How to Boost AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Gaming Performance
Motherboards
AMD’s newly released Ryzen 9 9950X3D delivers impressive performance in both content creation and gaming. If you're still not satisfied with the current performance, you can further enhance the Ryzen 9 9950X3D's capabilities by utilizing the features provided in the MSI BIOS, taking your gaming experience to the next level.
Update BIOS and Chipset Drivers to Unlock Processor's Optimal Performance
Before enabling the performance enhancement features in MSI BIOS, it is recommended to update the BIOS and chipset driver to ensure that the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is in optimal condition. After the updates, you can utilize the MSI BIOS features to further boost processor performance.
The latest chipset driver (v7.01.08.129 or higher) includes the new AMD Application Compatibility Database driver. When paired with a BIOS running AGESA 1.2.0.3 or newer, it can boost performance in certain games.
Testing shows that, compared to older BIOS and chipset driver combinations, at 1080p resolution, Metro Exodus gains about a 10% performance boost, while Far Cry 6 sees an 8% improvement.
Please note that after updating to a BIOS with AGESA 1.2.0.3 or newer, you might see an “Unknown Device” in Device Manager. To fix this, install the AMD Application Compatibility Database driver from the chipset driver package. Once installed, you will see "AMD Application Compatibility Database" in the device manager.
▲ The new chipset driver includes the AMD Application Compatibility Database driver.
▲ After installing the driver, you can see AMD Application Compatibility Database in the device manager
Use MSI BIOS Features to Further Enhance Gaming Performance
MSI provides several easy-to-use BIOS features to help users enhance memory and gaming performance. You can quickly optimize settings based on your hardware configuration and usage needs.
Memory Try It!
For common memory modules on the market, Memory Try It! provides multiple overclocking combinations of memory frequencies and parameters, allowing users to easily find the best settings for their memory and quickly complete memory overclocking to enhance overall performance.
High-Efficiency Mode
High-Efficiency Mode is a memory parameter optimization feature introduced by MSI, which can increase memory bandwidth and reduce latency. This mode offers four options: Tightest, Tighter, Balance, and Relax, allowing users to select the best settings based on the quality and stability of their memory.
X3D Gaming Mode
X3D Gaming Mode can enhance performance in certain games, but it adjusts the processor's core and simultaneous multithreading (SMT) settings, which may affect performance in multi-core applications. It is recommended to decide whether to enable this feature based on your daily usage needs and the types of games you frequently play.
Memory Try It! + High-Efficiency Mode + X3D Gaming Mode: Up to 14.5% Boost in Monster Hunter Wilds
In our tests, we used a set of 16GBx2 memory with a default frequency of 4800MT/s and an XMP frequency of 7200MT/s, combined with the following settings:
- Apply the Memory Try It! DDR5-8000 CL38 profile to overclock the memory to DDR5-8000;
- Enable the "Tighter" setting in High-Efficiency Mode;
- Turn on X3D Gaming Mode.
For the newly released popular game "Monster Hunter Wilds", test results showed a performance increase of 14.5% compared to the default DDR5-4800; compared to XMP DDR5-7200, the increase was about 8%.
Additionally, in "Far Cry 6" and "Shadow of the Tomb Raider", there was also approximately a 6% performance increase.
Notes:
- Memory Try It! and High-Efficiency Mode involve memory overclocking, which may lead to system instability.
- X3D Gaming Mode adjusts the processor's core and SMT settings, which may affect performance in multi-core applications.
- Gaming performance gains depend on your graphics card and system configuration used.
Test System Configuration:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Motherboard: MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE
- Memory: Galax DDR5-7200 16GBx2
- GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16G GAMING TRIO OC
- SSD: Kingston SNV2S/2000G
- CPU Cooler: MSI MAG CORELIQUID I360
- PSU: MSI MEG Ai1300P PCIE5
- OS: Windows 11 24H2 (Power Mode: Balanced)
- Game Settings: Black Myth WUKONG – High, The rest: Maximum graphics settings
MSI X870E/X870/B850/B840 motherboards: https://www.msi.com/Landing/amd-am5-x870e-x870-b850-b840-ryzen-9000-x3d-best-ai-gaming-motherboard#MSI-B850-SERIES
