I installed a physical TPM 2.0 module in my MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard with a Ryzen 5 7600X. The firmware TPM (fTPM) works normally, but when I disable fTPM and enable the discrete TPM option, the module disappears after saving and rebooting. Windows also cannot detect it, and returning to the BIOS shows "no security device found." I have updated the BIOS, fully powered down the computer, switched off the PSU, removed and reinstalled the module, and tried the usual troubleshooting steps. The module is initially detected before changing the TPM settings, but it is not available afterward. The system also has an RX 7800 XT. What could be causing this, and is there any reason to use the physical module instead of fTPM?
2 Answers
Your Ryzen processor already provides TPM 2.0 through AMD fTPM, so the physical module usually is not necessary for Windows 11 or normal security features. If fTPM is working, the most practical solution is to leave it enabled. A discrete module can fail to initialize if it is not the exact module and pinout supported by the motherboard, even if it appears to fit and is detected initially. Check MSI’s compatibility list and the motherboard manual before assuming the module is usable.
The TPM requirement for Windows 11 does not mean you need a separate add-in module. AMD fTPM satisfies the requirement. Since the BIOS reports that no security device is present only after you switch away from fTPM, the physical module is either incompatible, using a different header layout, or not being initialized correctly by the firmware. Verify the exact part number and header orientation, then reset the TPM-related BIOS settings and retest fTPM. Avoid repeatedly switching TPM devices if BitLocker or device encryption is enabled, because changing TPMs can trigger a recovery-key prompt.
I bought the module previously and tried it because fTPM seemed to glitch during some games. I was hoping the physical module would avoid that, but I may go back to fTPM if the board does not fully support this one.