AMD's latest Ryzen 9000 series processors are receiving an unexpected performance upgrade thanks to a new microcode update. This enhancement comes as welcome news to owners of these cutting-edge CPUs, addressing a notable latency issue that had been identified by tech enthusiasts and reviewers.
The update, delivered through AGESA (AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture) version 1.2.0.2, significantly reduces inter-CCD (Core Complex Die) latencies. Early reports from the enthusiast community indicate a dramatic improvement:
- Cross-CCD latencies reduced from approximately 180ns to just 75ns
- Some users reporting latency drops from 200ns to 95ns
While the real-world performance gains may be modest, with Cinebench R23 scores improving by about 500 points (roughly 1% increase), the fix demonstrates AMD's commitment to refining their latest architecture.
Key points about the update:
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Targeted Fix : Unlike previous updates, this one specifically addresses Ryzen 9000 series issues and does not apply to older Ryzen 7000 processors.
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Availability : Currently in beta, with ASUS being the first to release compatible BIOS versions. Other manufacturers are expected to follow suit shortly.
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Root Cause : The high latencies were attributed to new tuning parameters implemented by AMD for specific workload optimizations.
This update follows a series of challenges faced by AMD post-Zen 5 release:
- Initial launch delays
- Performance issues partly related to Windows 11 optimizations
- Lower-than-expected sales compared to previous generations
Looking ahead, AMD is pinning hopes on their upcoming Ryzen 9000 X3D models with 3D V-Cache to reinvigorate interest in the Zen 5 architecture. Additionally, the imminent release of the X870 chipset and new motherboards may spur demand for Socket AM5 processors.
For Ryzen 9000 owners, this update represents a free performance boost and showcases AMD's responsiveness to user feedback. As always, those wary of potential instabilities may want to wait for non-beta BIOS releases before applying the update.
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| The performance metrics grid illustrates the improved latency and efficiency of AMD's Ryzen 9000 processors following the microcode update |