Intel Reverses Course on APO -Support for 12th and 13th Gen CPUs

In a surprising turn of events, Intel has announced plans to bring Application Performance Optimization (APO) support to its 12th and 13th Gen desktop CPUs. The decision comes after the tech giant initially stated that APO, a feature designed to boost game performance, would only be available for certain 14th Gen CPUs.

Complaining helps a lot, when it is reasonable, it is bound to happen.

Intel’s initial decision to exclude APO support for its 12th and 13th Gen CPUs was met with significant backlash. Despite these CPUs sharing similar architectural (Gracemont E-Cores) traits with the 14th Gen CPUs, Intel confirmed in November 2023 that APO would not be supported on these processors.

The decision was widely criticized by the tech community, including media outlets such as GamersNexus and users on Reddit.

Backlash and Intel’s Response to APO

The tech community’s response was swift and critical. Many pointed out that the 12th and 13th Gen CPUs were architecturally similar to the 14th Gen CPUs, making the exclusion of APO support seem arbitrary. The backlash was particularly strong on platforms like Reddit, where users expressed their disappointment and frustration.

In response to the criticism, Intel has now announced plans to bring APO support to some 12th and 13th Gen K-Series CPUs.

This is a significant development, as it means that a large number of gamers using Intel’s K-Series CPUs from the 12th and 13th Gen family will now be able to benefit from the performance boosts offered by APO.

What is Intel APO and Why is it Important?

Application Performance Optimization is a technology developed by Intel to enhance the performance of its CPUs, particularly in gaming scenarios. APO works by optimizing the utilization of the E-cores in Intel’s CPUs. E-cores, or Efficiency cores, are designed to handle less demanding tasks, freeing up the P-cores (Performance cores) to handle more intensive tasks.

This can result in performance boosts of up to 32% in certain games. By extending support to its 12th and 13th Gen CPUs, Intel is effectively unlocking additional performance potential in these processors.

With the extension of Application Optimization support to 12th and 13th Gen CPUs, Intel is demonstrating its commitment to improving the gaming performance of its processors. This move is likely to be welcomed by the gaming community, and it will be interesting to see how it impacts the performance of these CPUs in real-world gaming scenarios.

In conclusion, APO is a crucial technology that has the potential to significantly enhance the performance of Intel’s CPUs. Its importance cannot be overstated, particularly in the context of gaming where optimal performance is key. As Intel continues to develop and refine this technology, we can expect to see even greater performance improvements in the future. Fingers crossed to see our 12th 13th and 14th gen processors purchase to age like fine wine!

Image Source: Intel