AMD has published a blog post about why customers may be disappointed in the gaming performance of its new Ryzen 9000 Series “Zen 5” processors, and with it comes the news that a new Windows update has been in the works at Microsoft, one that includes optimized AMD-specific branch prediction code to improve the performance of multiple generations of Zen processors, including those based on the Zen 5, Zen 4, and Zen 3 architectures. The new update, which is said to unlock the best performance for these CPUs, will be available in Windows 11 version 24H2 in preview through the Windows Insider Program (Release Preview Channel – Build 26100) or by downloading the ISO here.
Check out our Deep Dive video Commentary and Analysis Below of the news:
AMD on why reviewer data isn’t matching up with its own numbers:
- “The AMD gaming test suite includes a broad set of esports, AAA, and popular older games, which are a combination of CPU- and GPU-bound titles. Game performance conclusions can be influenced significantly by the makeup of the test suite.”
- “AMD tested Intel configurations using comparable DDR5-6000 memory as well as Intel default settings-baseline power profile which can have a small impact on gaming performance.”
- “AMD also tests with Windows Virtualization-based Security (VBS) enabled. This is the default Windows behavior and Microsoft recommends activating VBS to improve security, however it can affect gaming performance.”
- “The ‘Zen 5’ architecture incorporates a wider branch prediction capacity than prior ‘Zen’ generations. Our automated test methodology was run in ‘Admin’ mode which produced results that reflect branch prediction code optimizations not present in the version of Windows reviewers used to test Ryzen 9000 Series.”
Performance improvements that the update will bring include:
| Ryzen 9 9950X24H2 | Ryzen 9 9950X23H2 | Performance Delta | |
| Far Cry 6 | 183 | 162 | +13% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 200 | 188 | +7% |
| Hitman 3 | 358 | 347 | +3% |
| Watch Dogs: Legion | 165 | 165 | No change |
| Cinebench 2024 Single Thread | 140 | 140 | No change |
| Procyon Office | 10,288 | 9,829 | +6% |
AMD noted:
“Zen 5” will see the biggest boost, but this Windows update will improve performance for “Zen 4” and “Zen 3” as well. We’re collaborating with Microsoft to roll out this optional update to all Windows 11 users soon.
…the Ryzen 9000 Series delivers leadership performance across content creation, productivity and AI applications. On a generational basis, Ryzen 9000 Series delivers a ~10% improvement in productivity and creative workloads, ~25% improvement in AI workloads, and 5-8% improvement in gaming over the Ryzen 7000 Series.
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Discussion (19 replies)
Join Discussion →
Windows 11......
That's nice to see. More fine wine.
"Grimlakin, post: 88497, member: 215" wrote:That's nice to see. More fine wine.
I think most folks would rather have the performance they paid for at release, or very close to. Just IMO ;)
Free performance is nice, but, this will also improve performance on zen 3, and 4. Therefore, this problem has existed for 4 years, and has been holding back CPU performance for 4 years, only to realize there's an issue now.
What this won't change probably is the scaling still between Zen 4 and 5, if both get a boost, then they will both still have the same performance difference between them, which is subpar.
I have put up a video in regards to this AMD Community Blog Post:
[embedded media]
"Brent_Justice, post: 88503, member: 3" wrote:Free performance is nice, but, this will also improve performance on zen 3, and 4. Therefore, this problem has existed for 4 years, and has been holding back CPU performance for 4 years, only to realize there's an issue now.
This is my problem with the whole thing going on with the new 9000 series cpu's. They just keep coming up with excuses that supposedly slow down their performance, and now they find extra performance on older hardware kind of by accident. AMD just keeps going around in circles. At least their chips aren't degrading.
Maybe I'm missing the boat here... I mean seriously. Less power, same cores, more performance... That seems like win's all around.
That and they discovered an issue with windows scheduling across multiple CCD's... that they didn't think was an issue...
Though I will say in reading about X3d cores and all it seems like big little over on the intel side just with a different name. (I KNOW it isn't but the scheduling is similar.)
"Grimlakin, post: 88513, member: 215" wrote:That and they discovered an issue with windows scheduling across multiple CCD's... that they didn't think was an issue...
It affects single-CCD SKUs as well. L1T described it as being related to virtualization protection features that could use tuning such as 'Core Isolation'.
for those interested in AMD's explanation
[embedded media]
"Niner51, post: 88518, member: 106" wrote:
Yep, saw this one on Reddit this morning.
Yeah, but this will only happen on Windows 11 and ironically both my 5800X3D machines are running 10 and I'm still not in the mood to switch.
My laptop with a 13900HX has 11 and it's fine but I prefer 10 still.
"Brent_Justice, post: 88503, member: 3" wrote:Free performance is nice, but, this will also improve performance on zen 3, and 4. Therefore, this problem has existed for 4 years, and has been holding back CPU performance for 4 years, only to realize there's an issue now.
What this won't change probably is the scaling still between Zen 4 and 5, if both get a boost, then they will both still have the same performance difference between them, which is subpar.
I have put up a video in regards to this AMD Community Blog Post:
[embedded media]
Totally agreed.
It won't help the underwhelming Zen Generation to Generation performance uplift, unless - that is - the Windows patch has an unequal impact on the different Zen generations.
I could totally picture a scenario where Zen5 benefits more from the patch than Zen4 or Zen3 do. We have seen stuff like that in the past.
It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Edit:
Side note. I hadn't realized you guys did videos until just now :p
"Zarathustra, post: 88526, member: 203" wrote:Side note. I hadn't realized you guys did videos until just now :p
Hahahahahahahaha, where you been? But seriously though, like you said in one of the other threads, life just gets in the way. So I get it.
It has been tested now, this video is a must watch
[embedded media]
"Brent_Justice, post: 88555, member: 3" wrote:It has been tested now, this video is a must watch
[embedded media]
Just finished watching and wow, there are some eye-openers for sure. Not really sure what to say except this seems far from over. Can't wait for that Ryzen 9 X3D to launch and see how testing for it goes.
Discussion (19 replies)
Join Discussion →Windows 11......
That's nice to see. More fine wine.
I think most folks would rather have the performance they paid for at release, or very close to. Just IMO ;)
Free performance is nice, but, this will also improve performance on zen 3, and 4. Therefore, this problem has existed for 4 years, and has been holding back CPU performance for 4 years, only to realize there's an issue now.
What this won't change probably is the scaling still between Zen 4 and 5, if both get a boost, then they will both still have the same performance difference between them, which is subpar.
I have put up a video in regards to this AMD Community Blog Post:
[embedded media]
This is my problem with the whole thing going on with the new 9000 series cpu's. They just keep coming up with excuses that supposedly slow down their performance, and now they find extra performance on older hardware kind of by accident. AMD just keeps going around in circles. At least their chips aren't degrading.
Maybe I'm missing the boat here... I mean seriously. Less power, same cores, more performance... That seems like win's all around.
That and they discovered an issue with windows scheduling across multiple CCD's... that they didn't think was an issue...
Though I will say in reading about X3d cores and all it seems like big little over on the intel side just with a different name. (I KNOW it isn't but the scheduling is similar.)
It affects single-CCD SKUs as well. L1T described it as being related to virtualization protection features that could use tuning such as 'Core Isolation'.
for those interested in AMD's explanation
[embedded media]
Yep, saw this one on Reddit this morning.
Yeah, but this will only happen on Windows 11 and ironically both my 5800X3D machines are running 10 and I'm still not in the mood to switch.
My laptop with a 13900HX has 11 and it's fine but I prefer 10 still.
Totally agreed.
It won't help the underwhelming Zen Generation to Generation performance uplift, unless - that is - the Windows patch has an unequal impact on the different Zen generations.
I could totally picture a scenario where Zen5 benefits more from the patch than Zen4 or Zen3 do. We have seen stuff like that in the past.
It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Edit:
Side note. I hadn't realized you guys did videos until just now :p
Hahahahahahahaha, where you been? But seriously though, like you said in one of the other threads, life just gets in the way. So I get it.
It has been tested now, this video is a must watch
[embedded media]
Just finished watching and wow, there are some eye-openers for sure. Not really sure what to say except this seems far from over. Can't wait for that Ryzen 9 X3D to launch and see how testing for it goes.