AMD Ryzen fTPM Random Stuttering Problem

17 September 2022

AMD has acknowledged a stuttering problem on Ryzen computers brought on by their firmware trusted platform module (fTPM) (via Windows Central). It won’t be until May until a BIOS update provides a lasting solution.

Windows 11 requires a TPM 2.0 version (although some users have still found a way around this requirement). It is used to create a cryptographic key that is used to boot your device, assisting in defending it against hackers who could try to tamper with the private data on your computer. Discrete trusted platform modules, also known as dTPMs, are physical chips installed on your motherboard that provide the same purpose as fTPMs, which are embedded in the firmware of your system.

AMD’s solution is to use hardware-based dTPM.

Since several months, certain AMD customers have been citing performance problems, with one user characterising it as a sudden dip in frame rates and even even “robotic” audio. The issue was found to be caused by “extended fTPM-related memory transactions in SPI flash memory (“SPIROM”) placed on the motherboard,” according to the company’s response to concerns, which was delayed. According to AMD, this may result in “temporary pauses in system responsiveness or interaction until the transaction is concluded” — or, to put it another way, stuttering.

As an interim solution, AMD advises switching to a hardware-based dTPM, which might not be worthwhile given that a fix isn’t too far off. Depending on the brand of your motherboard, a TPM chip will cost between $20 and $60 if your motherboard has a compliant TPM 2.0 header. AMD advises turning off TPM-backed encryption programmes like BitLocker Drive Encryption before switching to a dTPM and backing up your system’s data.

Wait for AMD’s “flashable client system BIOS files” to become accessible in early May if you don’t want to go through the procedure of purchasing and installing a TPM chip. Depending on the motherboard model you have, AMD claims that the timeframe of its release will change.

AMD has finally fixed the annoying fTPM bug that plagued a variety of AMD Ryzen devices. The recently released AGESA V2 1207 microcode update, which is now available for the majority of AM4 boards, fixes this well-known problem that resulted in performance drops, primarily in the form of stuttering in games. The A320, B350, and X370 chipsets from the earlier 300 series have also received the update in addition to the 400 and 500 series motherboards.

The cause, according to AMD, was likely the fTPM-related memory transactions in the motherboards’ SP1 flash memory. On AMD Ryzen systems with fTPM enabled in the BIOS, there is a lag between Windows and the background fTPM memory transfer. The performance would suffer as a result, frequently producing occasional stutters and freezes along with shaky audio. This can also result in crashes in rare circumstances, usually on less powerful systems.

Both Ryzen PCs running Windows 10 and 11 were affected by this issue, but the former was generally unaffected as fTPM is primarily a necessity for the latter. Furthermore, stability problems impacting the Ryzen 7 5800X3D have been resolved. It is now possible to overclock the BCLK FSB, but the multiplier is still locked to protect the additional cache.

Statement by AMD

Intermittent System Stutter Experienced with fTPM Enabled on Windows® 10 and 11

This documentation provides information on improving intermittent performance stutter(s) on select PCs running Windows® 10 and 11 with Firmware Trusted Platform Module (“fTPM”) enabled.

Issue Description

AMD has determined that select AMD Ryzen™ system configurations may intermittently perform extended fTPM-related memory transactions in SPI flash memory (“SPIROM”) located on the motherboard, which can lead to temporary pauses in system interactivity or responsiveness until the transaction is concluded.

Update and Workaround

Update: Affected PCs will require a motherboard system BIOS (sBIOS) update containing enhanced modules for fTPM interaction with SPIROM. AMD expects that flashable customer sBIOS files to be available starting in early May, 2022. Exact BIOS availability timing for a specific motherboard depends on the testing and integration schedule of your manufacturer. Flashable updates for motherboards will be based on AMD AGESA 1207 (or newer).
Workaround: As an immediate solution, affected customers dependent on fTPM functionality for Trusted Platform Module support may instead use a hardware TPM (“dTPM”) device for trusted computing. Platform dTPM modules utilize onboard non-volatile memory (NVRAM) that supersedes the TPM/SPIROM interaction described in this article.
1. COMPATIBILITY: Please check with your system or motherboard manufacturer to ensure that your platform supports add-in dTPM modules before attempting or implementing this workaround.
2. WARNING: If switching an active system from fTPM to dTPM, it is critical that you disable TPM-backed encryption systems (e.g. BitLocker Drive Encryption) and/or back up vital system data prior to switching TPM devices. You must have full administrative access to the system, or explicit support from your IT administrator if the system is managed.
https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/pa-410