How to Access AMD AM4/AM5 Socket Pinouts and Reference Designs (Individual Dev) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: electronx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2025, 10:13:41 am
content: Hi everyone,I’m planning to design desktop-class motherboards based on AMD platforms such as X470, X570, and X870.I understand that AMD likely provides detailed developer documentation (such as socket pinouts, reference schematics, IBIS models, and power delivery guidelines) through Developer Central or direct partner access — but as far as I can tell, these resources are restricted to official partners, and not available to individuals.I’ve previously worked with high-speed interfaces including PCIe Gen 4, DDR3 memory, USB 3.2, multi-gigabit Ethernet, and both HDMI and DisplayPort. I am confident in my ability to work with signal integrity and power distribution challenges, and I plan to run 3D field solvers and simulations for these designs.That said, I would love to have access to any of the following:- AM4 / AM5 socket pinout or pinmap documentation- Reference schematics for chipsets like X570 / X870- Mechanical drawings or keep-out zone files (ideally 3D STEP/IGES)- IBIS or SPICE models for simulationIs there any legal or open-access way for individuals to obtain such resources, or does anyone have experience requesting access from AMD as an independent developer?Similarly, how can I access the documentation of Nvidia and Intel?Can people working in large companies share their experiences?Thanks in advance for any advice or redirection!

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2025, 11:02:17 am
content: i don't think here is the place you'll find all your answers, as soon you mention reverse engineer, you may face some problems, ethics and suspicion(s)

author: electronx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2025, 11:14:00 am
content: I'm honestly curious about what's going on behind the scenes and as a hardware engineer I think it could be part of my development, I don't see any harm in that.I think I'm tired of mid-range high speed systems and development modules, it wouldn't be bad to add such a work to my portfolio

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2025, 10:31:09 pm
content: There is no ethical issue. But I doubt anyone here works in these areas.You'd have much more luck if you were in China or Taiwan.https://en.wikichip.org/wiki/amd/packages/socket_am5https://github.com/YeaTheMen/am4-motherboard/tree/main

author: electronx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 09:27:03 am
content: I don't think there is a problem with thisI wonder if I can access this data on various Chinese forums

author: fchk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 09:53:39 am
content: You do not only need the hardware docs, but you absolutely need to license the AGESA binary layer from AMD. This is not Open Source and not freeware. They will sue you into the ground if you dare to extract this from another BIOS.You will also need to license a BIOS. The Intel EDK-II is open source, but this only a part of the whole thing.Summary: Forget it.Read this:https://www.pcengines.ch/eol.htmThat guy has finally thrown the towel.Regarding NVidia: They will sell you the Jetson processor modules that contain CPU, GPU, Flash, RAM etc. They won't sell you individual chips. The Jetson modules are well documented and should be no problem for you.Intel: I've had brief contact with them. They need you to earn them a minimum revenue of some 50k $/€ a year in order to get support and access to documentation and software. It's difficult. BIOS and firmware licensing is still an issue then.

author: electronx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 10:43:20 am
content: here is the comment I was looking for, thank you very much,Apart from the BIOS, there is also a problem with accessing the chipset. There are no local sellers (at least none that I have seen). They probably supply it only to contracted manufacturers under very strict control. Not only the CPU and chipset, but also the BIOS, Management Engine (ME), TPM, and SPI Flash firmware layers are largely closed-source and heavily protected.

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 12:06:42 pm
content: RE Nvidia, assuming you'd look at doing something with Jetson:You do need a login for their Jetson download centre portal to get some of the key documents, but I suspect it's a lot easier to get one than from someone like AMD, and you can probably find some of the docs floating around the net anyway. Actual carrier board design for their SoMs (note module, not chip) is reasonably straightforward if you know how to deal with high speed differential interconnects, though there is the occasional annoyance or mistake. No DDR, fine pitch BGA or high current core power design needed with the SoM. Forum "support" is a fucking joke. All said, totally do-able to DIY a carrier board by yourself, especially if it's a NX class rather than the AGX, which has a more BGA style connector breakout requirement (I did a NX one professionally a few years back). Antmicro has some open source designs that are worth looking at too.

author: fchk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 01:50:06 pm
content: Quote from: Hydron on June 12, 2025, 12:06:42 pmYes, you do, but it's just a simple account creation with your email. No big deal.

author: electronx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 03:10:52 pm
content: Quote from: electronx on June 12, 2025, 10:43:20 amI have completed the industrial Agx orin carrier, it is not satisfactory anymorebut thank you anyway , I think I swallowed the design guide 4-5 times ,It was very simple with ibis files and electromagnetic solversDesigning a power sequence is not complex for me anymore . I am more focused on systems that directly include DDR and CPU and chipset. I have seen AMD's Ryzen embedded CPUs but I think they are also limited access.

author: Hydron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 04:24:02 pm
content: Ah good to hear that the NV login thing is easy to get. As annoying as some of the NV stuff is (old kernels, shitty support, stuff like telling you voltage levels and time for hold-up requirement on power loss but making you guess how much energy is needed for said hold-up) it's actually a pretty easy place to start if you want to get into a reasonably powerful custom embedded linux system.I can see why you want something with DDR etc though to take the next step from an AGX design - using a SoM is kinda cheating your way out of the tricky bits (happy with that personally though!).If anyone else here is giving the Jetson stuff a go then I'd also suggest looking into OE4T's kernel for an easier time with development/bring-up (way better than NV's mess of sources).

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2025, 09:54:23 pm
content: Quote from: electronx on June 12, 2025, 10:43:20 amAgain, go to China:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002548580188.htmlOutside of china, of course almost no one is going to be selling chipsets locally, who would ever buy them?You can find plenty of small companies that manufacture motherboards from ewaste or salvaged parts, come up with their own BIOS, etc. Without authorization.

author: electronx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 06:15:14 am
content: technical services, especially if the purchasing power of the country is not good, perform high-level repairs with bga reballing machines under the name of chip level repair, "lenty of small companies that manufacture motherboards from ewaste or salvaged parts" can you explain this a little more?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 09:36:54 pm
content: You'll find a lot of salvage or oddball motherboards with server/mobile/whatever parts on them and half finished bioses. These are clearly not "authorized" as the parts are supposed to go into laptops, or were supposed to be thrown out, etc.

author: electronx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 09:55:03 pm
content: Wow, are they copying the bios or using pre-programmed bios chips?, unbelievable

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2025, 10:03:16 pm
content: I wonder how long before they have a AI utility that can write a full bios code to finally free this stuff upI wonder if that will be the next PC revolution, aka open drivers for everything