Aurora R10, AMD Ryzen CPU vendor locked by Dell?

background:

An OEM who trusts only their own cryptographically signed BIOS code to run on their platforms will use a PSB enabled motherboard and set one-time-programmable fuses in the processor to bind the processor to the OEM’s firmware code signing key. AMD processors are shipped unlocked from the factory, and can initially be used with any OEM’s motherboard. But once they are used with a motherboard with PSB enabled, the security fuses will be set, and from that point on, that processor can only be used with motherboards that use the same code signing key. (Source: AMD statement to STH)

It can be difficult to tell if a CPU has been PSB fused, so buying CPUs on the secondary market can be risky. For example, a CPU that has been PSB fused for a Dell system may not work in a non-Dell system

one reddit user reported: Dell doesn't vendor lock CPU's as far as i'm aware, and certainly not the 5900x. I myself have a transplanted 5900x from my r10 and had zero issues.

Not vendor locked, but on what motherboard did you try to use it?

@redxps630​ Maybe only on some batches? I bought it when the covid lockdown in 2020. There was shortage of hardware components.

One motherboard is A520M-A PRO with latest update. It is compatible with 5800x, and I cleared the cmos. It works just fine with a 5500...

@redxps630​ When switching cpus the Alienware always ask if you want to activate the fTPM, but that's another story I suppose. It considers that maybe you have a encrypted Windows installation and activating a different fTPM would cause issues with bitlocker.

https://github.com/mkopec/psb_status

check for PSB on your R10 platform 

Stepping might also matter, something to check for also.

@redxps630​ Ok, it has PSB enabled so my Alienware is indeed locking the CPUs... I assume even my new retail Ryzen 9 5950x that I currently have installed on my Alienware is indeed locked forever to Dell... What the...

ubuntu@ubuntu:~/iotools$ sudo ./psb_status.sh

Ox11000d70

PSB is enabled on your platforn. You will not be able to run alternative firmware.

A good test would be to put the 5950X in the other motherboard and see what happens.

I have never heard of PSB locking on consumer systems...

@Vanadiel​ Stepping is B0. Rally considered before.

Extra info for the motherboard and revision. I suspect that everyone on internet not being able to transplant their cpus to another mobo has this same issue and PSB enabled from the manufacturer.

Is this even legal???

ubuntu@ubuntu:~/iotools$ sudo dmidecode -t baseboard
# dmidecode 3.5
Getting SMBIOS data fron sysfs.
SMBIOS 3.3.0 present

Handle Ox0002, DMI type 2, 15 bytes
Base Board Information

Manufacturer: Alienware

Product Name: OTYROX
Version: A0O
Serial Number: *****
Asset Tag:
Features:
Board is a hosting board
Board is replaceable
Location In Chassis: Default string
Chassis handle: 0x0003
Type: Motherboard
Contained Object Handles:

Handle Ox003C, DMI type 41, 11 bytes

Onboard Device
Reference Designation: Broadcon 5762
Type: Ethernet
Status: Enabled
Typе Instance: 1
Bus Address: 0000:04:00.0

@Vanadiel​ Will try, and I will contact technical support asking about this. I'm in Spain, so I will have to wait to tomorrow.

@ahersan​ Lenovo is know to use PSB, but I never heard Dell using it.

Ha... I can't contact technical support without paying, since chat or email are disabled because my warranty is expired, I have to call to a paying telephone line number... Excellent...

Re: Ok, it has PSB enabled so my Alienware is indeed locking the CPUs.

can you show a screenshot?

also use the tool to check the retail MSI board you have to show it does have PSB.

If true, that is a serious setback to user preference for AMD on Dell.