AMD and Microsoft fix Ryzen performance in Windows 11

An AMD Ryzen Pro 5000 processor inside a laptop

(Image credit: AMD)

published 22 October 2021

AMD and Microsoft have released fixes for performance issues impacting Ryzen processors in Windows 11. The fixes appeared in an update on AMD's website addressing the problem.

Two fixes resolve two separate issues that slowed Ryzen performance on Windows 11 systems. The first is an update to Windows itself. KB5006746 addresses a performance issue with L3 cache latency that slowed some games by up to 15%, according to AMD. Other memory-subsystem-sensitive applications could see a 5% slowdown.

AMD: Ryzen CPU owners should avoid Windows 11 Cisco and AMD help modernise defence industry IT infrastructure Weekly threat roundup: Exchange Server, AMD CPUs, Azure Cosmos DB AMD Zen+, Zen 2 vulnerable to Meltdown-style attacks

An AMD chipset driver update, 3.10.08.506, addresses a second issue concerning a lack of support for AMD's preferred cores feature, which chooses the most appropriate core for thread scheduling. This issue was more likely to affect processors using over eight cores above 65 watts.

Issues with Ryzen processors on Windows 11 emerged earlier this month, when AMD warned of decreased performance. The problems prompted AMD to advise users against upgrading to Windows 11.

The hardware problems were the latest disappointment surrounding Windows 11, which launched in confusion after Microsoft revealed the operating system would not support some processor hardware. This forced the company to tweak its compatibility requirements for the new system, identifying some PCs running on seventh-generation Intel and AMD Zen 1 processors that it could support.

AMD first launched Ryzen processors in 2017, and it now supports up to 16 cores and has been a major contender in the PC space against Intel's x86 chips. It recently launched the 5000 Pro series of chips for business laptops, which AMD claims outperform Intel's 11th generation options.

Danny Bradbury has been a print journalist specialising in technology since 1989 and a freelance writer since 1994. He has written for national publications on both sides of the Atlantic and has won awards for his investigative cybersecurity journalism work and his arts and culture writing.

Danny writes about many different technology issues for audiences ranging from consumers through to software developers and CIOs. He also ghostwrites articles for many C-suite business executives in the technology sector and has worked as a presenter for multiple webinars and podcasts.