First time Win8 user

[Robert]

Hi I finally got Win 8 Pro but have some basic questions if these are answered in this forum point me to them please.
I have Win7 should I just install Win8 over this as per normal or should I format and fresh install?
What about my XXhighend activation? If I install over Win7 will I have to reactivate? I realise I would, over a fresh install.
In the light of my inferior lap top what basic settings would be good to start with for Win8?

Robert

[christoffe]

Hi Robert,

A)   When the laptop is for Audio only, then you should go for a clean install.
B)   Otherwise you may install W8 as a “double boot”  in a new partition with appr. 100GB.
C)   You need for W8 a new code from Peter.
D)   From my experience the best SQ is with the battery removed using the switching PS only.
E)   The laptop is normally optimized for a “battery saving” operation, so go into the “Control Panel”
F)   And there to  “System and Security”, then to “Power Options”, then to “Preferred Plan”  and select at the active plan “ Change plan settings”.
G)    A new tab opens and then select “Change advanced power settings”
H)   A new tab called “Power Options” opens. Here you have to select the alternatives for a permanent operation.
I)   Important is at “Processor power management” to modify the setting for “Minimum and Maximum processer state” to 50% or 60%, whatever you like. This means, the processor is running with the fraction of the maximum speed possible. When you start the “Task Manager”, you will see that the laptop is running with appr. 30% to 40% of the selected processor speed only.
J)   When you have a look to my “laptop settings” in the XXH forum, and with these settings my laptop is running without any problems, no clicks, nothing extraordinary. There are no problems with 192Khz/24 bit files too. It takes a little bit longer for the start of the music, but no clicks.

I see your music replay is with a 24/192 Benchmark DAC2L Preamp, and that initiates a smaller (favourable) load of the CPU.

So, have some fun with a new SQ later on.

kind regards

Joachim

EDIT: More infos about W8 see here:

http://www.phasure.com/index.php?board=22.0

[PeterSt]

Thank you Joachim.

And Robert, I'll return the money for the new Code required. Just common procedure.

Peter

[Robert]

Thanks Joachim and Peter. I am looking at building a dedicated server and retiring laptop. I will load W8 on the weekend. My laptop is dedicated to audio but is light on power to drive XXhighend as I would like.

Robert

[Robert]

Do I bother with Win updates?

[PeterSt]

Robert, no don't apply any.

Peter

[Robert]

“Minimum and Maximum processer state” to 50% or 60%

Joachim your suggestion removing battery works a treat. I do have a question I set the above to 60% but was wondering would 100% be better?

Windows 8 is much better than 7. I did a fresh install and used your XX settings. No clicks or problems so far. In fact everything runs smoothly, something I never had with W7. Perhaps it was time to fresh install.
I see you don't use any Xtweaks did you find these problematic?

[PeterSt]

I see that Joachim possibly doesn't understand the XTweaks settings and tries to make is own. This is up to dangerous (I am serious).

If you like you can use my settings (for Windows 8, see sig).

Peter

[Robert]

Peter I use Xtweaks but can't get Balanced load to run at 43. It just has a (-). The others all run at 1. Is this a problem? How could I fix this if I can?

Robert

[christoffe]

I see that Joachim possibly doesn't understand the XTweaks settings and tries to make is own.

Eh?,

I tested the XTweaks a couple of month/years ago and heard no difference, and so avoided it ........... until today.

The idea to decrease the CPU frequency for a better SQ comes from Peter and Co. They decrease the frequency via the BIOS, which is not possible at my laptop.

Joachim

Edit: An advantage is a CPU with more cores, like the i7-47** with 4 cores, but I will wait for Michaels report about his "low power" PC with an external PS.

 

[PeterSt]

The idea to decrease the CPU frequency for a better SQ comes from Peter and Co. They decrease the frequency via the BIOS, which is not possible at my laptop.

Hi Joachim,

Yes, but your idea to do it is a dangerous one and for sure not the better one. XTweaks operates partly in the same area you proposed but now under control. This is all about consistency with everything.
What's applied in the BIOS is also related to the consistency but it's a complete different (parallel) path. XTweaks will overrule that but you have to know that the BIOS keeps on acting as the base for it. In the end, using the BIOS as well, only allows you to make it better for net result.

Easiest would be to buy a 20 euros power (wattage) meter and observe that (feed the PC/laptop through it). You may be shocked (at different XTweaks settings).

Best regards,
Peter

[christoffe]

 XTweaks

Hi Peter,

Tested it, and as always, I do not get the results as intended. (not stable etc.) and with it loosing the treble/highs. The reason might be the lower "overall"  performance of the CPU.

Joachim

[PeterSt]

Joachim,

When I said earier in the topic "you might try my settings" I wasn't referring to you !
Laptops and such ...

So apart from the power meter you can also observe the CPU graph and then usually the one but last core.

Next thing, with XTweaks you can imply the same as what you saw (merely : set) with power management, so observe that too (I mean, what you see back in there when using XTweaks). Then you will see it can be the same (just try vary a few settings), but what you can't see is what happens under the hood for more things (which can't be done in Power settings). One of them, of course, is switching it off all together.

But hey, I am fine if you do it your own way and if it then sounds for the better. But be warned about processor life (for example). All I really want is that people don't think that your way is the way, which is why I didn't respond to it at first. But when people are going to apply it they need to know that there is risk involved. So example :

I)   Important is at “Processor power management” to modify the setting for “Minimum and Maximum processer state” to 50% or 60%, whatever you like.

This is completely wrong. Oh wait, you are (not coincidentally) correct in your idea about how important it is (to SQ) but you can't just do it like that.
Anyway this is how I said "maybe you didn't understand XTweaks". So investigate the "Balanced Load" parameter and watch what happens with that Minimum and Maximum in Power settings.

That's all !
Peter

[christoffe]

Hi,

For information  (tested prior to publication of my Laptop settings a couple of weeks ago) :

The ASUS laptop is equipped  with an Intel  i5-2410M processor with a max. allowable working temp of 100°C.
see:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i5-2410M-Notebook-Processor.45317.0.htmlhttp://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i5-2410M-Notebook-Processor.45317.0.html

Within the “power options” the clock rate is decreased (60% of max) to 1, 36GHz and during music replay the load is appr. 30 to 33% (acc. to the task manager). The exhaust temperature of the cooling air is around 30°C only, and with this temp. there is no danger for the processor with “overheating”.

I checked some  values with the program "HW monitor" too.
See: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

The power consumptions do not exceed 15Watts, most of the time they are around 4 Watts.

Joachim

[Robert]

Joachim

Have to say I prefer battery power on its own with my notebook. Struggle with any Switch mode supply for sound it has a bright, hardness that is not easy on the ear. Linear PS is the way forward.
I am using XT tweaks. I've lowered SFS to 1, everytime I lower the SFS it sounds better but alas my laptop runs out of energy to go much lower.
Also run clock res 5ms. Win 8 reveals much more.

Robert