When do you flash the new bios on a new mobo?

[Losse]

If i just bought a new mobo and am going to build a PC, at what phase should i flash the new bios. Like before or after the HD is installed?  and the OS?  Or does it matter?

[Lucky23]

You should only need to do it if the processor you decide to use isn't supported by the current bios that comes w/ the board. You might have to do it again if you upgrade processors down the road.

I originally used a E6550 when i first built my comp and the bios that came on my board supported that processor so i didnt flash mine until (2 yrs later)  about a month ago so i could run a higher end cpu.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I pretty much agree with what Lucky has said there. A BIOS update only needs to be done if you are having some problem with your motherboard that is addressed by a newer version. Also always use QFlash not @BIOIS for safety reasons. 

[Losse]

Aight, so i should look over the bios notes and decide?

Does the bios really only affect the CPU?  What about other components or integration with new hardware that comes out after the mobo like ram, vid cards, etc.

[Dark Mantis]

The BIOS acts like an interpreter between the hardware and the software as it starts loading also it keeps all the settings of how the harware is to be configured. So the BIOS certainly has more than just an effect on the CPU.
As a general rule if you need to update the BIOS for some reason just find the latest version and flash with that one. Make sure that you use QFlash for the update not @BIOS.