That AMD has not gotten off to a good start in Windows 11 is a fact. To the first-time problems they had with their Ryzen CPUs, we had to add those that were found by multiple users such as stuttering or even stops for seconds in games. Today AMD offers an answer that many may not like about what is happening, mainly because it does not give a choice of two options: either we wait or we spend a “small” amount of money.
There has been no official statement from an AMD representative, but due to so many problems on the part of users in forums, the company has had to launch a press release on its website and as a support explaining the entire process. What are the solutions that AMD gives?
Description of the problem, late and wrong?
The worst of all this is that users have to choose, at the moment, for security or performance. AMD has taken too long to detect the problem, it has taken too long to explain and it seems that it will take time to solve it. That said, let’s find out what AMD says about it:
AMD has verified that certain AMD Ryzen system configurations may intermittently perform fTPM-related extended memory transactions on SPI flash memory (“SPIROM«) located on the motherboard, which may cause temporary pauses in system interactivity or responsiveness until the transaction completes.
Which has been precisely that, stuttering, which is what the players were complaining about. Seen the problem let’s see the solutions.
Affected PCs will require a motherboard system BIOS (sBIOS) update that contains enhanced modules for fTPM interaction with SPIROM. AMD expects flashable client sBIOS files to be available from early May 2022. The exact BIOS availability time for a specific motherboard depends on its manufacturer’s testing and integration program. Flashable upgrades for motherboards will be based on AMD AGESA 1207 (or later).
AMD and the problems with Windows 11: time or money
Logically, AMD is telling us here that we have to wait until the beginning of May of this year or later for the manufacturers to release the BIOS, so we will be with that time for no less than 8 months with a problem that reduces the gaming experience.
For this reason and being aware AMD ends up finishing all this with an alternative solution that you will not like either:
As an immediate solution, affected customers who rely on fTPM functionality for Trusted Platform Module support can use a hardware TPM device (“dTPM«) for PC security. Platform dTPM modules use embedded non-volatile memory (NVRAM) which replaces the TPM/SPIROM interaction described in this article.
Taking into account that the hardware TPM modules require firstly that the motherboard supports them (integrated connector) and secondly that we pay between 30 and 100 euros For a chip that has been in clear speculation since before the release of Windows 11, the options are not affordable at all.
What we can do is disable fTPM and thus not have the security of this type of measure, something that for most users should not be a problem, but it makes us give up a security measure that has been as controversial as it is unnecessary for the common user. In summary, AMD gives us a choice to solve problems with Windows 11: be patient and let time pass until a new BIOS or buy a TPM module, disabling it is not considered because it would be bad publicity for securityof course.