The 7950X3D setup process is a bit complicated
Up until now, upgrading to a new CPU was as easy as checking to see if your BIOS offered support, and if not, flashing it. Then make sure you have new thermal compound on hand to replace and reinstall the cooler. easy! Well, this time there are a few more steps. AMD providing a setup guide (link) is a complicated enough process. Not configuring the new part properly won’t keep the CPU from working, but the expected performance boost with this new 3D V-Cache part won’t come without going through a few hoops .
The basic setup steps (the only pain point is the recommendation for a clean install of Windows) are:
- An updated version of Microsoft Windows 10 or 11
AMD recommends newer images of Windows 11 version 21H2 build 22000.1455 or Windows 10 version 1903 build 19044.2546. Windows 10 works with Virtualization Based Security (VBS) running, but L3 cache reporting may be incorrect. - Latest BIOS for your motherboard
Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest BIOS available for your system. While it makes sense to check that the Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 7900X3D are supported by your motherboard’s CPU compatibility list before purchase, the latest BIOS available after the February 28, 2023 launch date can be expected to support these processors. - Latest AMD Ryzen Chipset Driver
AMD Ryzen 7000 processors with AMD 3D V-Cache technology require AMD Chipset Driver 5.02.16.347 (or later) for optimal system performance and stability. X3D / Ryzen 9 gaming performance optimizations will not be enabled when using older versions of this driver. After installing the chipset driver, you need to reboot the system.
If you enjoy clean installs of your OS, you’re fine here. This is what I think 1% of people are likely to do. But you’re not done yet. Here are the detailed steps:
- Make sure the Xbox Game Bar app is installed and updated
This application should be updated to the latest version (5.823.1271.0 at the time of writing). If your application is not updated to the latest version, you can do so by following these steps:- Open Microsoft Store. This can be found on the taskbar or on the Start menu tile.Login if necessary
- Click the three-dot menu icon. This icon is in the upper right corner of the app window.
- [ダウンロードと更新]Click.This should be the first option in the menu
- [アップデートを取得]Click
- Wait for first boot Note: The first system boot after platform assembly may take a few minutes. At this point, the system may appear to be unresponsive. This period is used to perform memory training on first boot. After this initial memory training, boot/POST/reboot times are reduced to the typical 5-10 seconds we are used to on AMD socket AM4. His upcoming BIOS release will reduce this first/first boot time.
Updating the BIOS and chipset drivers is a simple task, but the need to use the latest version of Xbox Game Bar is a bit unusual. Also, you should double check that the chipset drivers actually installed everything. Also, if you do a CPU swap (testing different AM5 processors), it’s a good idea to rerun the chipset software. In my experience you can miss important drivers even after running the latest chipset installer, so double check the device he manager for any unknown devices.
