New build enabling UEFI confusion

Hi hoping I can get some info on setting up my new build to use the UEFI BIOS at boot. If anyone is currently using UEFI I would appreciate any info, links, advice or perils to avoid.


Apologies for the long post but please respond if you can help.


First the new hardware specs

• CPU: Intel 5930K Core i7 5930K
• Motheboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 Rev 1.0
• Ram: Crucial 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 2133MHz
• GPU: 2 x Gigabyte GTX 980 G1 Gaming in SLI
• PSU: Corsair AX860i ATX Power Supply,80 PLUS Platinum
• Primary HDD: Samsung SSD 840 Pro 256GB
• Secondary HDD (Programs): Samsung SSD 840 Evo 500GB
• Storage HDD (Music/Movies/ETC.): Western Digital Black WD2002FAEX 2TB
• Blueray / DVD: LG BH16NS40(OEM) Blu-Ray WRITER
• CPU Cooling: Corsair Hydro Series H100i Liquid CPU Cooler
• Fans: Front 2x x 140mm fans / Rear 1 x 140mm fans
• Case: Corsair 730T

Now Regarding using the UEFI Bios and Win 8.1 64 in UEFI mode,


From what I have read here and at the link below on Microsoft


UEFI Boot in Windows 8.1


and from checking all my components specs they all seem to meet the UEFI Boot requirements other than perhaps the DVD drive as I cannot see anywhere if the firmware specs for it are 64bit.


Regardless, in the article above the author says just before the start of the last paragraph in bold

In fact, it is a better strategy to install Windows UEFI with Secure Boot disabled. It can subsequently be enabled after successful Windows UEFI installation, and ascertain the working of all Hardware Devices.

Click to expand...

So based on that info am I correct that the steps to install Windows 8.1 in UEFI would be as follow.


Build PC then boot PC into Bios and update to latest bios then reboot back into BIOS and select the following


Open UEFI BIOS > Boot settings, Disable CSM/Legacy Boot, Enable UEFI Boot


Then Insert Win 8.1 64 DVD media reboot and select to install windows 8.1, which detect the system is UEFI and will allow windows to create a GPT EFI System Partition for UEFI Boot format.


Let the install finish then update all OS, hardware firmware and drivers and profit????


Am I missing anything here?


Will the DVD drive be able to install in UEFI if it's firmware is not 64 bit if secure mode in UEFI is disabled? If not from what I have read I can just use a USB thumb drive with the install ISO on it to install Win 8.1 64 in UEFI mode.


Is it also necessary to then go back into the UEFI BIOS settings and enable Secure Boot or can I happily use the system in UEFI without Secure Boot enabled?


The author of the above article says in a reply in the comments section

Secure Boot as of now is actually intended for OEM computers manufactured under Windows 8 logo program

Click to expand...

Which I would assume does not apply to my box as I am building it from individual components?

Really looking for anyone who has had experience doing this recently with similar components to chime in, any help appreciated.


Cheers Q

You seem to have all your facts and assumptions correct..

Disable Legacy/csm support - disable secureboot - install windows 8.1 x64 - enable secureboot

windows 8.1 x86 supports none of this

KYHI said:

You seem to have all your facts and assumptions correct..

Disable Legacy/csm support - disable secureboot - install windows 8.1 x64 - enable secureboot

windows 8.1 x86 supports none of this

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply Kyhi

Is it necessary to enable secure boot at the end of the installation or can I keep it unsecured? What advantage or disadvantages might enabling secure boot cause if any?

Cheers Q

secure boot looks for a certificate key before it allows anything to boot before windows..

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824987.aspx

quozl said:

Motheboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 Rev 1.0Q

Click to expand...

Take a look at this post: link

Thanks for the link genet some great info there that I will check in my bios at first boot to make sure the settings are correct.

Again with regards to Secure Boot ..... Do I have to use it????

I am afraid that if there is an incompatibility issue with a hardware device if I enable it that I may not be able to get into the Bios again to turn it off?

Or is it as simple as after first successful boot with Secure Bios set to OFF then going back into UEFI Bios settings and enabling Secure Boot and if it then falls over then just going back into the BIOS again and turning it back off?

Cheers Q

1. Enable Secure Boot
2. Install Windows 8.1 64-bit from USB/DVD.