Yes, AMD can provide a boot kit and they have a program for that.
Short Term Processor Loan Boot Kit
AMD will offer affected and qualified users (as described below) an AMD Athlon 200GE Processor, including thermal solution, for short-term use ("boot kit") to perform the BIOS update on their motherboard.
This short-term processor loan or boot kit is offered through AMD warranty services and is available only for qualified users that:
- Have made a valid purchase of a 3rd Gen Ryzen™ Desktop Processor and;
- Are unable to boot that processor because the user’s current X470/B450 BIOS must be upgraded first.
This service is free of charge with the following condition:
Once you have submitted your claim for a processor loan boot kit, AMD will require pictures of your 3rd Gen Ryzen™ Desktop Processor and AMD Socket AM4 400 Series motherboard, which clearly shows the model numbers and unique serial numbers as well as a copy of the purchase invoice(s) to authorize the request. Additionally, a summary or copy of communication with the motherboard manufacturer is requested to indicate why support from the Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) is not suitable.
Once the RMA request is approved, the AMD Athlon 200GE processor will be sent with pre-paid return shipping. The processor is provided as a temporary loan to you for the sole purpose of updating the BIOS and must be returned within 10 business days of receipt. It is not necessary to return the provided thermal solution.
To obtain the boot kit, please carefully follow these instructions:
- Go to the AMD online warranty claims page: https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/warranty-information/rma-form
- Fill in your full contact and product details (3rd Gen Ryzen Processor OPN number and serial number)
- In the Problem Description field enter "Boot kit Required" (without quotes)
NOTE: The product must be a valid AMD processor with authentic OPN and serial number.
Once the claim is received and approved, confirmation details and boot kit instructions will be provided in a follow up email.
Also, pretty much any reputable repair shop can update the BIOS for a small fee or retailers like
- Overclockers UK
- Scan
- Novatech
- Ebuyer (Online Only)
- Box
- AWD-IT
- Aria PC
- CCL Computers
- Laptops Direct
- More Computers
- Computer Orbit
- Falcon Compuers
Which, if they offer services anything like Best Buy or Microcenter in the US, have tech services and should be able to update for a small fee as well. You might want to contact the retailer you plan to buy from and see if they can tell you what BIOS version the motherboard is going to come with. Sometimes they can, sometimes they don't know.