Microsoft’s latest KB5041587 update includes AMD-specific performance improvements.
You may not be able to download more RAM, but if you’re the proud owner of a modern Ryzen desktop CPU, there’s some exciting news: you can now download better gaming performance. Last week, AMD announced that it had been collaborating closely with Microsoft on an optimization patch for Ryzen CPUs. Originally slated to be part of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 11 version 24H2 update, Microsoft has made the decision to backport this patch to the current 23H2 version.
This strategic move brings a substantial performance boost to gaming across a range of Zen 4 and Zen 5 Ryzen CPUs, including the highly sought-after 7800X3D chip. In a statement to Wccftech, AMD shared, “Users will need to look for KB5041587 under Windows update > Advanced options > Optional updates. We expect the performance uplift to be very similar between 24H2 and 23H2 with KB5041587 installed.”
Early reviews of Microsoft’s forthcoming Windows 11 24H2 update, which is anticipated to roll out by late September, are already showing impressive results. Testers have reported an average 10 percent boost in gaming performance at 1080p on the older Ryzen 7700X. Even more striking, Hardware Unboxed found that the latest Ryzen 9700X enjoyed an 11 percent performance increase on average in similar gaming benchmarks with the 24H2 update.
This backported optimization comes as a welcome surprise, especially after initial benchmark results for AMD’s newest Zen 5 desktop CPUs failed to make a strong impression. The subsequent revelation that AMD and Microsoft were actively refining AMD-specific branch prediction code in Windows 11 offers a compelling explanation for this unexpected leap in performance. Now, with Microsoft having backported these enhancements to the current Windows 11 version 23H2, you don’t need to join the Release Preview testing program to experience the benefits of 24H2.
All it takes is a simple update, and your Ryzen CPU could be delivering a gaming experience that’s more powerful than ever. Make sure to check your Windows Update settings and take advantage of this exciting performance boost today!
