XXHighEnd

Below you'll find screenshots which will tell you how so set all the BIOS settings for your XXHighEnd PC;
They are Windows 8 (SQ) oriented hence are not optimized for Windows 7 (notice that explicit Windows 7 optimization just wasn't sorted out (yet) for the latest XXHighEnd 1.186 version and that this does not tell all is wrong as such for Windows 7 (we use the same settings for Windows 7 here).

Keep in mind : Changing one of the advised settings to "your own" is OK, but the audio performance will degrade by it by guarantee and you can not see that. Of course this is not really about all the settings, but you'll get the hunch.

When a remark is to be made about certain settings you will find these *under* the screenshots.

Generally you can watch for the settings at the white arrows only; the others are default and don't need changes.

You go into the BIOS screens by means of (re)booting the PC and frequently press down the Del key.

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(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0201a.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0203a.jpg)
Overclocking : See the "Max Ratio" which is set to 12 here;
Watch out : The normal value for this will be "Auto" where you now see "Manual" and this equals a Ratio of 32 (or 34 depending on the processor) which shows up by default when the "Manual" setting is selected. Careful though, because a "Manual" setting of 32 (or 34 depending on the default) is not the same as the "Auto" setting. Now notice : As soon as the "Manual" setting is selected, no TurboBoost will be in order; This is just a general remark (and we don't want that), but good to know because your system will be slower of it.

What we do is UNDERclocking per means of the ratio of 12 which relates to XXHighEnd XTweaks setting of "Use Settings" and from top to bottom the values : 43, 100, 1, 1, 1. See here for Windows 8 :

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend/BIOS-XTweaks01.png)
Once booted into Minimized OS your processor will run at 430Mhz now (0.43GHz). Mind the consistency with the XTweaks settings.

Or for Windows 7 :

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend/BIOS-XTweaks02.png)
Winsows 7 will run at 500MHz (0.5GHz) with these XTweaks settings.
Notice : For Windows 7 it is possible to go as low as 168MHz but this is *not* for the better and with such a setting the processor will run 10C/18F more hot compared to what's considered normal here (40C/104F).

Alternatively you can set XTweaks to "Ultimate" for Windows 7 which is considered slightly worse for SQ but now the processor will run close to 1200MHz with a thus faster response.


The Ratio can be set to e.g. 40 for the actual OVERclocking and then your processor will run at 4Ghz (while normal is 3.2GHz or 3.4GHz) which still will be okay for the cooling you will see more about below (see "Cooling :").
Watch out : When the BIOS has been reset, while being in the BIOS the system runs in the hottest mode; this coincides with the fans running at high speeds (again see Cooling more below) with the notion that this is OK. BUT : Do not lower the revs of the fans, then reboot (the lower revs become active only then) to next look into the BIOS for ages without at least setting the "Manual" (picture above) because all then heats up fast.

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0204a.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0205a.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0220a.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0209a.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0210a.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0211a.jpg)
Notice : Normally this is not needed to set to Yes; however, when you want to boot from either of the removable bays, without setting this to Yes the booting will not be possible.
Mever mind warning messages about boot speed when you set this to Yes, because you won't notice a thing of it (so you just as well can set it to Yes before you forget about this later and look for the culprit at the system not wanting to boot (from a removable bay).

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0212a.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0213a.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0214a.jpg)
Watch out : While these are both disabled, it assumes a PCIe USB3 card for USB connections. Without that the *both* can not be shut off, or you won't have active USB connections (and can't connect your NOS1 when in order).

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0215c.jpg)
Cooling : The settings you see here (plus the below ones !) relate to the necessary cooling of the system; the settings you see assume normal operation hence not "overclocked". See for that "Overclocking" more above.
All sliders can be all the way to the left for complete silent operation (also note the fan control knob(s) on the back of the PC which can be turned all the way to the left) if only the frequency Ratio (see under Overclocking) is set to Manual and not higher than 32/34. But anyway watch the temperature in this "H/W Monitor" because all also depends on the ambient temperature;
Try to keep the processor's temperature under 52C/126F for better longivety while it sure is allowed to be higher (but elsewhere in the BIOS settings we limit it to 62C/144F).

Watch out : No fan settings or other in this screen (and the below one) will take effect immediately; this counts for all changed settings in the BIOS; only after a reboot they take effect. This, for example, means that when you set the fans too low with a too high cpu Ratio (overclocked) after a reboot things may run (too) hot right away (this goes real fast, like within seconds).
This is nothing to be afraid of, if you only realize that changes take effect only after a reboot.

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0216c.jpg)

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0217a.jpg)
"Manual" : Here you see which of your "boot devices" will be used first for booting, hence which will be your OS (version) when more are available. Would you click on the first option (where the "P4" shows) you will change whatever pops up and what you choose as the first boot device.
The importance of this : Supposed you have your internally assembled 2.5" drive still there but want to try another OS in e.g. the 2.5" bay, you can put the hdd with it in there, boot, go into the BIOS and select that hdd in the 2.5" bay.
Notice : The third "folder" option (yellow icon) you see there, allows to choose boot devices in the first place and when you just put in that other hdd in one of the removable bays you may need to click on that "Hard Drive BBS Priorities" option to make it appear in the list the white arrow points at.

(http://www.stordiau.nl/xxhighend pc/img_0218a.jpg)

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When done, click Exit in the main bar at the top, choose "Save" and after that the system will boot normally.

Can't tell you how long I've been waiting for this! Thanks, Peter.

Hi Peter,

A fair bit of effort on your part to do this and I am sure that many will appreciate it. 

Is there a reason that you are running an old version of the BIOS?  I notice you are using P2.10 but the current version is P3.0.

A couple of extra things that I had turned off in the Southbridge section:

• Onboard audio
• Onboard Debug Port LED

Also in the ACPI Config page I had disabled "Suspend to Ram" because I have disabled hibernation and sleep in windows8.

Are you intending to provide further instruction about underclocking the cpu to piggyback these BIOS settings Peter?

Thanks once again.

Regards,

Anthony

Hey Anthony,


I think we're a couple of versions further than 3.0 but it's no problem.

I use 2.10 just because I don't upgrade to each new version; see no reason for it either. A bit fuzzy it is though that a new customer would receive 3.x while that's just n the mobo and it can't be downgraded (I actually never tried, but often this won't work). This, while older customers received 2.x for sure (can even be 1.x which is not suitable for W8 officially).
So it's a choice and it should be "readable" for everyone.


No. Why ? because then you will be confronted with some nice Windows sounds in Normal OS - at least at startup of Windows 8. Remember, no preamp so this is not funny.
So what I do is making the one left audio digital device default for WDM (which is active in Normal OS) and now the windows sounds go to there.
In Device Manager I disable all the on-board sound devices but that one.

But please notice :
You are one of the few (to be counted on one hand) who actually knows a few things about Windows and PC's while the PC is sort of explicitly meant for those who don't know a thing about it all. So it shouldn't be too complicated. Thus, already my small remark about disabling sound devices in Device Manager would drive those people crazy and it needs another guide. It really does, because when the PC is shipped this is all arranged for, while this XXHighEnd PC section actually (and finally) has been made for those who accidentally reset their BIOS or needed to reinstall etc.
So there is SO much more to lay out that I actually will never have time for it. But the start is there now.

And all doesn't imply that guys like you are not allowed to ask / interfere / have better ideas and options. I only hope it is clear that such discussions are not to be understood really by the n00bs although it would help (them) if they would. It all needs baby steps and that is for a good reason.


Maybe a good idea. Not sure, because not sure what it can bring when people have problems. Off = Off.


Should be a good one. Why ? because the PC is shipped like this (one of the ~500 subjects of OS changes ;)).
But now it needs a guide for that again ... haha

Envision that list of 500 subjects of changes and hand that to someone who first asks "what's Explorer ?". Really.
So now you also know why I spent so much time on fabricating a "restore" possibility (which could be downloaded from here). Works, but unfinished project at this time ...


Now I am not sure what you are referring to;
What's described is all it needs, BUT it doesn't incorporate tuning memory voltage etc. if that is what you mean. But since I am not doing that myself either, it now is a consistent set of (here) well working settings.
Although you can't see it, don't underestimate what the settings in this consistent set do to the OS, with the notice that it is more than e.g. detaching the DVDROM drive (etc.). So that too is not in the instructions, since it would only be too inconvenient (I have it attached myself just the same).
So again, many more things can be done and it can't harm to mention them, if only people don't get obsessed by now *wanting* it while not being able to. This really is in order you know. Just ask people how they see others rave about W8 while they are on W7 and don't know where to go. They really (really !!) ask for buying a new PC only for that. But, create that OS disk and a day of instructions and that's also fine.

Thanks !
Peter

For those interested and who already looked at the BIOS screens : I added a screenshot of the XTweaks settings for Windows 8.

Peter,

Do you use the XMP mode or do you leave the memory in its native mode (I mean native speed) ?

Thanks :)

Alain

"Native speed" Alain.
Peter

In the first post I have added XTweaks settings exlplicitly for Windows 7 (see new screen shot).

Would these settings you have used in your i73930k Bios work in my new i7 4790k, 4ghz, 4core processor?

Mine is set to auto currently as per factory. What would you suggest?

Robert

Hi Robert,

Really hard to tell. But if your MoBo is the same brand (ASRock) you can at least try it and with that MoBo all is harmless to try (if you stick to the proposed settings).

Peter

Hi Peter,
Baby steps form me  :)
I use Asrock Z97 extreme MB with Windows 10. Could you tell me the above tweaks in BIOS are still relevant. Or you can give me an updated suggestions.
Best,
Zheng

Hello Zheng,

I'd say that all the settings will just apply to your Z97.
They were never changed (also not over here internally).

Of course it is ~ two years ago that we formally shipped this PC but I don't think we would have changed settings anyway (no new thoughts on the matters of concern).

Best regards,
Peter

I finished modifying BIOS based on your recommended settings as close as possible. In places my BIOS screens are somewhat different but same in principle. Now my machine is running at around 1200mhz (more room to go down a bit, still need to try) and memories chips at 1333mhz. One single CPU fan is on "silence" mode which only turns a few seconds at boot but otherwise totally stationary. it is pretty silent. It sounds better. :)

OK
So let me get this straight, we buy a Ferrari & tune it to run like a mini? The prime reason, to run cooler? To reduce power consumption (which of course will reduce temp) or....
Jack

Jack, its all about better sound!!!!! Try it, unfortunately it takes time to prove but it works.

Jack, almost correct;

We buy a Ferrari motor, put it in a Mini which is not capable of doing 230mph because of aero dynamic constraints and poor brakes, but we will can accellerate from 0 to 60 in 1.8 seconds wich is even twice faster than the original Ferrari chassis.

This is seriously how it works and how e.g. XTweaks (in XXHighEnd settings) these days co-operate with these settings.

FYI, investigate the Stealth PC. These days that goes out with preferably an 28 core processor while tuned down to 500MHz. Say that its accelleration speed is obtained by using 28 cylinders instead of 4.

Btw in the UK there are far too many Mini's by now. It must be the best selling car ever.

Peter

The analogy is all so fascinating! The resulting music presentation is always the last word. I tried putting CPU back to its default 3200mhz (not even overclocking) and soon I lost interest in following the music. I found myself restless and music became shrieky and irritable. Now my CPU runs at its lowest allowed 800mhz.

Zheng

Peter,
Any thoughts on memory speed? Currently mine are on MoBo's default 1333. Would it be ok to put in the memory's native speed and its latency numbers? My thought is that with CPU running at 800mhz in my case, some long classical tracks especially MQA ones (30 min. and up) are taking very long time to load. Would memory speed even help without a penalty at SQ?

Best,
Zheng