Intel Application Optimization: New Titles and Better Gaming Performance

Your system’s secret weapon just got stronger – Intel® Application Optimization (APO) is stepping up its game.

With the latest update, Intel is expanding APO support to include 15 new game titles, delivering faster frame rates for smooth, immersive gaming. Whether you are exploring expansive open worlds, battling in fast-paced shooters, or overcoming opponents in team-based combat, APO is now working behind the scenes to help you get the most from your Intel® Core™ Ultra processor.

We are excited to add the following games to the Intel APO lineup:

• 7 Days to Die
• Assetto Corsa
• Cities: Skylines
• Delta Force: Black Hawk Down
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
• Dyson Sphere Program
• EA Sports FC 24
• God of War
• Kerbal Space Program 2
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition
• The Callisto Protocol
• Wolfenstein Youngblood
• World of Warships
• 蜀山初章 

This update is being rolled out to our partners now. Please check with your motherboard vendor for more information on release timing and latest updates. 

These titles join a growing list of supported games that benefit from optimizations designed to improve CPU gaming frame rates. Thanks to better CPU thread scheduling and load balancing, gamers can expect up to 14% more performance in Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition and up to 11% in Dyson Sphere Program1.

APO is configuration dependent, meaning performance results and supported game experiences can vary based on system set up. Factors such as CPU model and graphics card solution influence how APO optimizations are applied. Game performance may differ across systems, and users should expect some variability depending on their hardware environment.

Check out some of the FPS performance gains across the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K when paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 in these new APO titles:

Another way APO benefits gamers is with improved 1% lows, representing the lowest frame rates your game might experience. These moments can be very short, but can feel like 'stutter' or 'judder', even when the average FPS is high. Improving these lows can make the game feel much smoother.

How to enable APO

If you are running a supported processor, enabling APO is relatively simple:

1. Make sure your system is compatible
   1. Have a supported processor listed below
   2. Ensure you are running Windows 11
   3. Have the latest BIOS and chipset drivers
2. Download and install Intel® Dynamic Tuning Technology (DTT)
   1. APO is delivered through the Intel DTT driver. You can find this driver on your motherboard’s support page.
   2. Once the driver is installed, APO is automatically enabled for faster gaming.
   3. APO updates are applied automatically once the Intel DTT driver is installed.
3. Download and install the Intel APO UI (optional)
   1. Available through the Microsoft Store
   2. This interface allows you to view and manage game-specific APO settings
4. Stay tuned for updates
   1. As Intel continues to expand APO game support, your system will automatically be updated

Processors supported by APO

Processors with limited Advanced Mode support

Unlike traditional game optimizations, APO is hardware-aware. It leverages the hybrid architecture of Intel Core processors (P-cores and E-cores) to assign threads based on the game’s real-time demands. This ensures better thread scheduling, reduced thread contention, and lower latency in CPU-bound scenarios.

More games. More performance. More reasons to game on Intel.

TL:DR: We’re rolling out a new wave of Intel APO game profiles. In our testing, games like Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition showed up to 14% higher FPS and up to 21% better 1% lows on games like Dyson Sphere Program when gaming on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090.

Workload and Configuration Details

1. As measured by World of Warships, 蜀山初章, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, The Callisto Protocol, Cities: Skyline, Dyson Sphere Program, and Metro Exodus on an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285K processor, showing Intel Application Optimization (APO) disabled vs enabled. Individual system results may vary as power and performance are affected by use, configuration, and other factors. Performance results are based on testing as of August 2025.
   Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285K 24C24T; PL1=PL2=250W; Memory: G.SKILL 2 x 16 GB DDR5-6400; Motherboard: ASUS ROG Hero Z890; BIOS: 1602; Storage: Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB; Display Resolution: 1920x1080; OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 26100.4946; Discrete Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 5090; Discrete Graphics Driver: 32.0.15.8097; Power Supply: Corsair RM1200x; Power Plan: High Performance; Tamper Protection: On; VBS: On; Defender: On

Notices and Disclaimers

Intel® Application Optimization is a policy within Intel® Dynamic Tuning Technology that optimizes performance on select games, with the required configurations on select Intel® Core™ processors. See Intel.com (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000095419.html) for additional details and see ark.intel.com for product information.

Performance varies by use, configuration and other factors. Learn more on the Performance Index site.
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