Intel to roll out 14th Gen's game optimization software to older 12/13th Gen hybrid CPUs after all

pcgamer.com:

Intel's performance-enhancing Application Optimizer software is set to be supported on some 12th and 13th Gen processors, in a complete reverse of the company's previous position on the matter.

Application Optimizer (APO) is a piece of software built into Intel's drivers that helps optimise processor performance in supported games. It has the potential to be quite handy, too. Intel cites up to double digit performance gains with APO enabled in Metro Exodus, for example.

Initially only supported on the 14900K/KF and 14700K/KF, there had been calls on Intel to open up the APO software—which is built into Intel's Dynamic Tuning Technology (DTT) driver—to older 12th and 13th Gen chips that utilise the same sort of hybrid architecture as the 14th Gen.

Intel had resoundingly shot down this idea to Hardware Unboxed, after the YouTube channel's own testing of the feature, when it quoted Intel as saying it «has no plans to support prior generation products with Application Optimization.»

Well, that's all changed at CES 2024. Just briefly mentioned during a presentation, Intel said it plans to support some prior generation products with Application Optimization—at least some 12th and 13th Gen K-series processors.

It makes sense to open the feature up where possible. APO appears to help increase utilisation of the low-power E-cores within Intel's hybrid architectures, and these are found on most chips since the 12th Gen.

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Intel says it'll have 14 games in total validated for APO by the next release, though that's across both