Windows 11 Update Causes Significant Performance Drop for Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Users

Mar 3, 2025 at 8:24 PM

The latest updates to Windows 11, specifically the 24H2 version with patches KB5050094 and KB5051987, have introduced notable performance issues, particularly affecting users of Intel's newer processors. Reports from various sources indicate that when applications are minimized or lose focus, CPU speeds drop dramatically, leading to a significant decrease in overall system performance. This problem seems to be exclusive to certain Intel models, leaving older processors unaffected. The situation has prompted some users to explore alternative solutions such as adjusting BIOS settings or modifying power configurations to mitigate the slowdowns.

According to user feedback, the performance degradation is widespread across multiple applications, including benchmarking tools like Prime95 and compression software like 7Zip. A specific case highlights a user who noticed their 7Zip benchmark scores halved upon minimizing the program, even when distributing the workload across all 24 cores of their Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor. This suggests that the issue extends beyond a single application and is more likely tied to the recent Windows updates.

Interestingly, this performance dip does not affect older processors such as the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X or the Intel Core i9-12900K, indicating that the problem may be specific to Intel’s latest LGA 1851 platform. Although there are no widespread reports of similar issues on other platforms, some users have noted additional problems like software crashes and compatibility issues. Despite the affected Intel Core Ultra 9 285K being listed as supported by Microsoft for Windows 11, it remains unclear why these performance issues have arisen.

Microsoft has yet to officially acknowledge or address the problem, leaving users hoping for a prompt resolution. While the company has not provided any timeline for a fix, the expectation is that a solution will be forthcoming. In the meantime, affected users are exploring temporary workarounds to maintain acceptable levels of performance on their systems.