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Purchasing a used AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D processor can result in an automatic ban from the game Valuing due to the way Riot Games’ anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard, utilizes Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technology to identify hardware. As reported by Heise Online, this issue arises because the anti-cheat system links player bans to the unique identifier of the TPM chip integrated into the processor, effectively carrying a user’s "cheating history" to the next owner.
Riot Vanguard Uses TPM Identifiers to Ban Machines
Riot Vanguard relies on the TPM module to ensure the integrity of the system, verifying that the firmware, bootloader, and operating system remain unmodified. In many modern processors, including the AMD Ryzen series, the TPM is integrated directly into the CPU silicon. Because this hardware component contains a unique, unchangeable identifier known as an Endorsement Key, the anti-cheat software can create a persistent record of a specific machine.
When a player is banned for cheating in Valuing, the game’s developer, Riot Games, flags the unique key associated with the processor’s TPM. Consequently, if that CPU is sold and installed in a new computer, the anti-cheat system recognizes the identifier and applies the existing ban to the new owner. This identification persists even if the buyer performs a clean install of Windows or swaps the motherboard, as the record is tied to the processor itself.
Duration and Scope of Processor Bans
While these bans are tied to the hardware, they are typically not permanent. According to information shared by a Riot Games team member on Twitter and cited by Heise Online, CPU-based bans on the blacklist generally expire after approximately four months.
The scope of these bans is also specific to the title where the violation occurred. A processor flagged for cheating in Valuing does not necessarily carry a ban for other games published by Riot Games, such as League of Legends, unless the previous owner was also caught cheating in those specific titles. However, the four-month window is not universal; Riot Games reserves the right to impose longer or even permanent bans in cases of severe or repeated offenses.
Risks for Second-Hand Hardware Buyers
The integration of security modules into core hardware creates new challenges for the secondary market. Because the TPM key is immutable, there is no standard way for a buyer to "reset" the processor’s history.
One theoretical workaround involves disabling the firmware-based TPM and installing a separate, physical TPM module on the motherboard, provided the user’s hardware supports it. However, it remains unclear whether Valuing and Riot Vanguard accept external TPM modules, as developers may restrict them to prevent users from simply rotating hardware to bypass security measures. For buyers who find themselves in possession of a blacklisted processor, the most practical recourse is to seek a refund from the seller or, if necessary, resell the chip to a user who does not intend to play games protected by Riot Vanguard.
Intel Processors May Face Similar Hardware Tracking
Does this issue affect Intel processors as well?
Yes, the mechanism is not limited to AMD. Recent Intel processors that support Windows 11 also feature integrated TPM technology, meaning they could theoretically be subject to similar hardware-based tracking if an anti-cheat system uses the TPM’s unique identifier to blacklist specific chips.
Is there a way to clear the TPM identifier?
No. The Endorsement Key within the TPM is designed to be permanent and cannot be modified or reset by the user. Because this key is generated at the factory and stored in a way that prevents it from being read or copied, it serves as a persistent hardware identity that remains with the processor throughout its lifespan.
Could this affect hardware used in criminal investigations? This creates a potential, albeit rare, scenario where a new owner might need to prove they were not in possession of the hardware at the time of a recorded incident.