Should I enable or disable SpeedStep in the BIOS?

[D. Eric franks]

Definitely enable it. SpeedStep just kicks the speed of the processor up dynamically when needed, and keeps the speed lower when it’s not for efficiency. For example, when posting on the Cow, your CPU can run at a lower speed, but when rendering in Vegas, the speed bumps up – often quite a bit faster. You can use a simple CPU monitoring utility and actually see it do this (one probably came with your motherboard software, SpeedFan, RealTemp, etc.).

Incidentally, other than playing with voltages, you can safely tweak items in your BIOS if you want to play around and untweak them if your OS won’t boot or if the machine is unstable after.

______
“If my film makes one more
person miserable, I’ve done my job.”
— Woody Allen

[Bob Peterson]

Don’t be too quick to advocate boosting voltages. My Alienware portable has just burned out its video card for the fourth time because games are being played on a gaming machine. I am quite sure that Alienware will refuse to fix it this time even though they designed it. They have already charged me over $1,000 for “repairs”, but it has been two months since the last video card was installed. The system is quite stable until the video card fails.

I’m still debating about whether it should remain a boat anchor, or if I will replace the video card and use it for less strenuous activity.

[D. Eric franks]

Good point Bob, sorry if I wasn’t clear:

I am definitely NOT recommending boosting voltages!

Other than boosting voltages, BIOS settings are safe to tweak. Now, granted, many random tweaks will cause your computer to totally bomb and fail to boot, but I can’t think of anything other than voltages that will actually cause damage.

[Mary Waitrovich]

Would you be willing to give directions on how to enable SpeedStep for the BIOS-timid?

thanks,
Mary Waitrovich
Media Plus You, LCC

[D. Eric franks]

I would be willing to help you check to make sure SpeedStep is enabled: it almost certainly is, by default. Now that I think about it, I’m not so sure if it should be thought of as a speed booster or an efficiency tool: I think SpeedStep throttles the processor back when it’s not being exercised. That’s the older way. The latest processors (from the last year) have an automatic overclock thingee that would also be on by default, but I can’t remember if it’s called “SpeedStep” or if it has a new clever name.

In most cases, you press the DEL key during boot to get into the BIOS. Once there, unfortunately, who knows what the BIOS programmers decided to call it. We can look it up if you can tell me (1) the motherboard manufacuter (Abit or ???) or (2) the BIOS manufacturer (Phoenix or ???) and (3) the processor.