Performance Tuning Guide

Intel DX58SO2/DX58OG Desktop Board Performance Tuning Guide
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3.1.4 Power Supply
Performance tuning will increase the demand on the system power supply. Lower
wattage power supplies may have insufficient capacity once the load imposed by the
board, graphics card(s), the processor cooler, other system fans, hard drives, CD/DVD
drives, and other accessories are combined. Inadequate power supply capacity will
result in system shutdowns and stability problems when performance tuning is
attempted or later when a performance tuned system is being operated.
For Intel Desktop Board DX58SO2/DX58OG, the power supply should have at least
200 watts of unused capacity to accommodate the typical needs of performance tuned
processor and memory. For more extreme performance, additional capacity beyond
the extra 200 watts will be needed. Additional power supply capacity will also be
needed if a performance tuned graphics card or pair of graphics cards will be included
in the system. Consult the graphics card manufacturer’s specifications to determine
these additional capacity requirements.
3.1.5 System Cooling
Performance tuning will result in additional system heat generation. Increased cooling
capability may be required to allow performance tuning and stable operation of a
performance tuned system. Considerations for increasing cooling capability may
include, but are not limited to, chassis type, selection of air or liquid cooling, processor
cooler design, memory module design, and overall system airflow. Extreme
performance tuning requires system designs with increasingly sophisticated cooling
capabilities. It is beyond the scope of this guide to provide detailed recommendations
for system cooling.
CAUTION
Cooling induced moisture condensation from refrigerant systems, dry ice, liquid
nitrogen, or other uncommon cooling methods will result in risk for electrical shorting
and subsequent damage to the board and/or the system.
3.2 Suggestions for Effective Tuning
Optimal results will occur if tuning efforts are directed appropriately. For example, if
performance improvements with a certain gaming application are desired, then tuning
efforts should be directed at the system resources used by the game. If the game
software has intensive processor computational work, but relatively light demands on
system memory, then focusing performance tuning efforts on memory will not yield
significant improvements.
System resource (processor, memory, etc.) utilization can be determined by running
your software application while monitoring resource usage. Resource usage can be
monitored with the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility. Also, your software supplier should
be able to provide information about system resource utilization with their application.