"AMD Zen 5 Performance Improvement Update" Ryzen 7 9700X: 24H2 Update, AGESA 1.2.0.2, Price Cuts!

Summary

The video analyzes AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X processor's gaming performance compared to the Ryzen 7 7700X and 7700, particularly after recent optimizations in Windows 11. Despite a slight price drop and improvements, the 9700X only shows modest performance gains of 2-5% over its predecessors, struggling to outperform older models significantly. Key benchmarks reveal that while some games benefit from the updates, overall performance remains underwhelming, leading to a recommendation to consider the more cost-effective 7700X instead. The host discusses the implications of these results for gamers and the current market, emphasizing the need for better value in CPU purchases.

Takeaways

• 😀 AMD has made improvements to its Zen 5 processors since their release, focusing on performance enhancements.
• 🛠️ Recent updates to Windows 11 include optimizations specifically for Zen processors, which have impacted gaming performance.
• 📊 Benchmarking shows that the Ryzen 7 9700X is only slightly faster than the Ryzen 7 7700X, with average gains of around 2-4% in gaming.
• 💰 The Ryzen 7 9700X launched at an MSRP of $360 but has been discounted to $330, making it more competitive with older models.
• 🕹️ Performance in games like 'Star Wars Jedi: Survivor' shows the 9700X outperforming the 7700X by 4% but lagging behind the Ryzen 7 5800X 3D.
• 🚫 In some titles, such as 'Starfield,' the 9700X underperformed compared to the 7700, illustrating inconsistent performance across games.
• 📉 The Ryzen 7 7700X offers similar gaming performance at a lower price point, often found for around $245, making it a more appealing option.
• ⚙️ The new Windows 11 optimizations have resulted in mild performance gains for both Zen 4 and Zen 3 processors as well.
• 🔄 Overall, the improvements in the Zen 5 lineup are incremental and may not justify the upgrade for many users, especially given the competitive pricing of Zen 4 parts.
• 📺 For tech enthusiasts, it may be wiser to wait for future CPU generations that promise more substantial performance enhancements.

Q & A

What recent changes have been made to improve the performance of Zen 5 processors?

Recent changes include a new version of Windows with Zen-specific optimizations, several BIOS updates, new power profiles, alleged memory improvements, and price cuts.

How does the Ryzen 7 9700X compare to the Ryzen 7 5800X 3D in terms of gaming performance?

The Ryzen 7 5800X 3D performed slightly slower than the 9700X in a range of games, but it remains competitive, especially given its availability at a lower price.

What was the original MSRP of the Ryzen 7 9700X, and how does it compare to the current price?

The Ryzen 7 9700X launched at an MSRP of $360, but it has since been discounted to around $330, making it more appealing.

What performance improvements does Windows 11 version 24 H2 bring to gaming?

Windows 11 version 24 H2 has improved performance for Ryzen processors, with some games experiencing significant gains, while others saw minimal changes.

How does the gaming performance of the Ryzen 7 9700X compare to that of the Ryzen 7 7700X?

The Ryzen 7 9700X was found to be just 2% faster than the Ryzen 7 7700X on average, with some games showing it slightly outperforming the 7700X and others showing similar performance.

What was the performance of the Ryzen 7 9700X in Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy?

In Cyberpunk 2077, the performance was near identical to the 7700X, while in Hogwarts Legacy, the 9700X averaged 125 FPS, only one frame faster than the 7700X.

What factors contribute to the perceived underwhelming performance of the Ryzen 7 9700X?

The performance is considered underwhelming due to minimal improvements over the previous generation and the close competition with lower-priced Ryzen 7 7700 and 7700X models.

How do the performance improvements seen in Zen 5 compare to those in Zen 4?

Despite some performance improvements for Zen 5 processors, they do not significantly outperform Zen 4 processors, with most gains in the 2-5% range.

What are the implications of the Ryzen 7 9700X pricing in comparison to the Ryzen 7 7700X?

The Ryzen 7 9700X is around 25% more expensive than the 7700X, which can make the latter a more attractive option for consumers looking for value.

What kind of CPU performance gains can users expect from the Ryzen 7 9700X?

Users can expect an average performance uplift of about 2 to 5% with the Ryzen 7 9700X compared to comparable Zen 4 parts, depending on the games used.