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STH ServeTheHome Advertisement [INS::INS] STH STH * Forums * AI * Server + Server Systems + Server CPUs + Accelerators + Server Motherboards + Server Chassis + Other Components * 5G Edge * Storage * Networking * Workstation + Workstation Processors + Workstation Motherboards * Software + Operating Systems + Server Applications + Virtualization * Guides + Buyer's Guides + Tips + Top Hardware Components for FreeNAS NAS Servers + Top Hardware Components for pfSense Appliances + Top Hardware Components for napp-it and Solarish NAS Servers + Top Picks for Windows Server 2016 Essentials Hardware + The DIY WordPress Hosting Server Hardware Guide [ ][Search] Home Workstation Workstation Processors Lenovo Vendor Locking Ryzen CPUs with AMD PSB the Video * Workstation * Workstation Processors Lenovo Vendor Locking Ryzen CPUs with AMD PSB the Video By Patrick Kennedy - January 16, 2022 5 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin Email Print Lenovo Vendor Locking AMD Ryzen CoverLenovo Vendor Locking AMD Ryzen Cover Since it is a holiday weekend in the US, we have a quick story today. As you may have read previously on STH, Lenovo is vendor locking AMD Ryzen CPUs in its systems. This is something we have seen previously on SP3 CPUs (even Threadripper Pro ones), but we ran into factory vendor-locked CPUs as part of our Project TinyMiniMicro series on Socket AM4. Lenovo Vendor Locking Ryzen CPUs with AMD PSB the Video Here is the video on Lenovo vendor-locking AMD Ryzen CPUs using the AMD PSB, or platform secure boot feature: We always suggest watching this in its own window, tab, or YouTube app for the best viewing experience. One thing added compared to the Lenovo Vendor Locking Ryzen-based Systems with AMD PSB piece a few days ago is my suggestion for how PSB should work in the future: * AMD ships chips with fuses not blown * Vendor sets PSB to ensure no post-factory tampering from the factory to the customer * Have the ability to de-PSB CPU (perhaps by blowing all field-programmable fuses) * A CPU that has gone through the de-PSB process cannot be used again with the PSB feature but can be used in any system with PSB disabled * All systems should allow PSB enabled or disabled with an indication on which is being used The above steps would allow CPUs to be used on the secondary market for those who are simply trying to upgrade or for those in lower per capita income areas where purchasing full-price new CPUs is not always possible, especially a few years after purchase. Once a CPU has moved system to system, then having the PSB feature validating that the hardware has not been tampered with seems like it would be less useful since there was indeed purposeful tampering. Lenovo M75q Tiny Gen2 Ryzen Pro 5000 Series FrontLenovo M75q Tiny Gen2 Ryzen Pro 5000 Series Front Doing the above would decrease the amount of e-waste Lenovo is generating by enabling the PSB feature on its chips, while at the same time enabling an up-cycling opportunity for those who cannot afford to purchase new systems. Final Words AMD PSB is a game-changing feature for the second-hand market. We are starting to see some vendors disclose when AMD chips have been vendor locked to Lenovo and Dell systems, but primarily on the EPYC side. This impacts Lenovo Threadripper Pro systems like the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 as well. The challenge is that with AMD Ryzen and AM4, there are a lot more consumers and enthusiasts that can potentially be impacted as the volumes and market segment is different than it is for servers and high-end workstations. We hope AMD and its customers take these suggestions. [INS::INS] * TAGS * amd * AMD Ryzen * Lenovo * PSB * Ryzen Previous articleIntel Atlas Canyon NUCs with Jasper Lake Launched Patrick Kennedy https://www.servethehome.com Patrick has been running STH since 2009 and covers a wide variety of SME, SMB, and SOHO IT topics. Patrick is a consultant in the technology industry and has worked with numerous large hardware and storage vendors in the Silicon Valley. The goal of STH is simply to help users find some information about server, storage and networking, building blocks. If you have any helpful information please feel free to post on the forums. RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR QNAP TS H1290FX Cover Storage QNAP TS-h1290FX 12x NVMe AMD EPYC 25GbE NAS Launched AMD Ryzen Zen 4 Lisa Su Workstation Processors AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D with 3D V-Cache Coming in the Spring AM5 2H 2022 AMD Ryzen 6000 Series Mobile Mobile AMD CES 2022 Product Launches Including Ryzen 6000 Mobile 5 COMMENTS 1. erik January 16, 2022 At 9:14 am i think it would be better if AMD hadn't implemented such a feature. the cause of this "evil" is AMD, not the vendors like Lenovo, Dell, etc etc. AMD is causing e-waste !!! 2. William Barath January 16, 2022 At 10:01 am Since this is an anti-recycling and anti-self-maintaining feature, this particular security feature should come with additional e-waste fees at the time of purchase, unless as you say they make it opt-in and opt-out. 3. 1234 January 16, 2022 At 11:17 am Now I know my next CPU is going to be an Intel one. No AMD, this is completely unacceptable. 4. Syr January 16, 2022 At 1:50 pm Patrick, you should probably link to the original PSB article at the beginning for context, since as some of the above comments indicate, there's certainly some misconceptions about whats going on. Till then for people just reading the comments - (or you can check out patrick's full article on the context which he links in the word 'Epyc' in the conclusion of this article): - the vendor lock is a firmware signing security feature to prevent systems from working with firmware that doesnt match the key burned in the fuses - intel implements this feature as well.. in the IME which is located not on the CPU but rather the PCH, which is soldered on the board anyways and thus eliminates the whole ewaste/reuse problem - AMD chose to put the PSP on the cpu die not the chipset, because the cpus are designed to be useable as SoCs without an additional chip (ex epyc boards, or ryzen 300 (chipsetless) boards) - the security feature was requested by customers of dell/lenovo/ etc, who then requested it of AMD - AMD should be held accountable for half-baking a feature in such a short-sighted way, but its hardly at the level of 'being evil' - pester your representatives to support smarter designed, re-use friendly hardware. Right to repair has been gaining significant traction, and this should be able to ride along with it. I've previously sent out emails to the departments for my representatives about this and related topics. 5. Patrick Kennedy January 16, 2022 At 2:22 pm Syr I added a few links for you. Good idea. LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Please enter your comment! [ ] Please enter your name here [ ] You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here [ ] [ ]Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [ ] [ ]Sign me up for the STH newsletter! [Post Comment] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] D[ ] This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. [INS::INS] [INS::INS] Newsletter Get the best of STH delivered weekly to your inbox. We are going to curate a selection of the best posts from STH each week and deliver them directly to you. 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