Microsoft’s new Windows 11 24H2 update is bringing a welcome performance boost to AMD’s latest Zen 4 and Zen 5 processors. Early tests by various outlets, including HardwareUnboxed, have revealed significant performance improvements for both processor families. The results highlight the potential impact of this update on AMD’s recent CPU releases.
HardwareUnboxed’s testing showed a 10% average performance increase for the Zen 4-based Ryzen 7 7700X at 1080p across a range of games, compared to the previous Windows 11 23H2 update. The Zen 5-based Ryzen 7 9700X exhibited an even more substantial 11% average performance jump at 1080p with the 24H2 update installed.
These findings raise interesting questions about the timing of AMD’s Zen 5 launch. AMD itself recently acknowledged that its initial claims of performance for the Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 series processors weren’t entirely accurate, citing the use of the Windows 11 24H2 update during their internal testing. Many reviewers, however, were not using this update during their initial testing.
While AMD reported a 9% average performance increase for the Ryzen 9000 series processors internally, reviewers’ initial results didn’t reflect this. The new Windows 11 24H2 update now appears to be bringing CPU performance closer to AMD’s original claims.
This situation highlights the importance of software updates in optimizing hardware performance. It’s clear that the Windows 11 24H2 update significantly impacts the performance of AMD’s latest CPUs.
For users with AMD’s Zen 4 or Zen 5 processors, the Windows 11 24H2 update is likely a worthwhile upgrade. The performance gains, particularly in gaming, are substantial and make this update a valuable enhancement for those seeking optimal performance from their AMD systems.
