HardwareProcessorsIntel to roll out 14th Gen’s game optimization software to older 12/13th Gen hybrid CPUs after allWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareProcessorsIntel to roll out 14th Gen’s game optimization software to older 12/13th Gen hybrid CPUs after allWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
Intel’s performance-enhancing Application Optimizer software is set to be supported on some 12th and 13th Gen processors, in a complete reverse of the company’s previous position on the matter.
Application Optimizer (APO) is a piece of software built into Intel’s drivers that helps optimise processor performance in supported games. It has the potential to be quite handy, too. Intel cites up to double digit performance gains with APO enabled in Metro Exodus, for example.
Initially only supported on the14900K/KF and14700K/KF, there had been calls on Intel to open up the APO software—which is built into Intel’s Dynamic Tuning Technology (DTT) driver—to older 12th and 13th Gen chips that utilise the same sort of hybrid architecture as the 14th Gen.
Intel had resoundinglyshot down this ideatoHardware Unboxed, after the YouTube channel’s own testing of the feature, when it quoted Intel as saying it “has no plans to support prior generation products with Application Optimization.”
Well, that’s all changed at CES 2024. Just briefly mentioned during a presentation, Intel said it plans to support some prior generation products with Application Optimization—at least some 12th and 13th Gen K-series processors.
It makes sense to open the feature up where possible. APO appears to help increase utilisation of the low-power E-cores within Intel’s hybrid architectures, and these are found on most chips since the 12th Gen.
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(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
(Image credit: Future)
Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
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To my knowledge the list of supported games now includes Rainbow Six: Siege, Metro Exodus, Guardians of the Galaxy, F1 22, Strange Brigade, World War Z, Dirt 5, and World of Warcraft. There’sno master listof what’s supported right now, however. For that reason, APO remains a pretty niche application, but here’s hoping that list grows over the next 12 months.
As for when you’ll be able to enable it on those older chips, Intel hasn’t said when that will happen exactly, but presumably support will come with a new version of the DTT drivers. Keep an eye out for that. Just be warned, the installation process wasn’t easy for APO. That’s another thing I hope improves with future updates.
But I’m not turning my nose up at a free performance uplift. I just hope APO is able to materialise into something genuinely useful with time.
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