MSI PRO B850-P WiFi: AMD's First Open-Source AM5 Desktop Motherboard Takes Shape

The MSI PRO B850-P WiFi represents a significant milestone for open-source computing enthusiasts. This AMD Ryzen AM5 motherboard, priced competitively at just $179 USD, is becoming the foundation for something much more ambitious than its modest specifications might suggest.

A New Chapter in Open-Source Firmware

The motherboard itself is unremarkable in many ways - a standard ATX form factor with WiFi support, four DDR5 memory slots, and typical AM5 features. What makes it special is the work being done by 3mdeb, a consulting firm that's porting Coreboot and AMD's experimental openSIL to this platform.

This follows their successful 2022 port of Coreboot to the MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4 motherboard for Intel Alder Lake processors. That project marked the first modern desktop motherboard in years to receive robust upstream Coreboot support. Now 3mdeb is tackling their first AMD Ryzen platform, bringing truly open-source firmware to AMD's latest architecture.

The OpenSIL Connection

The use of AMD's openSIL (Silicon Initialization Layer) is particularly noteworthy. Unlike the Alder Lake board that still relied on Intel's closed-source FSP (Firmware Support Package), this AM5 motherboard will make use of AMD's currently-experimental openSIL CPU silicon initialization code. This represents a more open-source experience, though it's important to note that the openSIL code being used comes from AMD's openSIL Phoenix snapshot, which is considered "proof of concept" and not intended for production use.

Beyond the Desktop

Interestingly, 3mdeb is working on this MSI PRO B850-P WiFi port simultaneously with a similar open-source firmware stack for the Gigabyte MZ33-AR1 EPYC 9005 server motherboard. For that AMD EPYC Turin platform, they're even planning to bring OpenBMC to the mix, creating a comprehensive open-source ecosystem for both desktop and server AMD platforms.

The Business Model

Like their previous work, 3mdeb is undertaking this port without official support from MSI. They're aiming to offer paid Dasharo builds - their downstream Coreboot-based firmware distribution - for users who want a polished consumer experience without building from source. There's even discussion of selling the motherboard pre-flashed with Dasharo for easy deployment.

Funding and Progress

3mdeb announced their plans for the MSI PRO B850-P WiFi in February, revealing they'd received funding again from the NLnet Foundation to support their efforts. This financial backing is crucial for continuing work on these open-source firmware projects that benefit the entire community.

The Bigger Picture

What's happening here reflects a broader tension in the open-source hardware world. While projects like these demonstrate what's possible, they also highlight the need for greater manufacturer involvement. It would be ideal if more motherboard vendors officially supported Coreboot-based firmware or at least funded efforts like 3mdeb's as an unofficial alternative.

What This Means for Users

For Linux and open-source enthusiasts, this motherboard represents an opportunity to run truly open firmware on modern AMD hardware. The combination of Coreboot and openSIL could provide better transparency, potentially improved security through auditability, and the satisfaction of running fully open-source code from boot to desktop.

However, users should be aware that this is still very much a development project. The experimental nature of openSIL means there may be stability or compatibility issues to work through. Those interested in being early adopters will need patience and a willingness to participate in the development process.

The MSI PRO B850-P WiFi may look like just another AM5 motherboard on the surface, but thanks to 3mdeb's work, it's becoming a testbed for the future of open-source firmware on AMD platforms. As this project progresses, it could pave the way for more open hardware support and give users unprecedented control over their system's lowest-level software.