Summary: There have been reports that Windows 11 is causing performance issues in some AMD Ryzen processor-powered systems. This blog discusses the problem in detail and the steps Microsoft and AMD have been taking to resolve the issue.
Microsoft rolled out the Windows 11 OS on October 5, 2021 as a free upgrade for eligible Windows devices. However, some users using devices with AMD Ryzen processors have reported decline in system performance after Windows 11 upgrade. The Ryzen processors are one of the most prominent processors after Intel. They made their presence noticed in a magnified manner with the launch of the second-gen Ryzen processors.
The impact of Windows 11 having issues with Ryzen processor-powered systems has instigated both Microsoft and AMD to look up to the solutions to resolve the issue. Microsoft has announced that it will roll out a Windows update to resolve the performance issues of AMD Ryzen processors by the end of this month. AMD is also planning to come up with a solution later this month to resolve the issue.
What are the Issues?
Microsoft and AMD are working together to resolve the issues. They have determined that the AMD processors that are compatible with Windows 11 may show decreased performance in some specific applications. The known performance changes as determined by AMD and Microsoft are as under:
While linking the issue with L3 cache latency and Preferred Core of the Ryzen processors, AMD has clarified that the magnitude of the impact is dependent on the applications running on the system. This issue has a greater impact on the games. The Chip giant discloses that approximately 15% decline may occur in the performance of their processors if Windows 11 is installed.
Admittedly, due to the increase in measured and functional L3 cache latency, there will be an expected reduction of 3-5% in performance of some applications, specifically games applications. Further, the AMD’s Preferred Core is facing issues whereby it may not preferentially schedule threads on the fastest core of the processor. The performance issues caused by Windows 11 are expected to be more perceptible in systems with more than eight-core processors and TDP (Thermal Design Power) exceeding 65W.
Is there a Solution to this Issue?
Microsoft and AMD have been investigating the problem. The two companies have announced that a Windows update and a software update will soon be provided to resolve the problem.
The software update is further expected to resolve the compatibility issues between Windows 11 and Intel’s Networking Software, Chromium-based Cốc Cốc browser (focused on the Vietnamese market), and Oracle VirtualBox platform.
Note: In case you’re facing any data loss situation after upgrading to Windows 11, you can use a free data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery for Windows to recover your data.
Conclusion
It is evident that Windows 11 is causing performance issues in systems having AMD Ryzen processors. However, not all of the Ryzen processor-powered PCs are affected. Moreover, both Microsoft and AMD have announced to resolve the issue through a software update. In the meanwhile, refrain from updating your existing Windows OS if a Ryzen processor powers your system, but don’t lose hope as you will soon be able to enjoy Windows 11. The issue is temporary and will be resolved soon.
