AMD has released a blog post explaining the performance differences observed between their internal benchmarks and the results reported by reviewers for their new Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 series processors. While the company acknowledges the discrepancies, it attributes them to various factors, including differing test configurations and the use of a specific Windows Insider update that is expected to enhance gaming performance.
AMD highlights that their internal benchmarks, which show a 9% average generational uplift in 1080p gaming compared to the Ryzen 7000 series and an average of 6% higher performance across over 30 games against competing CPUs, utilize a specific configuration of hardware and software. This includes DDR5-6000 memory, Intel’s new Default Settings (Baseline), and the Windows 11 Version 24H2 Insider update, which requires users to manually enable and install.
While acknowledging the complexity of high-performance PC testing, AMD explains that the use of this specific Windows Insider build, which is currently available through the Windows Insider Program, is crucial for achieving the performance levels observed in their internal benchmarks. The company expects that once Microsoft officially releases this update to all Windows 11 users, gaming performance will see a noticeable improvement.
This explanation comes as a response to the concerns raised by reviewers who have reported performance that falls short of AMD’s internal benchmarks. While reviewers often utilize their own system configurations, AMD’s focus on a specific Windows Insider update suggests that the performance differences might be more related to software optimization than hardware limitations.
This situation raises questions about the importance of standardized testing procedures and the impact of software updates on performance. It also highlights the need for transparency in benchmarking methodologies and the potential for discrepancies between internal and external test results. As the Windows 11 Version 24H2 update becomes more widely available, it will be interesting to see if it addresses the performance discrepancies and aligns reviewer results with AMD’s internal benchmarks.
