Asus website BIOS files all the same (USA, Global, Europe, etc.)?

[jdjones]

I ordered a new system yesterday and was wanting to prepare by downloading all the updated drivers and such. Well anyway, I cannot get the "USA" version of the bios or the audio driver to download from the Asus site. The server keeps timing out. I haven't tried at ALL hours of the night just yet, but my main question is whether or not the other listed versions (Global, Europe, China, Japan) are identical files and just in different physical locations or are indeed actually different versions corresponding to various products sold in these regions. The other links work just fine (if a little slow), so I would like to just use these instead. The file names are identical, but I wanted to be sure before I proceed. Thanks!

[flanzig1]

I believe the global site has the downloads in English.

[glc]

What makes you think you will need to update the bios?

[jdjones]

I have been reading a lot of material and have come across several references to the effect that you should update the bios before you install anything. It is common for the motherboards not to have the latest version installed, correct? In any case, I may want to at some point in the future and was just wondering if I could download the correct version from any of the links (Global, Europe, Japan, China) on the Asus site since the 'USA' one never seems to be working. It seems ok since the same files (including English manuals) are available on them and the file names are identical, but like I said, I just want to be sure.

[Panama Red]

You only need the latest bios version if you need the the features or corrections that the new bios would provide. Commonly update for cpu support or to cure a known bug but "if it ain't broke don't fix it" is still the best advice.

When the USA site doesn't download just use the Gloabal site. None of the Asus sites are very fast.