AMD’s recent launch of its Zen 5 desktop processors has not unfolded as smoothly as anticipated, with the Ryzen 9000 series receiving a lukewarm reception. Despite a modest performance boost over its predecessor, the Ryzen 9000 series has left many consumers feeling underwhelmed, leading to disappointing sales figures. However, it is important to note that the Zen 5 architecture does indeed offer improved speed compared to Zen 4. The Ryzen 9 9950X stands out as a powerhouse for multi-threaded tasks, while the Ryzen 7 9700X and Ryzen 5 9600X serve as solid options for mainstream users. Each of these processors has its merits, ensuring that users will find value in their capabilities.
The Ryzen 7 7700X is priced just below 0, whereas the 9700X commands a 30% higher price at 4, despite not delivering a corresponding 30% increase in performance. During testing, results did not align with AMD’s claims, a sentiment echoed by numerous reviewers. This discrepancy was traced back to AMD utilizing a ‘full admin’ account on their test systems, which allowed for specific optimizations in branch prediction that were not available under standard user accounts.
Performance Insights
The situation improved following the KB5041587 Windows update, alongside BIOS adjustments from motherboard manufacturers that introduced a 105 W TDP mode for the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X, which typically operate under a 65 W limit. To assess the impact of these changes, a comprehensive retest of the processors was conducted.
For those seeking a quick summary: the updates yielded negligible differences in performance across the games and applications commonly used for CPU benchmarking.
Test Procedure
The testing setup was meticulously prepared to ensure optimal conditions for evaluating the Windows update and new BIOS settings. The AM5 test platform was completely reassembled, with a fresh installation of Windows 11 and adherence to AMD’s testing protocols, including enabling core parking for processors with dual CCDs.
Core parking is particularly relevant for the Ryzen 9 7900X3D and Ryzen 9 7950X3D, as it directs all threads to the primary CCD when a game is detected, effectively ‘parking’ the secondary CCD. This approach aims to maximize the benefits of the 3D V-Cache, although its necessity for the new Zen 5 dual-CCD chips remains somewhat ambiguous.
Single CCD Results
Focusing first on the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 9700X, the expectation was that the Windows update would enhance their performance, especially when operating under a 105 W TDP limit. However, the results indicated minimal gains in gaming scenarios, with only slight improvements in 1% lows. The chips were not fully utilized, which is typical for gaming workloads. Notably, significant performance increases were observed only in heavy multi-threaded applications, but these gains did not justify the increased power consumption.
Dual CCD Results
In contrast, the dual CCD processors, the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X, did not receive a new power limit but benefited from the Windows update. Testing revealed that the branch prediction optimizations had no discernible impact on gaming performance. Interestingly, enabling core parking resulted in poorer performance in several titles, suggesting that this feature may not be beneficial for all scenarios.
For content creation and multi-threaded benchmarks, the Windows update did not yield any significant improvements, with variations falling within the margins of error. Consequently, both the single and dual CCD processors appear to have reached their performance ceiling, which is acceptable given their robust capabilities.
While PC gamers may not be overly concerned, those on the older AM4 platform are likely awaiting the release of 3D V-Cache variants before committing to an upgrade. Meanwhile, users already on AM5 can take comfort in the performance they currently possess. As for future releases, such as the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, expectations should be tempered, as the 9700X has shown only marginal gains over the 7700X. Enthusiasts may find solace in the prospect of Zen 6 on the horizon.
