Microsoft testing fix for AMD performance issues on Windows 11
Microsoft appears close to fixing the L3 caching issue affecting Windows 11 PCs with AMD Ryzen processors.
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What you need to know
Microsoft releasedWindows 11 Build 22000.282to Insiders in the Release Preview and Beta Channels on October 15, 2021. That update includes a fix for an L3 caching issue that can affect the performance ofWindows 11PCs withAMD CPUs. The bug can cause performance drops of up to 5% on affected systems. An earlier report indicates that a fix for the L3 caching issue could roll out to general users on October 19, 2021.
“We fixed an L3 caching issue that might affect performance in some applications on devices that have AMD Ryzen processors after upgrading to Windows 11 (original release),” says Microsoft in therelease notesof Build 22000.282.
Microsoft’s release notes only specifically mention AMD’s Ryzen processors. Some other CPUs from AMD officially support Windows 11, including a handful of Threadripper chips, but it appears that the L3 caching issue only affects Ryzen chips.
A fix for a separate issue affecting Windows 11 systems with AMD CPUs could roll out later this week. The bug is related to AMD’s preferred core technology, which shifts threads to the fastest core on a processor. It can cause performance drops of 10-15%. A cumulative update to Windows 11reportedly made the issue worse. The fix for that problem is expected in a patch from AMD on October 21, 2021.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
