don’t need to update your BIOS unless you’re having problems with your current chip that could be addressed or fixed with an update. You may also want to update your BIOS if you have a newer motherboard that may still have some “bugs” to work out.
Methods for Updating BIOS
If you decide to update your motherboard BIOS, start by finding your current version in your System Information settings. From there, you’ll want to compare it to the latest version available to see if you are eligible to update. If so, you will need to enter your computer’s BIOS by pressing the designated key while booting up your computer (this will be specific to your computer/motherboard, so check your owner’s manual) and follow the instructions from there.
NVIDIA also offers a helpful tutorial for updating your motherboard BIOS using a USB flash drive, if you would prefer to go this route instead.
Time to Upgrade to a Dedicated Server, Too?
Whenever you’re making updates to your computer, it’s a good idea to consider your current hosting plan and how well it’s working for your needs. If you’re already upgrading your computer, now may also be a good idea to upgrade your hosting plan to a dedicated server. A dedicated hosting plan can provide you with the speed, performance, reliability, and security that other types of hosting simply cannot.
To learn more about a dedicated server upgrade or to explore hosting options available through ReliableSite, contact our team today.