Windows 11 24H2 is a welcome update for Zen CPU users, heralding gaming performance boosts as high as 30% in some cases. The only major caveat is that it’s still in testing for Windows Preview Insiders and not widely available. Fortunately, AMD has revealed the same branch prediction optimisations are now included in Windows 11 23H2.
You’ll still need to check your Windows Update for KB5041587, but the beauty is that it’s available right now. As an optional patch, it likely won’t rock the boat half as much as an annual drop. I don’t know about you, but no matter how much Microsoft says an update is stable, I’m inclined to wait it out as developers iron out the kinks.
To install the new patch, go to Windows Update, click Advanced Options, and select Optional updates. There, you should find KB5041587 primed and ready.
It’s not just the best CPUs that benefit. Installing KB5041587 includes the same gaming performance uplifts across Ryzen 5000, 7000, and 9000 processors. Even some Intel chips like Core i5-14600K gain a good amount. In our tests, we didn’t see a huge jump for Ryzen 5 9600X, with Cyberpunk 2077 frame rates going in the wrong direction. Ryzen 7 7800X3D, on the other hand, stormed ahead with up to 7% greater average frame rates.
Other benchmarks show that it’s entirely game-dependent as well as the individual chip. While Gears 5, Rocket League, and F1 24 received a notable nudge, Halo Infinite saw the faintest increase, and Skull and Bones barely moved – although that doesn’t seem like much of a loss. It’s the true definition of your mileage may vary, but it’s a free uplift regardless.
So far, AMD Ryzen 9000 release has been a bit of a disaster. Piggybacking off lukewarm generational lifts, lofty prices left many disillusioned. MSRPs are quickly coming down, but it might be too late as Intel readies its Core Ultra lineup. Personally, I can’t see small fps improvements shining a better light here when 7800X3D benefits the most and is cheaper.
Ryzen 9000X3D could steer Team Red back on track, but delays mean we won’t find out until CES 2025. If the past indicates anything, it could be stellar for gaming with the extra V-Cache, but lower clock speeds will likely leave it lacking in productivity. This is where Ryzen 9 9950X and 9900 come to life, prioritising AI workloads above all else.
