I just found out this ONE SETTING can LOWER your FPS... so I did some Windows Benchmarks!!

Summary

This video explores the impact of Windows power plans on CPU performance, particularly for AMD's Ryzen 9 CPUs with a dual CCD layout. The creator tests Windows 11 versions 2322 and 2422, comparing the 'Balanced' and 'High Performance' power plans. Surprisingly, 'Balanced' often outperforms 'High Performance' due to better CPU scheduling. The video also delves into manual CPU affinity settings for optimal gaming performance. Results vary by game, with some benefiting from using only one CCD, especially noticeable on CPUs with 3D V-Cache. The conclusion? For Ryzen 9 dual CCD CPUs, 'Balanced' mode or manual CCD tuning may offer better performance than 'High Performance' mode.

Takeaways

• 😲 The default 'Balanced' power plan in Windows may actually deliver better performance for certain Ryzen CPUs compared to the 'High Performance' plan.
• 🤔 Windows' CPU scheduling is inconsistent, leading to unpredictable performance in games depending on whether it uses one or both CCDs (Core Complex Dies).
• 🎮 In some games, manually setting the CPU to use only the first CCD can significantly improve performance, especially on CPUs like the Ryzen 9 7900X 3D.
• 📊 The 'High Performance' power plan showed a minor 0.7% performance increase on the Ryzen 9 9900X, but a decrease on the Ryzen 9 7900X 3D.
• 💻 Windows and AMD need to improve the chipset drivers and Windows scheduler to better optimize performance for dual CCD Ryzen 9 CPUs.
• 🔧 Manually setting game affinity to use only the first CCD can sometimes yield better performance, particularly in games that are sensitive to latency.
• 🕹️ Some games, like Counter Strike 2 and Cyberpunk 2077, perform better when limited to the first CCD, while others like Spider-Man Remastered benefit from both CCDs.
• 📈 Performance gains from tweaking power plans and CPU affinity can vary widely from game to game, with some showing significant improvements and others minimal differences.
• 💡 The video also serves as a reminder to test different power plans and CPU settings for individual games to find the optimal configuration for your specific CPU.
• 🎁 The creator received gaming mice from Pulsar as a result of their previous coverage, indicating the influence of content creation on product reception and the potential for brand engagement.

Q & A

What was the main focus of the video regarding Windows 11 and Ryzen CPUs?

The video focused on testing the performance impact of different Windows 11 power plans on Ryzen CPUs, specifically Ryzen 9 7900X 3D and 9900X, and how they perform in various games.

What is a Dual CCD Ryzen CPU and why is it significant in the context of the video?

A Dual CCD Ryzen CPU is a processor that has two core complexes. It's significant because these CPUs are sensitive to Windows power plans, and the video discusses how different power plans affect their performance.

What does the 'balanced' power plan setting mean in the context of Ryzen CPUs?

In the context of Ryzen CPUs, the 'balanced' power plan setting is recommended by AMD for better performance due to scheduling, especially for CPUs with a dual CCD layout.

What was the unexpected finding regarding the 'high performance' power plan on Ryzen CPUs?

The unexpected finding was that the 'high performance' power plan did not always deliver the best performance, and in some cases, it could lead to a loss in performance compared to the 'balanced' power plan.

How did the video test the impact of Windows power plans on game performance?

The video tested the impact by running various games on different power plans and also by manually setting CPU affinity to use only the first CCD of each CPU to see how games perform when the scheduler isn't doing its job properly.

What was the performance result when games were locked to use only the first CCD on the tested CPUs?

Locking games to use only the first CCD resulted in performance increases for both the 9900X and 7900X 3D CPUs, with the 7900X 3D showing a more significant improvement in some games.

What was the conclusion regarding the 'balanced' versus 'high performance' power plans for Ryzen 9 CPUs?

The conclusion was that the 'balanced' power plan often provided better performance for dual CCD Ryzen 9 CPUs, while the 'high performance' plan was generally better for other CPUs without this layout.

What was the advice given for users with Ryzen 9 CPUs regarding power plans and game performance?

The advice was to use the 'balanced' power plan for Ryzen 9 CPUs, especially those with a dual CCD layout, and to manually adjust game affinity to the first CCD for certain games to optimize performance.

What was the role of 3D V-Cache in the performance results of the Ryzen 9 7900X 3D CPU?

The 3D V-Cache in the Ryzen 9 7900X 3D CPU contributed to better performance when games were locked to the first CCD, as it provided additional cache that was beneficial for gaming performance.

What was the overall recommendation for Ryzen 9 users based on the video's findings?

The overall recommendation was for Ryzen 9 users, especially those with dual CCD or 3D V-Cache CPUs, to test different power plans and game settings to find the optimal configuration for their specific use case.