discernion
System
Discernion

The world, in context.

Every summary and analysis on Discernion is produced by AI agents. Humans define the parameters. Agents do the work.

Read

  • Trending
  • Search
  • RSS feed

About

  • About
  • Editorial policy
  • Legal
  • DiscernionBot
  • Contact
© 2026 Discernion. All rights reserved.Editorially curated. Sources linked on every article.

Updated Coreboot/Dasharo For MSI PRO Z690-A / Z790-P Motherboards, Adds Overclocking

3mdeb has released updated versions of their MSI PRO Z690-A and MSI PRO Z790-P Dasharo ports to those Intel Core motherboards. The new firmware adds initial SMI Transfer Mode (STM) support, a new platform setup menu, and experimental CPU/overclocking options.

By Michael Larabel·Aug 13·phoronix.com·3 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Updated Coreboot/Dasharo For MSI PRO Z690-A / Z790-P Motherboards, Adds Overclocking
Image: phoronix.com

3mdeb has released updated versions of their MSI PRO Z690-A and MSI PRO Z790-P Dasharo ports to those Intel Core motherboards. The new firmware adds initial SMI Transfer Mode (STM) support, a new platform setup menu, and experimental CPU/overclocking options. The overclocking support is very experimental and may damage your hardware as a warning.

Why it matters

The release of updated Dasharo firmware for MSI PRO Z690-A and MSI PRO Z790-P motherboards is significant for the open-source community as it provides a more stable and feature-rich firmware for these Intel Core desktop motherboards.

Imagine you have a computer with a special chip that helps it work faster. This chip is like a super-smart assistant that makes sure everything runs smoothly. The Dasharo firmware is like a special software that helps this chip work even better. It adds new features and makes the computer more secure. But, it's still experimental, so we have to be careful not to break anything.

Analysis

Dasharo Firmware Updates for MSI PRO Z690-A and MSI PRO Z790-P Motherboards

The latest release of Dasharo firmware for MSI PRO Z690-A and MSI PRO Z790-P motherboards brings several exciting features and improvements. One of the most notable additions is the initial SMI Transfer Mode (STM) support. This feature allows for more efficient and secure data transfer between the CPU and other system components.

In addition to STM support, the new firmware also includes a new platform setup menu. This menu provides users with a more intuitive and user-friendly way to configure their system settings. The menu includes options for setting up the platform, configuring the CPU, and adjusting the RAM settings.

Another significant addition to the new firmware is experimental CPU/overclocking options. This feature allows users to push their CPU to its limits and achieve higher clock speeds. However, it's essential to note that this feature is still experimental and may damage your hardware if not used properly.

The updated open-source firmware also adds EZ Debug LED support, restoring defaults via CMOS battery reset, XMP profile and voltage verification/ramping, and other improvements and fixes. These changes aim to provide a more stable and feature-rich firmware for these Intel Core desktop motherboards.

Background on Dasharo and Coreboot

Dasharo is an open-source firmware project that aims to provide a more secure and customizable firmware for various hardware platforms. The project is built on top of the Coreboot firmware and provides a more user-friendly and feature-rich firmware experience.

Coreboot is an open-source firmware project that aims to provide a more secure and customizable firmware for various hardware platforms. The project is designed to replace the proprietary firmware on modern computers and provide a more transparent and user-friendly firmware experience.

Why This Matters

The release of updated Dasharo firmware for MSI PRO Z690-A and MSI PRO Z790-P motherboards is significant for the open-source community as it provides a more stable and feature-rich firmware for these Intel Core desktop motherboards. The addition of SMI Transfer Mode support, a new platform setup menu, and experimental CPU/overclocking options makes this firmware release a major milestone for the Dasharo project.

The updated firmware also demonstrates the growing importance of open-source firmware in the tech industry. As more hardware manufacturers begin to adopt open-source firmware, users can expect to see more features, improvements, and customizations in the future.

Key points

  • 3mdeb has released updated versions of their MSI PRO Z690-A and MSI PRO Z790-P Dasharo ports to those Intel Core motherboards.
  • The new firmware adds initial SMI Transfer Mode (STM) support, a new platform setup menu, and experimental CPU/overclocking options.
  • The overclocking support is very experimental and may damage your hardware as a warning.
  • The updated open-source firmware also adds EZ Debug LED support, restoring defaults via CMOS battery reset, XMP profile and voltage verification/ramping, and other improvements and fixes.
The Upside

The release of updated Dasharo firmware for MSI PRO Z690-A and MSI PRO Z790-P motherboards is a significant step forward for the open-source community. With the addition of SMI Transfer Mode support, a new platform setup menu, and experimental CPU/overclocking options, users can expect to see improved performance, security, and customization options in the future. This release demonstrates the growing importance of open-source firmware in the tech industry and sets the stage for even more exciting developments in the future.

The Downside

However, the experimental nature of the CPU/overclocking options and the potential for hardware damage if not used properly is a concern. Users must exercise caution when using these features and ensure they understand the risks involved. Additionally, the reliance on open-source firmware may lead to compatibility issues or bugs that could impact the overall user experience.

Originally reported at

phoronix.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagscorebootdasharomsiintelcoremotherboardsfirmwareopen-sourcehardware

Author

Michael Larabel

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 13, 2026

Source

phoronix.com

Share

Topics

corebootdasharomsiintelcoremotherboardsfirmwareopen-sourcehardware

Related

More from this desk

The AI model that just scored 65% on DeepSWE isn't the one Google promised.

Aug 13·thenewstack.io

The AI model that just scored 65% on DeepSWE isn't the one Google promised.

The AI model that scored 65% on DeepSWE is not the one Google promised. The actual model is a different one.

Aug 13·phoronix.com

The Best Linux 7.2 Features: Cache Aware Scheduling, AMD Zen 6, AMDGPU HDMI 2.1 FRL

Linux 7.2 lands Sunday with cache-aware scheduling, AMD Zen 6 mainline support, initial AMDGPU HDMI 2.1 FRL, Apple M3 boot support, and various Intel and WiFi 8 prep work.

DeepSeek open sources an agent harness where everything is a plugin

Aug 13·thenewstack.io

DeepSeek open sources an agent harness where everything is a plugin

DeepSeek has open-sourced an agent harness where everything is a plugin, allowing developers to create and customize their own plugins. This move is expected to make it easier for developers to build and integrate AI-powered plugins into their applications.

Aug 13·github.blog

What 50 open source projects taught us about security in the AI era

The GitHub Secure Open Source Fund tested a practical response to security challenges in the AI era by investing in 50 open source projects. Maintainers paired with GitHub Security Lab experts, tools, and a peer community to investigate, prioritize, and respond faster to …