Performance Tuning Guide

Intel DX58SO2/DX58OG Desktop Board Performance Tuning Guide
3
Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Intel
®
Extreme Tuning Utility .............................................................. 8
2 Intel
®
Core™ Processor Family and Intel
®
X58 Express
Chipset General Concepts
2.1 Architecture...................................................................................... 9
3 Intel Desktop Board DX58SO2/DX58OG Performance
Tuning Using BIOS Setup
3.1 Hardware Considerations for Performance Tuning ................................ 11
3.1.1 Board ................................................................................. 11
3.1.2 Processor............................................................................ 11
3.1.3 Memory .............................................................................. 11
3.1.4 Power Supply....................................................................... 12
3.1.5 System Cooling.................................................................... 12
3.2 Suggestions for Effective Tuning........................................................ 12
3.3 Accessing BIOS Setup...................................................................... 13
3.4 Recovering from an Unstable System ................................................. 13
3.4.1 Hardware Watchdog Timer .................................................... 14
3.4.2 Back to BIOS (B2B) Button.................................................... 15
3.4.3 BIOS Configuration Jumper.................................................... 15
3.4.4 Remove Power and Reboot .................................................... 16
3.5 Intel Desktop Board DX58SO2/DX58OG Performance Tuning Process...... 16
3.5.1 Simplified Tuning Process for Intel
®
Core™ i7 Extreme Edition
Processors........................................................................... 16
3.5.2 Simplified Tuning Process for Intel
®
Core™ i7 Non-Extreme
Edition Processors ................................................................ 17
3.5.3 Detailed Performance Tuning Process Steps ............................. 18
3.5.3.1 Configure BIOS for Performance Tuning ..................... 19
3.5.3.2 Set Processor Overrides (Voltage, Current,
and Power) ............................................................ 20
3.5.3.3 Decrease Memory Speed.......................................... 21
3.5.3.4 Decrease QPI Data Rate........................................... 23
3.5.3.5 Increase Core Ratio Limits (Also Referred to
as Multipliers or Turbo Ratios) and/or Host Clock
Frequency.............................................................. 23
3.5.3.6 Check Stability ....................................................... 26
3.5.3.7 Tune Memory......................................................... 27
3.5.3.8 Tune QPI............................................................... 30
3.5.3.9 Recheck Stability .................................................... 30
3.5.3.10 Balance Settings Between Processor, Memory,
and QPI................................................................. 31