Intel's APO performance-tuning feature for games is now available but limited to 14th Gen CPUs despite sharing the same architecture with 12th & 13th Gen chips.
Intel Doesn't Want 12th & 13th Gen CPU Owners To Benefit From Game-Boosting APO Feature Despite Sharing The Same Architecture As 14th Gen
Intel recently released a new performance tuning feature for games known as APO or Application Performance Optimization which delivers some impressive double-digit gains. The supported titles are a bit lacking with only Metro Exodus and Rainbow Six Siege taking advantage of APO but Intel is working to increase the list of games by working with developers and optimizing the performance for their CPUs.
In testing done by HardwareUnboxed, it looks like what Intel has done is basically optimize the E-Cores in a way that they are utilized more effectively in games. The E-cores can be seen running at higher clock speeds with APO enabled than with APO disabled and more E-cores are used to add extra performance in games. However, the main issue with the APO feature is that it is only limited to 14th Gen CPUs, and that too amongst a certain list of SKUs.
So it's a new technology that only works with new processors, doesn't sound too bad right? Wrong, this is where the problem actually lies. You see, Intel's 14th Gen CPUs are based on the same Uarch (architecture) as the 13th Gen CPUs which themselves are a slight revision of the 12th Gen CPUs. All three hybrid CPU families are very similar to one another so there should be no reason for Intel to not offer APO support on older 12th (Alder Lake) and 13th Gen (Raptor Lake) CPUs.
Also, the performance optimizations mostly come on the E-core side which haven't been changed across the three generations. All Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen CPUs share the same Gracemotn E-core architecture. Even if the P-Cores on 12th and 13th/14th Gen CPUs are different (Golden Cove / Raptor Cove), the E-Core optimizations should be delivered across the entire older SKU range. It is also looking like Intel will only deliver the APO optimizations limited to a certain range of 14th Gen SKUs with the upcoming Non-K lineup possibly not getting any support.
- Intel 12th Gen E-Core Architecture: Gracemont
- Intel 13th Gen E-Core Architecture: Gracemont
- Intel 14th Gen E-Core Architecture: Gracemont
Intel's response to HBU is very disappointing:
Intel has no plans to support prior generation products with Application Optimization
The Intel APO technology is supported on a range of Intel 600 and 700-series motherboards when updated with the latest Management Engine & BIOS (DTT support) BIOS firmware though we have already tried running 12th Gen and 13th Gen CPUs with APO and it simply doesn't work. The APO feature only works with 14th Gen CPUs.
Installed it earlier along with the new DTT & ME firmware. No 12/13th Gen CPU support for APO.
— Hassan Mujtaba (@hms1193) November 12, 2023
This is definitely a new low from Intel for the consumer segment where they have been taking away features from consumers. We don't want to go all the way back from the start when this started happening as it goes back to the Sandy Bridge days but let's start with 12th Gen CPUs. Intel has so far blocked AVX-512 support from its consumer/client chips, a segment where AMD Ryzen CPUs are now surpassing them across all SKUs. AMD did it in a much more efficient way that doesn't turn their chips into a space heater. Also, AVX-512 support was already present in 12th & 13th Gen CPUs but the company disabled it across all new batches of CPUs.
There were workarounds offered by motherboard makers and hacks developed by enthusiasts to circumvent the support but it's just one of the many non-consumer-friendly steps that Intel has taken in the past. We should also make a special mention of the Non-K BCLK OC feature that despite being offered in various motherboards has been blocked with Intel dropping the hammer on its board partners to stop the implementation of such features in the latest BIOS releases. Plus, they also go their own way to restrict non-K OC through firmware patches. Once again, AMD allows OC support across all their SKUs, X or Non-X.
Intel has lost a good chunk of its x86 market to AMD's Ryzen CPUs in the desktop segment. While the latest hybrid generation has seen a positive response from the DIY segment, such moves will ultimately mark a dent and make room for AMD to steal even more share from the blue team. We hope that Intel can make more consumer-friendly decisions in the future.
