Intel Expands Support for Binary Optimization Tool: 7 New Games and Up to 27% More FPS
Intel has expanded the support for its Binary Optimization Tool (iBOT), a technology introduced with the latest generation Core Ultra processors aimed at enhancing the performance of already released applications without requiring any intervention from developers. With the latest update of the Intel Platform Performance Package (version 26.06.100.32), the number of compatible games has increased from 12 to 19.
The new additions to the list include:
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Homeworld 3
- Little Nightmares III
- Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- The Callisto Protocol
- Warframe
According to Intel, the seven newly introduced titles can achieve an average performance increase of 12%, while the maximum gain could reach 27% in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Warframe would see a 16% improvement, while Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition would stand at about 2%.
Unlike traditional optimizations delivered through game updates, iBOT intervenes directly on the already compiled binary code. The technology analyzes the behavior of instructions during execution on Intel processors and redirects some workloads to more efficient execution paths. This approach leverages techniques defined by Intel as Hardware Profile-Guided Optimizations (HWPGO), which use information collected directly from the hardware to identify possible areas for improvement.
For this reason, the operation of iBOT has been compared to a sort of translation and software optimization layer, although it does not deal with converting instructions between different architectures. Instead, the goal is to promote the use of the most efficient x86 instructions available on compatible platforms, then distributing optimization profiles to users via updates.
Click to enlarge
However, the technology is not universal. Intel itself points out that some games and applications are already sufficiently optimized and do not show significant benefits. Moreover, the gains can vary significantly depending on the processor used and the software analyzed.
The update is intended for Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors, Core Ultra 200HX Plus models, and some Core Ultra Series 3 CPUs. Compatible models include, among others, Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, and Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. Older Intel processors cannot utilize the technology, as iBOT requires specific hardware registers present in the new architectures.
Intel, up to 30% of FPS is 'capped': in games, the limit is not the hardware, but the software optimization. To activate the feature, it is necessary to install the latest version of the Intel Platform Performance Package, enable advanced mode in the Intel Application Optimization (APO) interface, and turn on the switch dedicated to the Binary Optimization Tool. Once the procedure is completed and the system is restarted, the optimizations are automatically applied to the supported games.