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BIOS Configuration

  1. Reset BIOS to optimal defaults
    • Most BIOS provide an option for this in one of the available menus
  2. Set the Package C-State Limit
    • When higher C-States values are made available such as C6, C7, C8 the more latency is introduced due to the time it takes to restore and transition the active power state.
    • Some configurations may be negatively impacted by disabling all avaiable C-States, if this is the case then try limiting the value to C2 or C3. This is likely due to a bottleneck in memory or cpu.
  3. Disable Intel (R) Speed Shift Technology
  4. Disable CPU Enhanced Intel Speedstep Technology (EIST) Function
  5. Turbo Boost
    • If isolating performance behavior issues, disable.
    • If you'd like to use Turbo Boost frequencies I'd recommend using a static overclock to reduce minor overhead from dynamic frequency scaling, otherwise enable.
  6. Enable Memory XMP Profile
  7. Set any Fast Boot Settings to OFF
    • This may be in the Memory and other sections which let you control what devices that are powered up before it reaches the OS to save boot times.
  8. Disable any Active State Power Management (ASPM)/Aggressive Link Power Management (ALPM) settings
    • This may be in the SATA and/or PCI configuration sections, check each section
  9. Set your SATA disk controlled mode to AHCI
  10. Disable OnBoard Video, Audio or Lan Controller if you have a PCI/USB one that is or will be installed.
  11. Set your Primary Display Output to your dedicated graphics card if present
  12. Leave High Precision Event Timer (HPET) ON in the BIOS if present or if it is enabled by default
  13. Make sure Platform Power Management is disabled
  14. Disable any onboard LED/RGB traces/lights, e.g. Gigabyte Ambient LED
  15. Set your PCI Express Max Link Speed to Gen3, devices can negotiate lower spec as needed.
  16. Set a static voltage for CPU vcore then use load line calibration (LLC) to help maintain constant voltage under load.
    • Reference CPU manufacturers documention as a guideline for vcore specifications.
    • Using auto/automatic values will increase voltage variability since it dynamically scales.
    • Use HWInfo and HWInfoCompare to compare static vs auto voltages, monitor for performance and stability.
    • Test out different LLC levels while under load (e.g. your game)
    • You should be able to achieve a near constant vcore voltage or at least a constant value 90% or more of the time without excessive overvolting or extreme LLC.

Other Considerations