Aorus AI Snatch is the name of Gigabyte’s new app that enables its X3D turbo mode in Windows.

In October, we covered a new setting on some Gigabyte AMD motherboards known as X3D turbo mode. Leaving aside the questions about the performance claim, one concern with the option was the requirement to enter the BIOS each time you wanted change the setting. Gigabyte has a solution for that in the form of a Windows application called Aorus AI Snatch. Oh, dear Lord.

According to the press release, the app only switches X3D turbo mode on and off. It's not a standalone application, but a small GCC (Gigabyte Control Center) add-on. It's not possible to toggle the feature on the fly as it requires a reboot of the system.

According to Igor’s Lab, X3D Turbo Mode does two things: disable the secondary Core Complex Die (CCD) on Ryzen 9 processors and disable SMT.

You can also turn a Ryzen 9 9950X processor with 16 cores and 32 threads into an 8-core processor with 16 threads. Why would someone want to do this? AMD claims that its dual-CCD processors perform better when the threads of all programs are handled by the CCD.

The 3D V-Cache, which boosts performance, is only available on the primary CCD of the Ryzen 7950X3D or Ryzen 7900X3D. AMD insists on this requirement for the dual-CCD Zen 5 models. My own testing on the Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X shows that they run games better when both CCDs are used.

AMD is expected to announce X3D processors for these chips at CES 2025, in January. However, it's not clear whether X3D turbo mode will make a difference. We'll make sure to check it when we have the chance.

Let's pause and ponder what Gigabyte's team of marketing thought when, following a presumably long brainstorming session, they settled on the Aorus AI Snatch name. I can understand the middle word, since everything is AI now, regardless of whether it's AI or not.

But snatch. I won't go into the euphemistic meaning of the word (hint: It's a bit rude), but the typical definition would be to'steal by grabbing' or 'acquire something quickly when the opportunity arises'. There's nothing snatchy in launching a piece of software, clicking on a button, and then going to an optional area.

If you want to be edgy with the name of an app, at least spell-check it. 'Post resart' anyone?

The marketing team has certainly gotten one thing right, and that is that people will pay attention to an Aorus AI Snatch. Heaven only knows what else was considered: the Aorus AI Wang Wizard. The Aorus AI Clunge Control? I shudder at the thought. Thank you for your understanding.