Test Setup
Please read our test setup information carefully below, we are using Windows 11 Pro, and each testbed is customized for each CPU platform being compared. There are common components.
System Config
Take note that the same G.SKILL DDR5-6000 memory kit is being used on the Intel Alder Lake platform, Intel Raptor Lake platform, and AMD AM5 platform. We are using the same memory profile on all systems at the same frequency and timings. We have updated the BIOSs on every motherboard to the absolute latest BIOS versions. We are using the same CPU cooler MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360 AIO Cooler on all CPUs. We are also using the same GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Founders Edition video card on all systems. We have updated the chipset drivers to the latest versions.
Note that we installed a fresh copy of Windows 11 Pro and applications and games on each platform tested With each new platform, we set up, a new fresh copy of Windows and games was put on. We are using the latest Windows 11 Pro 22H2 on the Raptor Lake platform to benefit from Intel Thread Director 2 as recommended by Intel.
Also, take note of the motherboard settings we have disabled. Firstly, we did set each motherboard to its “Optimized Defaults” before testing each CPU. We utilize the default motherboard settings across all CPUs. We set the CPU Cooler option in the BIOS to AIO, which is what is being used. However, we did specifically disable PCI-Express Resizable BAR in the BIOS. The reason for this is so that we can isolate CPU performance only when it comes to gaming performance differences. We did not want Resizable BAR to add to, or interfere with the CPU performance in games. We wanted to isolate the CPU differences so you see what the real CPU performance is bringing to the table, not what PCIe Resizable BAR is adding to it.
The same reasoning is also why we disabled Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling on the GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE in Windows. In addition, Virtual Based Security is also disabled so it doesn’t interfere with performance. We are using the “High Performance” power profile on all CPUs.
Again, we want to isolate CPU performance, and this was the goal of turning these features off. In our GPU reviews, we ALWAYS have Resizable BAR enabled, so if you want to see what performance in games is with that feature enabled, all of our GPU reviews have it enabled and will continue to in the future.