AMD’s branch prediction optimizations, which have significantly improved gaming performance for Ryzen 9000 “Zen 5” and Ryzen 7000 CPUs, are now accessible in Windows 11 23H2.
No Need to Upgrade to Windows 11 24H2: Windows Update Adds Branch Prediction Enhancements to Windows 11 23H2 for Better Game Performance on Ryzen 9000 “Zen 5” CPUs
A few days ago, AMD revealed that it was developing a new branch prediction optimization patch that was set to roll out with Windows 11 24H2. Early performance tests have shown that this update indeed provides enhanced gaming performance compared to what was seen in initial reviews and AMD’s own benchmarks. However, users were required to upgrade to a new version of the Windows OS, which could present some issues, especially for those who use their machines for more than just gaming.
Now, AMD has confirmed that these same branch prediction optimizations will be backported to Windows 11 23H2. The update will be available under the Windows Update menu in the “Optional Updates” section as “KB5041587,” making it easier for those who haven’t upgraded or opted into the 24H2 preview.
Early testing indicates that AMD’s Ryzen 9000 “Zen 5” and Ryzen 7000 “Zen 4” CPUs can achieve up to double-digit performance gains. However, the performance uplift varies depending on the game. In some titles, the improvements are marginal and within the margin of error. Nevertheless, the performance is better than what users experienced at launch, making the new AM5 Desktop CPUs a slightly better value for gaming than before.
As both AMD Ryzen 9000 “Zen 5” and Ryzen 7000 “Zen 4” Desktop CPUs receive this performance boost, their relative differences remain consistent with earlier benchmarks. The new “Admin” privileges in Windows 11 have also been observed to deliver a certain level of performance enhancement in games, applicable to all processors, including those from AMD and Intel.
By Andrej Kovacevic
Updated on 28th August 2024