Windows 11 Causes TPM Shortages, Scalping: Here's Where to Buy

Windows 11 is Microsoft's first operating system to require a TPM, or Trusted Platform Module, sending frantic would-be upgraders to online retailers in search of hardware modules. Demand has exploded overnight as users try to nab a TPM as quickly as possible to ensure their PC is compatible with the new operating system, but the market is rough. In some cases, TPMs that sold for $15 are now as high as $100 through eBay.

As you can see in the charts below, we took a deep look at the TPM market to see how prices and availability have been impacted in the immediate aftermath of the Windows 11 announcement. We also have a guide to which modules are available for your motherboard. 

The TPM market has largely imploded overnight, with nearly all modules being completely out of stock. Some TPMs are still available, but they're only available at significantly higher pricing. Scalping is already taking hold, just like we currently see in many other areas of the PC market. Whip in the ongoing chip shortages that could make timely restocks more of a dream than a reality, and we could see a prolonged period of TPM shortages set in.  

The good news is that the physical module will be optional on most systems, thanks to all modern Intel and AMD CPUs featuring a firmware-based TPM that operates inside the chips' trusted execution environment. If you have a motherboard that supports CPU-based TPM, you can turn it on via the UEFI/BIOS.

Each motherboard marker typically sells a specific TPM that will work with most, or all, of its motherboards. If you're on the hunt for a physical TPM to get Windows 11 support, here's what the market looks like. 

Gigabyte TPM Modules

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All of Gigabyte's TPM modules are currently out of stock from popular retailers like Newegg and Amazon, and there's no indication when they'll be restocked. 

Gigabyte has two TPM modules available for its motherboards, which we'll detail below. The quick take is that pricing has exploded on eBay: The GC-TPM2.0 module is available for a whopping $89.99, which an absurd price for a simple TPM that retailed for $15. Not to mention the GC-TPM2.0_S, which was priced even higher on eBay at $100 before it went out of stock. That device usually retails for $20.

Gigabyte has two modules available in the U.S. The GC-TPM2.0 supports Intel 200-series boards all the way down to 9-series (Z97 & X99, for example) as well as AM4 and FM2 boards (we assume it supports all AM4 and FM2 boards as Gigabyte doesn't specify chipset models).

The GC-TPM2.0_S is a newer module designed to support the much more recent Intel 300-series chipset boards and X299 for HEDT platforms. For AMD, this TPM module supports all 500, 400, and 300 series boards and TRX40 for Threadripper. This chip doesn't support FM2 motherboards, unlike the other Gigabyte module.

According to retail price histories, the GC-TPM2.0 has had a wide range of prices over the past two years. Pre-2020 saw prices as low as $15, but that increased to a whopping $70 at its peak in mid-2020. As for 2021, pricing was last seen at around $35.

Fortunately, GC-TPM2.0_S appears to have a more steady price over the past few years. Throughout late 2019 and all of 2020, we see pricing as low as $20 and remain relatively consistent there. However, as 2021 rolled in, prices doubled to roughly $50 on average, with peaks of $80 and $90. The most recent price is $44.99.

Asus TPM Module

For Asus users, the choice of buying a TPM is very simple: The TPM-M R2.0 is the lone product. Asus doesn't provide details as to specific motherboard support, so we believe this module is designed to work on all Asus boards that support physical TPMs.

Pricing for the TPM-M R2.0 is significantly better than Gigabyte's offerings by a fair margin. Pricing skyrocketed to $25.16 just before it went out of stock on June 27th. This model is also sold out on eBay. 

MSI TPM Module

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MSI has two TPM modules, with one actually available to buy today from Amazon via a third-party seller.

We have no specifications at all for the TPM V3.19 (B00C2DKC88) — neither MSI's website nor Amazon provide compatibility information. According to customer reviews, it does work with modern Intel boards spanning from H77 to B450.

The MSI MS-4136 is another option. This TPM is designed to fit onto Intel 300-series and AMD 400-series boards. 

MSI does have a newer TPM module, the MS-4462, that supports AMD 500-series and Intel-400 series motherboards, but is only available at MemoryExpress. At least the price is respectable at $19.99

The TPM V3.19 module is available for $24.99, but the MS-4136 is currently out of stock.

Supermicro TPM Module

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Supermicro has two TPM modules: The AOM-TPM-9665V-C and the AOM-TPM-9665V. The 9665V-C is designed to support Intel Core i5/i7 chips and Xeon E3 CPUs. The 9665V model is designed to support any Supermicro board with a TPM header.

You can pick up the AOM-TPM-9665V-C chip right now for $34.85 on Amazon. As for the AOM-TPM-9665V, pricing is rock solid steady at $40.88 as it's only been on sale (from Amazon) since yesterday.

Getting a TPM module for your motherboard is definitely going to be a difficult task, as these devices are either out of stock or incredibly expensive. Generally, anything above $20-25 for a simple TPM is too expensive, but thanks to Windows 11 requirements, expect the situation to get worse before it gets better.