Introduction

In early 2025, PassMark, a respected benchmarking authority, published data indicating a decline in average CPU performance on Windows PCs. This surprising trend has sparked debate regarding whether Windows 11, the current mainstream Microsoft OS, might be partially responsible compared to its predecessor, Windows 10. This article delves into the context, technical details, and implications of these findings.

Context and Background

PassMark analyzes thousands of benchmarking results from a wide range of hardware and software configurations. Their aggregated data for January and February 2025 suggests a notable downward shift in multi-threaded CPU performance scores.

While some speculation points toward Windows 11, the operating system landscape in 2025 is complex. Windows 10 support is nearing its end, motivating an upgrade wave to Windows 11. However, the dip in performance may stem from several factors beyond just the OS software:

  • Hardware Purchasing Trends: Early-year CPU purchases often skew towards budget models with fewer cores and lower clock speeds, as consumers delay higher-end buys into later promotional periods.
  • Plateau in Core Count Growth: Despite advances like hybrid core architectures or AMD's 3D V-Cache, many users still gravitate towards 8-core CPUs, which offer a balance between performance and power efficiency. Software is increasingly optimized around this "sweet spot," potentially limiting headline gains in benchmarks.

Technical Details and Analysis

Performance Throttling in Windows 11 24H2 Update

Recent in-depth tests and community reports have uncovered a subtle but impactful behavior in Windows 11 24H2, where CPU clock speeds are aggressively throttled when applications are minimized or run in the background. This has been confirmed primarily on specific Intel CPUs such as the Core Ultra 9 285K, but not widely on others like the Intel Core i9-12900K or AMD Ryzen 9 9950X.

  • Cause: This throttling seems connected to power management policies introduced in the Windows 11 update, possibly to conserve energy.
  • Impact: Benchmarks like Prime95 and 7-Zip show dramatically reduced CPU performance once an app loses focus.
  • Scope: This affects users running background-intensive workloads, streaming, or multitasking environments more than full-screen focused usage.

Intel Microcode and Compatibility Issues

The performance issue appears intertwined with Intel's microcode updates intended to address startup anomalies on certain processors. The fix, while solving one problem, inadvertently triggered a downclocking effect under certain conditions.

AMD's Contrasting Position

AMD released a chipset driver update (version 7.02.13.148) offering enhanced compatibility and security features, including support for Microsoft Pluton and an improved application compatibility database. This update aims to stabilize Windows 11 experience on AMD systems, showcasing a proactive stance to mitigate OS-related performance hassles.

Implications and Impact

For End Users

  • Gamers and Power Users: May notice frame rate drops or slower responsiveness in gaming or CPU-demanding applications, especially when multitasking or running apps in the background.
  • General Users: Might not see a notable difference if primarily using full-screen apps or light workloads.
  • Business and Enterprise: Organizations relying on multi-application workflows should monitor performance carefully, potentially adjusting power profiles or delaying updates.

For Developers and Microsoft

  • Encourages reevaluation of power management policies to balance energy efficiency with consistent CPU performance.
  • Highlights the need for thorough compatibility testing across different CPU architectures and models before wide deployment.

What Can Users Do?

  • Monitor Performance: Use Task Manager or third-party tools to observe CPU clock speeds when apps are minimized.
  • Adjust Power Settings: Switching from "Balanced" to "High Performance" power plans may alleviate throttling effects.
  • Stay Updated: Apply latest Windows updates, driver patches (especially chipset drivers for AMD users), and microcode updates.
  • Engage Community Feedback: Report experiences via Microsoft Feedback Hub and participate in forums to share workarounds.

Conclusion

The observed dip in Windows PC CPU performance in early 2025 is multifaceted. While Windows 11’s aggressive CPU throttling when applications are minimized likely contributes, it is one factor among hardware purchasing patterns, core count plateaus, and firmware updates. Users, especially on affected Intel CPUs, should take proactive steps to monitor and optimize their settings while Microsoft and hardware vendors continue refining this balance.

By understanding these intricacies, the tech community can better navigate updates and demands, ensuring PCs deliver performance without compromising efficiency.