Solved Why do new motherboards have TPM headers?


alkaufmann

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I am looking to upgrade my system for Windows 11 and I don't why the ASUS motherboards I am looking at all have TPM headers for TPM modules that are purchased separately. Then if you search for these TPM modules, you can't find them anywhere. I downloaded the manuals for these motherboards to check out if the bios handles TPM and guess what, the manufacturer has really gotten cheap and the manual has almost no information on the bios.

The main question I would like answered, if a TPM module is not required for Windows 11, why is there a TPM header on the motherboard?

Thanks,
Ak
 

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Hi.. what motherboard are you looking to get,, model. That should help us addresses your issues.

Second.. most, if not all, motherboards since 2015 have TPM 2.0 built into the BIOS so a separate chip isn't need.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
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    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
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    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
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    Zalman i3 NEO
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    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
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Asus does sell TPM modules



At the same time, many motherboards (including mine, ASUS Rog Strix Z490-A Gaming) have TPM (in the guise of PTT) inbuilt and do not require the additional module.

Which motherboards are you looking at?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-10600K
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix Z490-A Gaming
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung U32J59x 32" 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
I am looking at the Asus ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming Wifi and the ROG Maximus XIII Hero. Just tried to download a manual again and that page is not available, maybe they are updating their manual to include the bios.

If you do not need a TPM-SPI module if it can be handled by the bios and cpu, why is there this TPM header on the motherboard? There has to be some advantage for it or they would save the money and not put that header on the motherboard.

Asus website does show this TPM-SPI module on their website, but have you tried to buy one? Either it is out of stock or you can find it on Ebay for a ridiculous price.

1625675923455.png
I have been very happy with my Maximus VI Hero, maybe I now need to look beyond ASUS.

Ak
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 11 Pro (Preview)

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
If you have the header you dont need the module, My mobo has a tpm header at 1.2 which allows the use of firmware tpm to be upgraded to TPM 2.0. Thus i am running TMP 2.0 with a TMP 1.2 header. No module needed
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    10700k@5.2
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Gaming X Z490
    Memory
    Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 4k HDR, Two 1080p Benq and Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160/2560x1440/1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1tb
    Samsung EVO 870 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair RX 650
    Case
    NZXT h510
    Cooling
    CM HYPER 212 RGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata Chroma
    Mouse
    Steelseries Rival 710
Here's an image of the supported motherboards and the Z590 supports TPM 2.0
Screenshot 2021-07-07 131405.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home(Beta) - 23H2 - 22635.3350
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Banana Junior 5600- G Series
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix B550-F
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viotek 32", 28" ASUS VP28U
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
    PSU
    EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
    Case
    Zalman i3 NEO
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
    Keyboard
    Corsair
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic with Cord
    Internet Speed
    Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
    Browser
    Firefox and Edge
    Antivirus
    MS - Defender
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
I am looking at the Asus ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming Wifi and the ROG Maximus XIII Hero. Just tried to download a manual again and that page is not available, maybe they are updating their manual to include the bios.

If you do not need a TPM-SPI module if it can be handled by the bios and cpu, why is there this TPM header on the motherboard? There has to be some advantage for it or they would save the money and not put that header on the motherboard.

Asus website does show this TPM-SPI module on their website, but have you tried to buy one? Either it is out of stock or you can find it on Ebay for a ridiculous price.

View attachment 2219
I have been very happy with my Maximus VI Hero, maybe I now need to look beyond ASUS.

Ak
The actually chip is only really needed if you want to turn on Bitlocker for drive encryption .....which I don't have any need for it myself.
You don't need this chip to install Windows 11 ...just need it turned on in bios
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro (x64) 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-14900KS @5.9MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus Apex Z790
    Memory
    G.Skill DDR5 - 7800 - F5-7800J3646H16X2-TZ5RK 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition
    Sound Card
    Integrated ROG SupremeFX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@165Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 PRO 500GB - M.2 NVMe,
    Samsung 970 EVO SSD 1TB - M.2 NVMe,
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB,
    WD Black 1TB Performance Hard Drive
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 1200 P2 80+ PLATINUM
    Case
    Phanteks Enthoo Primo Special Edition
    Cooling
    ASUS ROG Ryujin II 360 RGB all-in-one liquid CPU cooler 360mm Radiator
    Keyboard
    Razer Huntsman Elite
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    950 / 40
    Browser
    FireFox, and Chrome
    Antivirus
    MalwareBytes Pro / Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro (x64) 23H2 22631.2792
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K @5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Apex X (Z370)
    Memory
    G.Skill DDR4 F4-3200C14D - 32GBGTZSW
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA Geforce GTX 2080 Ti FTW3
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    55" LG 4K Ultra HD TV
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 PRO M.2 512GB, Samsung SSD 850 EVO 1TB, WD Black 1TB Performance Desktop Hard Drive
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2, 80+ GOLD 850W
    Case
    Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower Chassis
    Cooling
    Corsair H150i PRO RGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler,360mm
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Mouse
    Keyboard
    Logitech K350 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    400 / 20
    Browser
    FireFox / Chrome
    Antivirus
    MalwareBytes Pro / Windows Defender / SAS Pro
The actually chip is only really needed if you want to turn on Bitlocker for drive encryption .....which I don't have any need for it myself.
You don't need this chip to install Windows 11 ...just need it turned on in bios
I've never used Bitlocker, but I believe that firmware TPM (Intel PTT, AMF fTPM) supports it.

One problem with using Bitlocker with a firmware TPM is that if something happens to make the motherboard unusable, the encrypted data are lost. Clearing the firmware TPM also seems likely to lose the data.

If you use a physical module, I presume that you could switch it to a new motherboard and preserve the encrypted data. One potential complication is that the new motherboard would have to use the same type of module. There are at least two types (14-1 and 20-1). I don't know whether that's a real issue.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
I have used Bitlocker on my Maximus VI Hero motherboard with an I7-4770K CPU running Windows 10 Pro to encrypt a drive but never drive C:, don't want to risk accidentally losing that drive.

I am starting to look at the TPM header as being required when a CPU does not have it built in, similar to graphics. The difference seems to be that the TPM headers & modules have no standard and you will need to get the module from the motherboard manufacturer.

Ak
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Window 11 Pro (Preview)
(snip)

I am starting to look at the TPM header as being required when a CPU does not have it built in, similar to graphics. The difference seems to be that the TPM headers & modules have no standard and you will need to get the module from the motherboard manufacturer.

Ak
Is the firmware TPM a function of the CPU or the motherboard's chipset? (Not a rhetorical question.) Is the "firmware" the same as the EEPROM used for the BIOS?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
I've never used Bitlocker, but I believe that firmware TPM (Intel PTT, AMF fTPM) supports it.

One problem with using Bitlocker with a firmware TPM is that if something happens to make the motherboard unusable, the encrypted data are lost. Clearing the firmware TPM also seems likely to lose the data.

If you use a physical module, I presume that you could switch it to a new motherboard and preserve the encrypted data. One potential complication is that the new motherboard would have to use the same type of module. There are at least two types (14-1 and 20-1). I don't know whether that's a real issue.
The firmware tpm indeed provides all TPM functions so bitlocker works for it.

As for the the data being lost if the motherboard craps out, you just have to prepare for that. You can create a recovery key that allows your to decrypt bitlocker encrypted files on a windows system.

For physical models, it must have true NVRAM - it can't be battery powered NVRAM (like your computer CMOS) or all is lost. But you can create a recovery key for this as well.

If you create a recovery key, which is encrypted by password, you can store that on a secure usb jump drive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Photoshop/Game/tinker build
    CPU
    Intel i9 1300KS
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z90 Dark Hero
    Memory
    64GB (2x32) G.skill Trident Z5 RGB 6400 MHZ 32-39-39
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio, Vanatoo Transparent One; Klipsch R-12SWi Sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme, Raid 0: 1TB 850 EVO + 1TB 860 EVO SSD. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black
    PSU
    850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    EKWB 360 Nucleus Dark AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 1 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan
    Keyboard
    Glorious GMMK TKL mechanical, lubed modded
    Mouse
    Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    380 Mb/s down, 12 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Macrium Reflect 8 ;-)
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
I am not sure TPM is necessary for Bitlocker. I used Bitlocker a while ago, definitely before TPM appeared. I encrypted a USB drive and had to enter a password to unlock it. I could do it on any Windows machine. I'm quite certain most of them did not have TPM enabled. In fact, I have just recently enabled it on my main machine here because I wanted to try out Windows 11 and I read that TPM was required.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-10600K
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix Z490-A Gaming
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung U32J59x 32" 4K
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
You are correct, Bitlocker is for disk device encryption and requires a TPM. What I said on "bitlocker encrypted files" should have been "EFS encryted files". You can have EFS encryption of files and folders in Pro and Enterprise editions. With Bitlocker you also create a recovery key when you encrypt the drive. I
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Photoshop/Game/tinker build
    CPU
    Intel i9 1300KS
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z90 Dark Hero
    Memory
    64GB (2x32) G.skill Trident Z5 RGB 6400 MHZ 32-39-39
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio, Vanatoo Transparent One; Klipsch R-12SWi Sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme, Raid 0: 1TB 850 EVO + 1TB 860 EVO SSD. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black
    PSU
    850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    EKWB 360 Nucleus Dark AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 1 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan
    Keyboard
    Glorious GMMK TKL mechanical, lubed modded
    Mouse
    Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    380 Mb/s down, 12 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Macrium Reflect 8 ;-)
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
I know nothing about Bitlocker.

One thing I've noticed on my laptop, which has PTT (Intel firmware TPM) enabled by default: the Windows 10 PIN is stored in the TPM. My other Win10 machines have PINs, but the TPM was not enabled.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
I've never used Bitlocker, but I believe that firmware TPM (Intel PTT, AMF fTPM) supports it.

As one who does use (is using) BitLocker I can definitively state firmware TPM (Intel PTT) is supported (works).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.
I am not sure TPM is necessary for Bitlocker. I used Bitlocker a while ago, definitely before TPM appeared. I encrypted a USB drive and had to enter a password to unlock it. I could do it on any Windows machine. I'm quite certain most of them did not have TPM enabled. In fact, I have just recently enabled it on my main machine here because I wanted to try out Windows 11 and I read that TPM was required.
I've not tried this myself (my system supports firmware TPM) but there is a way to use BitLocker with a TPM module, but it's going to be a pain in the @ss each time you boot the PC ...

Because you don’t have a TPM, you must choose to either enter a password each time your PC boots, or provide a USB flash drive. If you provide a USB flash drive here, you’ll need that flash drive connected to your PC each time you boot up your PC to access the files.

Source: How to Use BitLocker Without a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.
I was notified that the ASUS TPM SPI module that I was searching for is in stock and I ordered it. I still have not decided on which on ASUS motherboard I want, but the ones I am looking at, Intel or AMD, all have a header for this TPM module. If it turns out I don't need it, there is always EBay. :cool:

Ak
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 11 Pro (Preview)
I was notified that the ASUS TPM SPI module that I was searching for is in stock and I ordered it. I still have not decided on which on ASUS motherboard I want, but the ones I am looking at, Intel or AMD, all have a header for this TPM module. If it turns out I don't need it, there is always EBay. :cool:

Ak
I'd bet that any motherboard new enough to use any CPU that is on the current support list will include a firmware TPM.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
I'd bet that any motherboard new enough to use any CPU that is on the current support list will include a firmware TPM.
They will because the firmware TPM is in the chipset, not the motherboard, and all modern chipsets that support those CPUs on the list have firmware TPM. It costs the MB manufacturers nothing to expose a setting in the BIOS to enable it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Photoshop/Game/tinker build
    CPU
    Intel i9 1300KS
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z90 Dark Hero
    Memory
    64GB (2x32) G.skill Trident Z5 RGB 6400 MHZ 32-39-39
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio, Vanatoo Transparent One; Klipsch R-12SWi Sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme, Raid 0: 1TB 850 EVO + 1TB 860 EVO SSD. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black
    PSU
    850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    EKWB 360 Nucleus Dark AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 1 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan
    Keyboard
    Glorious GMMK TKL mechanical, lubed modded
    Mouse
    Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    380 Mb/s down, 12 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Macrium Reflect 8 ;-)
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox

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