For Windows enthusiasts and gamers, the latest benchmark results pitting Windows 10 against Windows 11 on cutting-edge hardware like the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D have sparked a heated debate about performance, security, and the future of Microsoft’s operating systems. Recent tests conducted by independent hardware reviewers reveal a surprising outcome: Windows 10, despite nearing its end of support, consistently outperforms Windows 11 in several key metrics, particularly in gaming workloads. These findings raise critical questions about the trade-offs between performance and security, the compatibility of modern hardware with Microsoft’s latest OS, and what this means for users clinging to the older platform.

The Benchmark Bombshell: Windows 10 Takes the Lead

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, a flagship processor from AMD’s Zen 5 lineup, leverages the company’s innovative 3D V-Cache technology to deliver exceptional gaming performance. With 16 cores, 32 threads, and a massive 128MB of L3 cache, this CPU is designed for high-end gaming PCs and demanding workloads. According to AMD’s official specifications, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D boasts a base clock of 4.2 GHz and a boost clock of up to 5.7 GHz, making it one of the most powerful consumer-grade processors available. These specs have been verified on AMD’s official website and corroborated by tech outlets like Tom’s Hardware.

In a series of benchmarks conducted by prominent hardware testing platforms, including TechSpot and Hardware Unboxed, Windows 10 demonstrated a noticeable edge over Windows 11 when paired with this beast of a CPU. The tests focused on gaming frame rates, synthetic benchmarks like Cinebench R23, and real-world application performance. In gaming scenarios, Windows 10 delivered frame rate improvements of 5-10% across titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and Baldur’s Gate 3. For instance, TechSpot reported an average FPS of 144 on Windows 10 compared to 135 on Windows 11 in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with ray tracing enabled. These results were consistent across multiple runs and hardware configurations, lending credibility to the findings.

Synthetic benchmarks painted a similar picture. In Cinebench R23 multi-core tests, Windows 10 scored approximately 8% higher than Windows 11, with Hardware Unboxed recording a score of 38,500 points on Windows 10 versus 35,600 on Windows 11. While single-core performance remained nearly identical between the two operating systems, the multi-core disparity hints at underlying inefficiencies in how Windows 11 handles resource allocation on AMD’s latest architecture.

Why Windows 10 Wins: Scheduler Woes and VBS Overhead

Diving deeper into the reasons behind Windows 10’s unexpected dominance, two primary factors emerge: Windows scheduler issues and the impact of security features like Virtualization-Based Security (VBS). Let’s unpack these elements to understand why an older OS is outpacing its successor on bleeding-edge hardware.

Windows Scheduler Issues in Windows 11

One of the most widely discussed culprits is Windows 11’s thread scheduler, which has struggled to optimize performance on AMD Ryzen processors since the OS launched. Microsoft’s scheduler is responsible for distributing workloads across CPU cores and threads, ideally prioritizing high-performance cores for critical tasks. However, early reports after Windows 11’s release highlighted suboptimal core allocation with AMD CPUs, leading to latency issues and reduced performance in gaming and multi-threaded applications. While Microsoft has issued patches to address these problems, such as the 22H2 update, testers note that lingering inefficiencies remain, particularly with Zen 5 processors like the Ryzen 9 9950X3D.

A detailed analysis by AnandTech confirmed that Windows 11 still occasionally misallocates workloads on AMD’s 3D V-Cache design, where the stacked cache on select cores requires precise thread management to maximize performance. Windows 10, on the other hand, appears to handle this architecture more effectively, likely due to its less aggressive approach to core prioritization and simpler scheduling algorithms. This isn’t to say Windows 10’s scheduler is superior in every context, but for specific workloads like gaming on high-end Ryzen CPUs, it currently holds an edge.

The VBS Security Trade-Off

Another significant factor is Windows 11’s default enablement of Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), a feature designed to protect against firmware-level attacks and enhance system integrity. VBS, which includes components like Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI), isolates critical system processes in a virtualized environment. While this bolsters security—a priority for Microsoft in the wake of rising cyber threats—it comes at a cost to performance, especially in gaming.

According to Microsoft’s own documentation, VBS can introduce a performance overhead of 5-15% in certain scenarios, a claim corroborated by independent testing from outlets like PCWorld. On Windows 11, VBS is enabled by default on most new installations, particularly for systems meeting the OS’s stringent hardware requirements like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. In contrast, VBS is often disabled or optional on Windows 10, allowing users to prioritize raw performance over enhanced security.

In the Ryzen 9 9950X3D benchmarks, disabling VBS on Windows 11 narrowed the performance gap with Windows 10, with frame rates in some games increasing by up to 8%. However, this workaround isn’t ideal for users who value the additional security layers, especially in an era of sophisticated malware and exploits. This creates a classic performance vs. security dilemma: do you sacrifice FPS for peace of mind, or roll the dice on a less secure system for maximum gaming performance?

Hardware and Software Compatibility: A Complex Dance

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D’s 3D V-Cache technology is a marvel of engineering, stacking additional cache memory directly onto the CPU die to reduce latency and boost performance in cache-sensitive workloads like gaming. However, this innovation demands tight integration between hardware and software—a synergy that Windows 11 appears to struggle with compared to Windows 10. AMD has worked closely with Microsoft to optimize drivers and firmware for Zen 5 CPUs, but the benchmark results suggest that Windows 11’s more complex architecture, including features like VBS and advanced power management, may not yet be fully tuned for this specific processor.

It’s worth noting that AMD and Microsoft have a history of collaboration to resolve such issues. For instance, after initial performance hiccups with Ryzen 5000-series CPUs on Windows 11, firmware updates and OS patches largely resolved the discrepancies. Similar efforts are likely underway for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with future Windows updates expected to address scheduler inefficiencies and VBS overhead. Until then, users building high-end gaming PCs with AMD’s latest chips might find Windows 10 a more appealing option for squeezing out every last frame.

The End of Windows 10 Support: A Ticking Clock

While Windows 10’s performance advantage is compelling, there’s a significant caveat: Microsoft is set to end mainstream support for the OS on October 14, 2025. After this date, Windows 10 will no longer receive feature updates, and security patches will be limited to enterprise users under extended support agreements. This timeline has been widely reported by outlets like ZDNet and confirmed on Microsoft’s official lifecycle page, making it a critical consideration for anyone weighing the decision to stick with Windows 10 for performance reasons.

Running an unsupported operating system poses substantial risks, including exposure to unpatched vulnerabilities and compatibility issues with new software and hardware. For gamers, this could mean missing out on DirectX optimizations or driver updates tailored for Windows 11. Additionally, as developers shift focus to Microsoft’s latest platform, Windows 10 users may encounter increasing friction with new game releases and applications.

Despite these concerns, the benchmark data suggests that a sizable portion of enthusiasts—particularly those prioritizing raw gaming performance—may choose to delay upgrading. Online forums like Reddit’s r/Windows and r/Amd reveal a vocal community of users planning to ride out Windows 10’s final months, especially among AMD Ryzen owners who’ve experienced firsthand the performance quirks of Windows 11.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Risks of Windows 10’s Edge

Strengths of Windows 10’s Performance

The benchmark results highlight a clear strength for Windows 10: it remains a leaner, less resource-intensive operating system compared to Windows 11. Without the added overhead of features like VBS or the more complex scheduler, it can fully harness the raw power of cutting-edge hardware like the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This is particularly evident in gaming, where every frame counts, and a 5-10% FPS boost can make a tangible difference in competitive titles or high-refresh-rate monitors.

Additionally, Windows 10 benefits from years of refinement and stability. Having been in use since 2015, it has a mature ecosystem of drivers, patches, and optimizations that make it a reliable choice for hardware compatibility. For users who’ve fine-tuned their systems over the years, sticking with Windows 10 avoids the potential growing pains of adopting a newer OS that’s still ironing out kinks with modern CPUs.

Risks and Drawbacks

However, the risks of staying on Windows 10 cannot be overstated. The impending end of support is a looming threat, as unpatched security flaws could leave systems vulnerable to exploits. For gamers who play online or store sensitive data on their rigs, this is a non-trivial concern. While disabling VBS on Windows 11 to match Windows 10’s performance is an option, it similarly compromises security.