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Recommended reading New Arrow Lake refresh rumours confirm addition of NPU to bring Microsoft's Copilot+ AI features to desktop machines Intel's next batch of CPUs might still be called Core Ultra 200S, possibly because the Arrow Lake refresh won't be much of a boost Graphics Cards The latest version of Intel's XeSS 2 now lets other GPUs run its AI-based frame generation system, throwing RTX 30-series owners a Team Blue-shaped bone An Intel Nova Lake leak suggests the next generation of Core Ultra chips will have 60% more multi-threaded performance, but the numbers just don't add up Graphics Cards Security mitigations in Intel's GPUs rob up to 20% of their compute performance but it's unlikely to be a problem in games Ex-Intel engineers are developing the 'biggest, baddest CPU in the world' by targeting IPC, not clockspeed or core counts I spoke with Arm about PC gaming and was told that Windows software compatibility is 'largely a solved problem' Intel engineer reassures gamers the company is 'still 100% vested in APO and in growing the capabilities of the technology' though not on older chips Hope Corrigan 15 August 2025 With how long it takes to roll out, it makes sense that APO is more than just assigning cores. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future) Those of us running Intel CPUs have had a bit to worry about in recent years. The company has not been doing too well with huge losses, layoffs, and disappointments surrounding some of its recent technologies. Anyone keeping an eye on the Intel Application Optimisation tool (APO) may have also noticed there's been a lack of updates, once again worrying consumers about the potential of their Intel chip. Well you wouldn't be alone, but we've just had some reassurances that this tech is still being worked on to optimise your Intel CPU. Intel's APO tool came about after the lackluster performance of Intel's 14th Gen processors, aka the Raptor Lake refresh. It was also applied to the following underperforming Arrow Lake release, and to older chips too. It's a piece of software built directly into the drivers that does exactly what it says on the tin: optimise applications to run on the faster P-cores on these chips. Related Articles New Arrow Lake refresh rumours confirm addition of NPU to bring Microsoft's Copilot+ AI features to desktop machines Intel's next batch of CPUs might still be called Core Ultra 200S, possibly because the Arrow Lake refresh won't be much of a boost The latest version of Intel's XeSS 2 now lets other GPUs run its AI-based frame generation system, throwing RTX 30-series owners a Team Blue-shaped bone It works at least in part by helping to manage threads in some games and allocate them directly to be processed on the faster cores in Intel's current hybrid architecture. Essentially APO is a tool to make games run better on these CPUs, and some gamers have been hanging out for these improvements. WWCFTech spotted some of these gamers on Intel's Reddit, asking about future updates to the APO. Given the current state of Intel, many suspected the project had been canned or the team behind it fired, but an Intel engineer going by the username Aaron_McG_Official has assured folks their fears can be put to rest. "We are still 100% vested in APO and in growing the capabilities of the technology. You should see an update per the ~quarterly release cadence shortly." Says Aaron_McG_Official in the Reddit thread. They also point out an update was released back in May, and states that a new update should be due out soon. Only a few games are added to the list each time so the progress can feel super slow, especially for someone waiting on a specific game they're dying to have run better. This seems to support Aaron_McG_Official's statements that APO is more than just assigning P-cores, as it seems it has to be made bespoke for different tasks and configurations. The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. (Image credit: Intel Corporation) The results delivered vary widely, with some people finding huge boons and others noticing little to no difference. Users are also reporting having difficulty getting the APO to work even with one of the 50 games that are on the list. Thankfully Aaron_McG_Official had some advice here too. If a game that should be on the list isn't, they recommend you check your settings as often non stock configurations can reduce compatibility. It could also be that your particular CPU and game aren't compatible, hopefully with a heavy "yet" implied. There is bad news here for folks with older chips. Our Intel engineer has also stated the company isn't working on APO for 12th and 13th Gen chips at the moment. Instead the focus is clearly on current and future generations of hardware. Given the complex nature and how slowly we are already seeing games added to the list, it seems Intel has made the decision to focus these efforts where it feels will be most valuable. For those running a compatible chip, it could be worth checking out what APO has to offer, especially when the new update rolls out. Hopefully we'll see further performance boons that make owning a hybrid CPU worthwhile for gamers who've already forked out the cash for one. Best CPU for gaming 2025All our current recommendations 👉Check out our full guide👈 1. Best overall: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 2. Best budget: Intel Core i5 13400F 3. Best mid-range: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 4. Best high-end: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 5. Best AM4 upgrade: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D 6. Best CPU graphics: AMD Ryzen 7 8700G Hope Corrigan Social Links Navigation Hardware Writer Hope’s been writing about games for about a decade, starting out way back when on the Australian Nintendo fan site Vooks.net. Since then, she’s talked far too much about games and tech for publications such as Techlife, Byteside, IGN, and GameSpot. Of course there’s also here at PC Gamer, where she gets to indulge her inner hardware nerd with news and reviews. You can usually find Hope fawning over some art, tech, or likely a wonderful combination of them both and where relevant she’ll share them with you here. When she’s not writing about the amazing creations of others, she’s working on what she hopes will one day be her own. You can find her fictional chill out ambient far future sci-fi radio show/album/listening experience podcast right here. No, she’s not kidding. 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New Arrow Lake refresh rumours confirm addition of NPU to bring Microsoft's Copilot+ AI features to desktop machines Intel's next batch of CPUs might still be called Core Ultra 200S, possibly because the Arrow Lake refresh won't be much of a boost The latest version of Intel's XeSS 2 now lets other GPUs run its AI-based frame generation system, throwing RTX 30-series owners a Team Blue-shaped bone An Intel Nova Lake leak suggests the next generation of Core Ultra chips will have 60% more multi-threaded performance, but the numbers just don't add up Security mitigations in Intel's GPUs rob up to 20% of their compute performance but it's unlikely to be a problem in games Ex-Intel engineers are developing the 'biggest, baddest CPU in the world' by targeting IPC, not clockspeed or core counts Latest in Processors AMD made major gains on Intel in the desktop CPU market over the last year, but still lags significantly behind in mobile, according to a Mercury Research report Windows on Arm gamers will be able to download Xbox app games locally but cloud gaming might still be a better option Cyberpower begins selling desktop PCs with carbon nanotube CPU cooling, possibly spelling the end of thermal paste catastrophes Things I have (sort of) learned: Audio fades are one of the most CPU-intensive tasks you can possibly do, and my maths is too awful to properly explain why Ex-Intel CEO calls current Intel CEO's plans for chip factory investment a 'joke' and wants Nvidia, Apple and Google to stump up the cash to save the fabs After saying he should resign 'immediately', President Trump changes his mind about Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and calls his 'success and rise' an 'amazing story', looks forward to fixes for Intel's foundry Latest in News I think I've found the actual best gun in the Battlefield 6 beta, and it's not the M87A1 Talks are reportedly underway for the US Gov. to take a stake in Intel, and its share price has already jumped 7% in response AMD made major gains on Intel in the desktop CPU market over the last year, but still lags significantly behind in mobile, according to a Mercury Research report Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass turn developers into 'wage slaves', says former PlayStation boss New report suggests that there are 3 million fewer PC gamers in Japan than 10 years ago, despite the market having at least tripled in size Steam store pages just got thicker than Emma Frost's thighs HARDWARE BUYING GUIDES LATEST GAME REVIEWS Best PCIe 5.0 SSD for gaming in 2025: the only Gen 5 drives I will allow in my PC Best graphics cards in 2025: I've tested pretty much every AMD and Nvidia GPU of the past 20 years and these are today's top cards Best gaming laptop in 2025: I've put the best of this new generation head-to-head and we have a winner Best gaming chair in 2025: I've tested a ton of gaming chairs and these are the seats I'd suggest for any PC gamer Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads Medion Erazer Deputy 15 P1 review Autonomous SmartDesk 5 review Mafia: The Old Country review—A failed experiment and a bitter disappointment Arctic Xtender PC case review Corsair Platform:4 gaming desk review PC Gamer is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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