Unlocking the Power of Ryzen: A Comprehensive Gaming Performance Analysis

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Ryzen's Gaming Performance
   1. Test Setup
   2. Gaming Performance at 1080p
   3. Gaming Performance at 1440p
3. Windows 10 Scheduler Issue for Ryzen
4. testing Methodology
5. Benchmark Results
   1. The Division
   2. Hitman
   3. Civilization VI
   4. Mirror's Edge Catalyst
   5. Mafia 3
   6. Overwatch
   7. Gears of War 4
   8. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
   9. Grand Theft Auto V
   10. Watch Dogs 2
   11. Arma 3
   12. Battlefield 1
   13. F1 2016
   14. Far Cry Primal
   15. Total War: Warhammer
   16. Conclusion
6. Optimizations and Future Improvements
7. Choosing the Right Ryzen CPU for Gaming
8. Ryzen System Giveaway
9. Conclusion

Ryzen's Gaming Performance: A Comprehensive Benchmark Analysis 👨‍💻

Introduction

Welcome back to Harbor Unboxed! In this article, we will be diving deep into the gaming performance of Ryzen processors. Previously, we covered a limited number of games and tested at 1080p. However, this time we have expanded our testing to include 16 different games at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. Additionally, we will explore a unique issue with the Windows 10 scheduler for Ryzen processors, as well as discuss the potential optimizations and future improvements for Ryzen. So, let's dive right in!

Ryzen's Gaming Performance

Test Setup

For this benchmark analysis, we built a brand new test system around the Gigabyte X370 Gaming 5 motherboard. To ensure optimal performance, we used the EK XLC Predator 240 all-in-one liquid cooler and updated the motherboard with the latest F3F BIOS revision. Our testing also included the use of Corsair DDR4 memory running at 1.5 GHz for a double data rate of 3,000 Mega transfers per Second. This setup allowed us to showcase Ryzen in its best possible light.

Gaming Performance at 1080p

Let's start by looking at the gaming performance of Ryzen processors at 1080p resolution. In our benchmarks, we found that Ryzen CPUs performed admirably well. Despite a few instances where Ryzen trailed behind Intel CPUs, overall, the performance was strong. The Ryzen 1800x, for example, was just 10% slower than the Intel 6900k in games like Civilization VI and Mafia 3. Disabling simultaneous multithreading (SMT) did not have a significant impact on performance in most cases. However, we did observe several instances where disabling SMT actually resulted in reduced performance.

Gaming Performance at 1440p

Moving on to gaming performance at 1440p resolution, we encountered some interesting changes in the results. As expected, with the increased GPU load, the margins between CPUs began to narrow. The Ryzen 1800x, which was 19% slower than the Intel 6900k at 1080p, now only lagged behind by 11%. This demonstrates Ryzen's ability to deliver competitive performance even at higher resolutions. Furthermore, disabling SMT did not yield the same significant gains for the minimum frame rate as it did at 1080p.

Windows 10 Scheduler Issue for Ryzen

During our testing, we stumbled upon a unique problem with the Windows 10 scheduler for Ryzen processors. It was discovered by users on the Inan Tech forums that Windows 10 treats all Ryzen Threads the same, not distinguishing between SMT and physical cores. This means that Windows operates under the assumption that all threads have access to their own level 2 and level 3 cache. While we will delve deeper into this issue in a future video, it is important to note that this scheduler behavior can negatively impact performance in certain situations.

Testing Methodology

To ensure accurate and reliable results, we spent four full days gathering data from at least 1,250 individual benchmark runs across 16 different games. We used a consistent testing methodology, which involved running each game at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions, Recording average and minimum frame rates. The testing was conducted on multiple processors, including the 1800x and 1700x with SMT disabled.

Benchmark Results

In this section, we will Present the benchmark results for each Game tested.

1. The Division: In this GPU-intensive game, Ryzen CPUs performed admirably well, although a severe GPU bottleneck was observed at 1080p resolution. At 1440p, the performance gap closed, with the Ryzen 1800x trailing behind the Intel 6900k by just 11%.

2. Hitman: Ryzen CPUs matched the Core i7 5960x in performance, putting them slightly behind the 6900k, 6700k, and 7700k processors. Disabling SMT had minimal impact on performance.

3. Civilization VI: While AMD's own review guide indicated that Ryzen would perform poorly in this game, our tests showed that Ryzen CPUs delivered solid performance. The 1800x was just 10% slower than the 6900k at 1080p, and the results remained consistent at 1440p.

4. Mirror's Edge Catalyst: In this game, Ryzen CPUs performed slightly below the Intel chips, but disabling SMT actually hurt performance. However, at 1440p, the Ryzen CPUs closed the gap and matched the 6900k's performance.

5. Mafia 3: Ryzen CPUs delivered impressive results in Mafia 3. The 1800x matched the 5960x and trailed the 6900k by a slim margin. Disabling SMT had a negative impact on performance.

6. Overwatch: Overwatch performance on Ryzen CPUs was decent, with the 1800x delivering comparable performance to the 5960x. Disabling SMT did not yield significant gains.

7. Gears of War 4: Ryzen performance in Gears of War 4 was better with SMT disabled. Overall, the CPUs performed well at 1080p and 1440p, but fell slightly behind the 5960x and struggled to match the minimum frame rate of the Core i5 7600k.

8. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: Ryzen CPUs fell behind the 5960x by a fair margin in this game. Disabling SMT significantly boosted the average frame rate, but the minimum remained unchanged.

9. Grand Theft Auto V: Ryzen CPUs performed better with SMT disabled in GTA 5, but the gains were not substantial enough to surpass the competition. At 1440p, however, Ryzen CPUs became more competitive, with the 1800x roughly matching the 6900k.

10. Watch Dogs 2: Optimization issues hindered Ryzen's performance in Watch Dogs 2. Despite heavy thread utilization, Ryzen CPUs failed to deliver similar gains as the Intel counterparts. Optimization improvements are necessary here.

11. Arma 3: Despite poor utilization, the 1800x performed well compared to the 6900k in Arma 3. Disabling SMT provided an impressive boost to performance, placing the 1800x ahead of the competition.

12. Battlefield 1: Ryzen CPUs showcased decent performance, with the 1800x trailing just 8% behind the 6900k for the average frame rate. Disabling SMT had minimal impact on the average, but significantly reduced the minimum frame rate.

13. F1 2016: Ryzen CPUs received a performance boost with SMT disabled in F1 2016. The 1800x performed on par with the 5960x, trailing the 6900k by just 7%.

14. Far Cry Primal: Ryzen CPUs struggled to match the performance of the Pentium g4560 out of the box. However, disabling SMT provided a 14% performance gain, placing the 1800x on par with the 6900k.

15. Total War: Warhammer: Ryzen CPUs showcased weaker performance as Total War: Warhammer does not require more than four cores. Disabling SMT significantly improved performance, with the 1800x pulling ahead of the 6900k.

16. Conclusion: Overall, Ryzen CPUs delivered strong performance in a variety of games. While there were instances where disabling SMT improved performance, it also had negative impacts in certain scenarios. Optimizations and future improvements to the Windows 10 scheduler are expected to enhance the overall gaming experience with Ryzen.

Optimizations and Future Improvements

To unlock the full potential of Ryzen processors in gaming, optimizations and improvements are needed. One crucial step is updating the Windows 10 scheduler to better support SMT on Ryzen processors. By distinguishing between SMT threads and physical cores, the operating system can allocate resources more efficiently, leading to better overall performance. Additionally, collaboration between AMD and game developers in optimizing games for Ryzen will further improve gaming performance. It is essential to note that the Ryzen platform is still evolving, and AMD is committed to delivering constant updates and improvements to enhance its performance.

Choosing the Right Ryzen CPU for Gaming

When it comes to gaming, choosing the right Ryzen CPU is vital. If you are not interested in high refresh rate gaming and prioritize productivity, the Ryzen 1700 is an excellent choice. It offers strong performance and better long-term value compared to its Intel counterparts. However, if you are targeting 1080p or 1440p 144Hz high refresh rate gaming, the Intel Core i7 7700k or Skylake 6700k might be a better option, as they currently outperform Ryzen in these scenarios. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs and requirements.

Ryzen System Giveaway

Exciting news! We will be giving away a Ryzen 1800x system to one lucky subscriber. The system will include top-of-the-line components such as a premium case, graphics card, motherboard, and, of Course, the Ryzen processor. Stay tuned for more details on how to enter the giveaway and win this powerful Ryzen system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ryzen processors have demonstrated their strong gaming potential, although there is room for optimization and improvement. We will continue to closely monitor Ryzen's development and provide you with constant updates and benchmark results. With the upcoming optimizations and future improvements, Ryzen is poised to deliver even better gaming performance in the coming months. So stay tuned to Harbor Unboxed for all the latest developments. Thank you for reading, and until next time!