AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture (AGESA) is a procedure library developed by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), used to perform the Platform Initialization (PI) on mainboards using their AMD64 architecture. As part of the BIOS of such mainboards, AGESA is responsible for the initialization of the CPU cores, chipset, main memory, and the HyperTransport controller.
History
AGESA was open sourced in early 2011, aiming to aid in the development of coreboot, a project attempting to replace PC's proprietary BIOS. However, such releases never became the basis for the development of coreboot beyond AMD's Bulldozer microarchitecture, and were subsequently halted.
AGESA became particularly relevant with the AM4 platform, which AMD designed for futureproofing and served as the socket for three different generations of CPUs based on its Zen architecture. For each of these generations, a new branch of AGESA code has been released. AGESA versioning often runs separately for each of these three releases, so numbering regressions are bound to happen when going from one generation to the next.
The first version, named "Summit PI", launched in February 2017. It was targeted at the first generation Zen chips, and started with version 1.0.0.4. In October 2017, when Summit PI reached version 1.0.0.7, the branch was renamed to "Raven PI" (its version numbering was not reset), and it was released as the first version of AGESA to support Raven Ridge APUs.
The second version, supporting the Zen's second generation, known as Zen+, is named "Pinnacle PI", after the Ryzen processors' codename, Pinnacle Ridge. It launched in February 2018 with an initial version of 1.0.0.0a.
Then in March 2019, the third iteration of AGESA, named "ComboAM4 PI", was released, starting at version 0.0.7.0, introducing support for Zen 2-based processors.
"ComboAM4v2" supports Zen 3-based processors, while "ComboAM5PI" supports Zen 4-based processors in socket AM5 motherboards.
"ChagallWS PI" for the sWRX8 platform, supporting ThreadRipper Pro processors based on the Chagall architecture.
In April 2023, AMD announced plans to replace the aging AGESA codebase with a new open-source firmware called "AMD openSIL". The new firmware is expected to be ready by 2026.
Version history + AGESA releases for socket AM5NameMicroarchitectureVersionRelease Notes Release dateComboAM5PIZen 5Zen 41.3.0.1dSecurity vulnerability mitigationAugust 20261.3.0.1cImprove CXMT memory compatibilityJuly 20261.3.0.1b Patch ASupport the GNR Transparent Secure Memory Encryption (TSME) featureJune 20261.3.0.1bImplemented EXPO support for Ultra Low LatencyMay 20261.3.0.1Improve compatibility and performance for Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition processorsApril 20261.3.0.0aOptimized Memory Compatibility.Resolve a boot failure occurring on certain CPUs.February 20261.2.8.0Improved memory compatibility, added next gen Ryzen processors supportDecember 20251.2.7.1December 20251.2.7.0Improves compatibility with various CPUs and devicesNovember 20251.2.0.3gSeptember 20251.2.0.3fEnhanced system performance, stability, device compatibility, and overclocking supportJuly 20251.2.0.3e256 GB (4x 64GB) RAM support, support for new CPU, security fixes (AMD-SB-4011)June 20251.2.0.3dEnhance compatibility, optimize PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive)1.2.0.3cSecurity fixes (AMD-SB-7033, added “Zen5” processors as affected products)March 20251.2.0.3a Patch AImprove compatibility of single and dual rank memory on X870 & B850 motherboardsMarch 20251.2.0.3Improve system performance, security fixes (CPU Microcode Signature Verification Vulnerability AMD-SB-7033)January 20251.2.0.2bSecurity fixes (SMM Vulnerabilities AMD-SB-7027)November 20241.2.0.2Reduced inter-core latencySeptember 20241.2.0.1Fixed security vulnerabilities (AMD-SB-7014)August 20241.2.0.0aPerformance, bugfixesJune 2024FireRangePI1.1.7.0 Patch ASupport for Ryzen 9000April 2024ComboAM5PIZen 41.1.0.2Fixed security vulnerabilities (AMD-SB-4008)January 20241.1.0.1Fixed security vulnerabilities (LogoFAIL)January 20241.1.0.0BugfixesDecember 20231.0.9.0Bugfixes concerning USB 3.0November 20231.0.8.0Support for Phoenix, Security fixes (Inception)October 20231.0.0.7cFixes boot issues with certain RAMAugust 20231.0.0.7Limits SoC voltage to a maximum of 1.3 voltsMay 20231.0.0.6BugfixesApril 20231.0.0.5 Patch CSupport for Ryzen 7000X3DMarch 20231.0.0.4Support for Ryzen 7000 with 65 WattJanuary 20231.0.0.3 Patch AImproved GPU compatibility for GeForce RTX 40 series, Optimize for AMD Ryzen Master UtilitySeptember 20221.0.0.3Optimized system settings1.0.0.2Optimized system stability1.0.0.1 Patch HImproved RAM-compatibility
+ AGESA releases for socket sWRX8NameMicroarchitectureVersionRelease Notes Release dateChagallWSPIZen 31.0.0.CJuly 20251.0.0.BAMD-SB-7033December 20241.0.0.7AMD-SB-7009January 2024CastlePeakWSPIZen 21.0.0.GAMD-SB-7033December 20241.0.0.CAMD-SB-7009November 2023
+AGESA releases for socket AM4NameMicroarchitectureVersionNotesDateCombo-AM4v2Zen 3 Zen 2
Zen+
Zen1.2.0.12Security fixes (CVE-2026-6726, CVE-2026-6727, AMD-SB-7064)May 20261.2.0.11Fix AMD Athlon and Ryzen processor vulnerabilitiesApril 20261.2.0.10Security fixes (CVE-2024-36355, CVE-2025-54502, CVE-2025-54518, AMD-SB-4013)October 20251.2.0.FSecurity fixes (CVE-2025-29949)July 20251.2.0.ESecurity fixes (CPU Microcode Signature Verification Vulnerability AMD-SB-7033)January 20251.2.0.DSecurity fixes (SMM Vulnerabilities AMD-SB-7027)November 20241.2.0.CcSecurity fixes (Sinkclose/SMM Lock Bypass) in Ryzen 3000September 20241.2.0.CbSecurity fixes (Sinkclose/SMM Lock Bypass AMD-SB-7014) in Ryzen 4000/5000August 20241.2.0.CaSecurity fixes for Ryzen 4000G Renoir (AMD-SB-7008, AMD-SB-4008)April 20241.2.0.CSecurity fixes (LogoFAIL)March 20241.2.0.BSecurity fixes (Inception)September 20231.2.0.ASecurity fixesApril 20231.2.0.8Security fixes for Ryzen 5000 CezanneJanuary 20231.2.0.7Support for Cezanne with 300 chipsetApril 20221.2.0.6bSupport for Ryzen 5800X3DMarch 20221.2.0.5Stability fixesDecember 20211.2.0.3cSupport for Ryzen 5000 Vermeer, Ryzen 4000G Renoir with 300 chipsetOctober 20211.2.0.2Stability fixesMarch 20211.2.0.1Stability fixesFebruary 20211.2.0.0Support for Vermeer, Renoir, Cezanne with 400 chipsetJanuary 20211.1.9.0Curve Optimizer for undervolting and overclocking1.1.0.0dSupport for 400 chipsetDecember 20201.1.0.0cStability fixesNovember 20201.1.0.0Stability fixesSeptember 20201.0.8.1Stability fixesSeptember 20201.0.8.0Support for Vermeer with 500 chipsetAugust 20201.0.0.2Support for B550 chipset, Ryzen 3000 Matisse XT, RenoirJune 2020Combo-AM4Zen 2 Zen+
Zen
(Excavator)1.0.0.6Stability fixesJune 20201.0.0.5Stability fixesApril 20201.0.0.4bSupport for Ryzen 9 3950X, Zen und Zen+November 20191.0.0.3abbaStability fixesSeptember 20191.0.0.3abbStability fixesAugust 20191.0.0.3abaStability fixes1.0.0.3abStability fixes1.0.0.3aStability fixes1.0.0.3Stability fixes1.0.0.2Stability fixes1.0.0.1Full support for Matisse0.0.7.2Support for Ryzen 3000G Picasso, preliminary support for MatisseMarch 2019PinnaclePI-AM4Zen+ Zen
Excavator1.0.0.6December 20181.0.0.4August 20181.0.0.2aJune 20181.0.0.21.0.0.1aMarch 2018SummitPI-AM4Zen Excavator1.0.0.6bSeptember 20171.0.0.6aJuly 20171.0.0.6Support for DDR4 SDRAM up to 4000 MT/sMay 20171.0.0.4aApril 2017
See also Bootstrapping (computing) Coreboot Memory Reference Code
References
External links Specification document by AMD (2008) ThomasNet General Software, Inc. First BIOS Provider to Support AMD Barcelona coreboot LinuxBIOS Enablement Strategy @AMD & AGESA Info (PDF) AGESA source code Link to AGESA source code in coreboot. The repository history contains AGESA source code for previously-supported platforms.