AMD’s latest chipset driver update for Ryzen X3D brings welcome improvements for Windows 10 users – at least on paper. The new driver roll-out, version 7.02.13.148, addresses a long-standing Virtualization-based Security (VBS) reporting bug that has plagued Ryzen X3D systems running Windows 10. However, while it “fixes” the VBS reporting issue, it leaves the familiar performance loss associated with VBS squarely in place.
Despite this fix, be advised: the performance loss that many fear from enabling VBS remains unresolved. Microsoft’s design choice – not enabling VBS by default on Windows 10 due to its inherent performance overhead – reflects the understanding that extra security often comes at a cost. Gamers and power users who value every dropping frame or microsecond of latency now find themselves in a bit of a quandary: enjoy the improved security messaging or brace for expected performance dips.
In this light, AMD’s fix is bittersweet. It effectively resolves an issue where Windows 10 misreported the L3 cache with VBS enabled — a problem that has lingered for years. Yet, the more persistent problem of VBS-induced performance degradation remains unchanged. For enthusiasts and professionals who might rely on legacy Windows 10 environments, the decision to enable VBS now involves weighing improved security validation against the cost of reduced speed.
This scenario naturally leads to a pertinent question: Is the minor reporting fix enough to justify enabling VBS on legacy systems? For many users, the answer appears to be no. The performance penalties intrinsic to VBS have become an accepted trade-off, one that Microsoft mitigates by opting not to activate the feature by default on Windows 10.
For Windows users, particularly enthusiasts who build or upgrade systems for gaming and creative tasks, these driver updates signal an ongoing dialogue between hardware capabilities and operating system support. Although the fix directly addresses only a reporting issue, it gives a window into AMD’s broader roadmap – one that might eventually see more comprehensive performance optimizations rolled out. Whether future iterations of Windows or further chipset updates will better harmonize security and speed remains a point of industry interest.
As the industry continues to evolve, the interplay between enhanced security features and raw performance remains a key consideration. Whether you’re a gamer, a developer, or a power user, staying informed about these updates ensures you’re prepared to make decisions that best suit your performance and security needs.
In the ever-turbulent tech landscape, each incremental improvement opens the door to more ambitious changes on the horizon – a balancing act that both AMD and Microsoft will undoubtedly continue to negotiate.
Source: Neowin AMD finally fixes Windows 10 VBS issue for Ryzen X3D but it does not "fix" performance loss
Breaking Down the Fix
AMD’s updated 3D V-cache performance optimizer driver is one among several features in this chipset update. Its primary tweak ensures that Windows 10 now correctly identifies and schedules processing tasks to the compute core (CCD) equipped with the 3D vertical cache – a move specifically targeting the L3 cache reporting issue. For years, Windows 10 users with Ryzen processors have encountered inaccuracies when VBS was enabled, with L3 cache values reported incorrectly. Now, AMD confirms that Windows 10, once vexed by this misreporting, should “properly work” when VBS is in play.Despite this fix, be advised: the performance loss that many fear from enabling VBS remains unresolved. Microsoft’s design choice – not enabling VBS by default on Windows 10 due to its inherent performance overhead – reflects the understanding that extra security often comes at a cost. Gamers and power users who value every dropping frame or microsecond of latency now find themselves in a bit of a quandary: enjoy the improved security messaging or brace for expected performance dips.
A New Suite of Driver Enhancements
Beyond addressing the VBS quirk, the chipset driver update includes a couple of notable innovations:- PPKG Functionality: This new capability lets users swap processors without the need for an OS reinstallation. For enthusiasts and system builders, this is a significant convenience, reducing downtime and configuration headaches.
- AMD App Compatibility Database Driver: Targeted particularly at gaming, this driver enhancement optimizes performance in select titles that previously struggled with efficient scheduling. By fine-tuning how tasks are distributed across different cores, AMD aims to extract the best performance whether you’re gaming or tackling intensive non-gaming tasks.
The VBS Conundrum: Security Versus Speed
Virtualization-based security, or VBS, has long been a double-edged sword in computing. On one hand, VBS can isolate critical parts of the operating system, thereby enhancing security against modern threats. On the other, virtualization layers introduce extra processing overhead. When users enable VBS on Windows 10, they’re opting into a security model that, despite its benefits, can erode system performance.In this light, AMD’s fix is bittersweet. It effectively resolves an issue where Windows 10 misreported the L3 cache with VBS enabled — a problem that has lingered for years. Yet, the more persistent problem of VBS-induced performance degradation remains unchanged. For enthusiasts and professionals who might rely on legacy Windows 10 environments, the decision to enable VBS now involves weighing improved security validation against the cost of reduced speed.
This scenario naturally leads to a pertinent question: Is the minor reporting fix enough to justify enabling VBS on legacy systems? For many users, the answer appears to be no. The performance penalties intrinsic to VBS have become an accepted trade-off, one that Microsoft mitigates by opting not to activate the feature by default on Windows 10.
The Broader Implications for Ryzen X3D Users
AMD’s chipsets have long been at the forefront of balancing cutting-edge performance with evolving software demands. With the introduction of its new Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000X3D lineup – featuring highlights such as the 12-core 9900X3D and the flagship 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D showcased earlier at CES 2025 – the company underscores its commitment to pushing both performance and flexibility. In these new systems, driver-level optimizations, like the revamped 3D V-cache performance optimizer and the new PPKG feature, represent incremental improvements that add up to tangible benefits for end-users.For Windows users, particularly enthusiasts who build or upgrade systems for gaming and creative tasks, these driver updates signal an ongoing dialogue between hardware capabilities and operating system support. Although the fix directly addresses only a reporting issue, it gives a window into AMD’s broader roadmap – one that might eventually see more comprehensive performance optimizations rolled out. Whether future iterations of Windows or further chipset updates will better harmonize security and speed remains a point of industry interest.
Key Takeaways for Windows Users
- Improved Reporting, Not Performance: The driver update ensures that Windows 10 now correctly reports the L3 cache configuration when VBS is active on Ryzen X3D systems. However, the inherent performance drawbacks of VBS continue to be an issue.
- Enhanced Update Features: New features such as PPKG and the AMD app compatibility database driver are integral to this chipset update, providing not just incremental performance tweaks but also enhanced convenience for system upgrades.
- Legacy OS Considerations: Given that Microsoft does not enable VBS by default on Windows 10—citing performance concerns—it’s clear that users on this platform must remain mindful of the trade-offs between added security and operational speed.
- Looking Forward: While the recent fix is a step in the right direction regarding system stability and configurability, it does not deliver the performance breakthroughs that some users might have hoped for. Industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on both AMD’s driver strategies and Microsoft’s future OS developments to see if this balance ever shifts more favorably.
Concluding Thoughts
AMD’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident in its strategy to resolve longstanding issues, such as the VBS-related L3 cache misreporting on Windows 10. Nonetheless, the enduring performance penalties underscore a broader reality: system security enhancements often come with trade-offs that can’t be brushed aside with a simple driver update. For Windows 10 users with Ryzen X3D processors, the updated chipset driver is a welcome fix but doesn’t fully satisfy those yearning for uncompromised performance.As the industry continues to evolve, the interplay between enhanced security features and raw performance remains a key consideration. Whether you’re a gamer, a developer, or a power user, staying informed about these updates ensures you’re prepared to make decisions that best suit your performance and security needs.
In the ever-turbulent tech landscape, each incremental improvement opens the door to more ambitious changes on the horizon – a balancing act that both AMD and Microsoft will undoubtedly continue to negotiate.
Source: Neowin AMD finally fixes Windows 10 VBS issue for Ryzen X3D but it does not "fix" performance loss
