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mw-pfeddersheim-workstation/docs/tech/firmware-update-research.md
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ja 9494d1693b docs(tech): add firmware/BIOS update research for all workstation components 
- Researched 7 component categories for available firmware updates
- NVMe SSD (PM9A1): update available GXA7401Q -> GXA7802Q
- Motherboard BIOS F53 is current (no update needed)
- SATA SSD 840 EVO, GPU GTX 1050 Ti: EOL, no updates
- NIC/CPU microcode: managed via kernel/firmware packages
- USB peripherals: no LVFS/fwupd support
- Recommend installing fwupd for future firmware management
2026-04-02 09:49:00 +02:00

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---
description: >-
Firmware/BIOS update research for all workstation components.
Current vs latest versions, update methods, and risk assessment.
tags: [firmware, bios, update, research, tech, workstation]
last_updated: '2026-04-02'
---
# Firmware Update Research: mw-pfeddersheim-workstation
**Date**: 2026-04-02
**Purpose**: Research latest firmware/BIOS versions for all components and assess update needs.
## Summary
| Component | Current Version | Latest Version | Update? | Risk |
|-----------|----------------|----------------|---------|------|
| Motherboard BIOS | F53 (2025-10-28) | F53 | **No** | - |
| NVMe SSD (PM9A1) | GXA7401Q | **GXA7802Q** | **Yes** | Medium |
| SATA SSD (840 EVO) | EXT0BB6Q | EXT0BB6Q (EOL) | **No** | - |
| GPU VBIOS (GTX 1050 Ti) | 86.07.39.00.50 | 86.07.39.00.50 (EOL) | **No** | - |
| NIC (RTL8111) | rev 0c, r8168 driver | Kernel-integrated | Via kernel | Low |
| CPU Microcode | Kernel-integrated | Kernel-integrated | Via kernel | Low |
| USB Peripherals | Various | Various | **No** (no LVFS) | - |
**Actionable updates**: 1 (NVMe SSD firmware)
---
## Detailed Findings
### 1. Motherboard BIOS: Gigabyte AX370M-DS3H-CF
| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Current | F53, dated 2025-10-28 |
| Latest | F53 (no newer version found) |
| Source | [Gigabyte Support](https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/GA-AX370M-DS3H-rev-1x/support) |
**Status**: **Up to date.** F53 from October 2025 is the latest available. The AX370M-DS3H (rev 1.x) is an AM4 board from 2017 - F53 represents a remarkably long support timeline (8+ years). No further updates expected.
**Update method** (if future versions appear): Q-Flash (BIOS) or @BIOS (Windows/Linux utility).
---
### 2. NVMe SSD: Samsung PM9A1 (MZVL2512HCJQ-00B00)
| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Current | GXA7401Q |
| **Latest** | **GXA7802Q** |
| Source | [OVHCloud Firmware Guide](https://support.us.ovhcloud.com/hc/en-us/articles/22361371147923-Advance-Dedicated-Servers-Upgrading-Your-Samsung-NVMe-PM9A1-Firmware) |
**Status**: **Update available.** GXA7802Q is newer than GXA7401Q. Improves performance, stability, and security.
**Update procedure** (Linux, no Samsung Magician needed):
```bash
# 1. Install nvme-cli
sudo pacman -S nvme-cli
# 2. Verify current firmware
nvme list
# 3. Download firmware binary (OVHCloud mirror)
wget https://last-public-ovh-baremetal.snap.mirrors.ovh.us/hardware/PM9A1/GXA7802Q_Noformat.bin
# 4. Apply firmware (ensure NVMe is /dev/nvme0n1)
sudo nvme fw-download --fw=GXA7802Q_Noformat.bin /dev/nvme0n1
sudo nvme fw-activate --slot=0x1 --action=0x1 /dev/nvme0n1
# 5. Reboot to apply
sudo reboot
# 6. Verify after reboot
nvme list
```
**Risk**: Medium. NVMe firmware update can brick the drive if interrupted (power loss). Ensure UPS or stable power. The `_Noformat` variant preserves data.
**Recommendation**: Schedule during maintenance window. **Backup critical data first.**
---
### 3. SATA SSD: Samsung SSD 840 EVO 500GB
| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Current | EXT0BB6Q |
| Latest | EXT0BB6Q (EOL - no updates since ~2015) |
| Source | [Samsung Semiconductor Tools](https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/support/tools/) |
**Status**: **No update available.** The 840 EVO (released 2013) has reached end-of-life. EXT0BB6Q is the final firmware. No further updates will be released.
**Note**: This drive is 12+ years old. Consider monitoring health via `smartctl` and planning replacement if reliability degrades.
**If update were needed**: Samsung provides bootable ISO firmware utilities, but none exist beyond EXT0BB6Q for this model. Samsung Magician is Windows-only.
---
### 4. GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Current VBIOS | 86.07.39.00.50 |
| Latest VBIOS | 86.07.39.00.50 (EOL) |
| Current Driver | 575.64.05 |
| Latest Driver | ~580.81 (final for 10-series, end of 2025) |
| Source | [NVIDIA Drivers](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/) |
**Status**: **No VBIOS update available.** NVIDIA ended Game Ready driver support for GTX 10-series at end of 2025. No VBIOS updates have been released.
**Driver note**: Driver 575.64.05 may be close to or past the final supported version. Check `mhwd` or `pacman` for the latest NVIDIA 10-series driver available in Manjaro.
**Update method** (drivers only): `sudo pacman -Syu nvidia` or via Manjaro Hardware Detection (`mhwd`).
---
### 5. NIC: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 (rev 0c)
| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Current Driver | r8168 (proprietary) |
| Kernel Module | r8168, r8169 (alternative) |
| Firmware | rtl_nic/rtl8168h-2.fw (linux-firmware) |
| Source | linux-firmware.git (kernel.org) |
**Status**: **Managed via kernel/firmware packages.** No standalone firmware update needed. The NIC firmware blob is part of `linux-firmware` package.
**Update method**: Keep `linux-firmware` package updated via normal `pacman -Syu`.
**Note**: Currently using `r8168` (Realtek proprietary driver). The in-kernel `r8169` driver also supports this chip and may be preferable for simpler maintenance. Both are loaded as kernel modules.
---
### 6. CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X (Zen+ / Pinnacle Ridge)
| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Microcode | Kernel-integrated (ucode_amd.bin) |
| AGESA | Applied via BIOS (F53 includes latest for this board) |
| Source | linux-firmware.git, kernel.org |
**Status**: **Managed via kernel/BIOS.** AMD CPU microcode updates are delivered through:
1. **BIOS/UEFI** (AGESA updates) - already at F53 (latest)
2. **Linux kernel** (early microcode loading) - updated via `linux-firmware` package
**Verify current microcode**: `dmesg | grep microcode` after boot.
**Update method**: Keep kernel and `linux-firmware` packages updated.
---
### 7. USB Peripherals
| Device | USB ID | Firmware Update? | Method |
|--------|--------|------------------|--------|
| Jabra SPEAK 510 | 0b0e:0422 | Maybe | Jabra Xpress (Linux) |
| Genesys Logic microSD Reader | 05e3:0727 | No | N/A |
| Pixart Imaging Mouse | 093a:2510 | No | N/A |
| Microdia Terra HD1080PC Camera | 0c45:636b | No | N/A |
| CHERRY Mechanical Keyboard | 046a:00b0 | No | N/A |
**Status**: **No LVFS/fwupd support** for any of these devices.
**Jabra SPEAK 510**: Jabra Xpress (v49.0.1.2, Dec 2025) is available for Linux. Could check for firmware updates if audio issues exist. Download from [Jabra Support](https://www.jabra.com/supportpages/jabra-speak-510/7510-209).
**All others**: No firmware update mechanisms available. These are simple HID/USB devices with no user-serviceable firmware.
---
## fwupd Status
`fwupd` is **not installed** on this workstation.
**Recommendation**: Install fwupd for future firmware management via LVFS (Linux Vendor Firmware Service).
```bash
sudo pacman -S fwupd
sudo systemctl enable --now fwupd
fwupdmgr refresh
fwupdmgr get-devices
fwupdmgr get-updates
```
fwupd can manage UEFI firmware, some SSD firmware, and select USB devices through LVFS.
---
## Recommended Action Plan
### Immediate (Low Risk)
| # | Action | Command |
|---|--------|---------|
| 1 | Install fwupd | `sudo pacman -S fwupd` |
| 2 | Update linux-firmware | `sudo pacman -Syu linux-firmware` |
| 3 | Check NVIDIA driver version | `pacman -Q nvidia` |
### Scheduled (Medium Risk - Requires Maintenance Window)
| # | Action | Risk | Downtime |
|---|--------|------|----------|
| 4 | Update NVMe firmware to GXA7802Q | Medium (power loss risk) | ~5 min + reboot |
### No Action Needed
| Component | Reason |
|-----------|--------|
| Motherboard BIOS | Already at latest (F53) |
| SATA SSD | EOL, no updates available |
| GPU VBIOS | EOL, no updates available |
| CPU Microcode | Managed via kernel/firmware |
| NIC Firmware | Managed via kernel/firmware |
| USB Peripherals | No update mechanisms |
---
## Risk Assessment
### NVMe Firmware Update (GXA7401Q -> GXA7802Q)
| Risk | Mitigation |
|------|------------|
| Power loss during update = bricked drive | Use UPS, verify battery backup |
| Data corruption | Backup critical data first |
| Incompatibility | Verify model match (MZVL2512HCJQ-00B00) |
### General Considerations
- **Production workstation**: All firmware updates should be scheduled during non-critical hours.
- **Rollback**: BIOS has dual-BIOS; NVMe/SATA have no rollback mechanism.
- **Testing**: After any firmware update, run `smartctl -a` and `nvme smart-log` to verify health.
---
## References
- [Gigabyte GA-AX370M-DS3H Support](https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/GA-AX370M-DS3H-rev-1x/support)
- [OVHCloud PM9A1 Firmware Guide](https://support.us.ovhcloud.com/hc/en-us/articles/22361371147923)
- [Samsung SSD Firmware Tools](https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/support/tools/)
- [NVIDIA Drivers](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/)
- [Jabra Xpress for Linux](https://www.jabra.com/support/release-notes/release-note-jabra-xpress-for-linux)
- [linux-firmware.git](https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git)
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