Intel has released findings addressing performance inconsistencies and issues with its recently launched Intel Core Ultra 200S Arrow Lake desktop processors.
Following lukewarm reviews of the processors launched in October 2024, Intel identified and resolved five core issues affecting performance and stability. These include missing Performance & Power Management (PPM) settings, faulty Intel APO (Application Performance Optimizer) integration, BSODs with Easy Anti-Cheat-enabled titles, BIOS misconfigurations, and pending performance microcode updates.
Intel has issued fixes for most issues through BIOS updates and Windows patches, with the final solutionโMicrocode 0x114โtargeted for January 2025.
Key Findings and Fixes:
- Missing PPM Package:
- Root Cause: Incorrect deployment of Windows power plan settings.
- Impact: High DRAM latency, CPU scheduling anomalies (6-30% performance loss).
- Status: Resolved with Windows 11 build 26100.2161 (KB5044384).
- Intel APO Not Taking Effect:
- Root Cause: APO profiles failed due to missing PPM, further compounded by APO being disabled in reviewer BIOS.
- Impact: Games with APO profiles saw a 2-14% performance deficit.
- Status: Resolved with the same Windows update.
- BSODs with Easy Anti-Cheat Titles:
- Root Cause: Conflict between Windows 11 24H2 and older Easy Anti-Cheat drivers.
- Impact: Games using EAC crashed on launch.
- Status: Resolved via updated EAC drivers distributed by Epic Games.
- BIOS Misconfigurations:
- Root Cause: Inconsistent default settings in pre-release BIOS, affecting PCIe Resizable BAR, compute frequencies, and IMC settings.
- Impact: 2-14% performance loss depending on BIOS configurations.
- Status: Fixed with updated motherboard BIOS versions.
- New BIOS Performance Optimizations:
- Intelโs forthcoming Microcode 0x114 targets additional single-digit performance gains across 35 games.
- Availability: BIOS updates integrating the microcode are expected in January 2025.
Most fixes are already available through Windows 11 patches (KB5044384) and updated motherboard BIOS versions. The final microcode update is scheduled for January 2025, aligning with CES 2025.
The fixes and updates are being rolled out globally through Windows Update and BIOS revisions distributed by motherboard manufacturers.
Intel initiated a root cause investigation following inconsistent benchmarking results reported since launch. Collaborating with Microsoft, motherboard vendors, and Epic Games, Intel identified multiple issues tied to power management, OS scheduling, BIOS configurations, and anti-cheat drivers. Fixes were developed through BIOS optimizations, driver updates, and OS patches.
Next Steps:
- Users are advised to update their motherboard BIOS and apply Windows 11 build 26100.2314+ for immediate improvements.
- Final optimizations via Microcode 0x114 will be available starting January 2025, with Intel promising modest single-digit gains.
