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AMD Ryzen processor users on Windows 10 may experience hardware slowdowns and game dropouts. Problem identified: fTPM function, it is often enabled by default on motherboards.
Slowdowns are caused by enabling fTPM on AMD chipset motherboards. © AMD
With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft pushed motherboard manufacturers to automatically enable fTPM security, a feature essential to running its new operating system. Problem: Some Ryzen CPU users are experiencing temporary freezes on Windows 10, as well as game slowdowns. The gap was highlighted earlier this year by several users in various discussion forums without a real fix, except for deactivating fTPM when possible, which is not necessary for the old version of Windows.
Dedicated TPM. © AsRock
However, AMD has identified the source of the trouble. This is caused by the slow interaction between Windows and the chip that contains the firmware that runs the fTPM function. AMD will offer a solution in early May by releasing a new version of Agesa – the management firmware for its processors – for manufacturers to update their motherboards’ BIOS.
For those in a hurry, AMD points out that it’s also possible to install a custom TPM instead of fTPM. In fact, these modules use NVRAM, which is faster than ROM, and doesn’t cause any slowdowns. However, in specialized stores this type of unit will cost between 20 and 50 euros.
