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Processors

This menu offers options to change the processor settings.



Table 1. Processors details

Item

Options

Description

Processor Details

N/A

Display summary of the installed processors.

Turbo Mode

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

[Enabled] can boost the overall CPU performance when all CPU cores are not being fully utilized. A CPU core can run above its rated frequency for a short period of time when it is in turbo mode.

When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. To change the settings, choose System Settings > Operating Modes > Choose Operating Mode > Custom Mode.

Enabled is the default setting.

Note
If a CPU does not support the feature, it will not be displayed.

CPU P-state Control

  • None

  • Legacy

  • Autonomous

  • Cooperative without Legacy

  • Cooperative with Legacy

Control the CPU P-states (performance states).

[None]: All P-states are disabled and the CPUs run at either their rated frequency or in turbo mode (if turbo mode is enabled).

[Legacy]: CPU P-states will be presented to the OS. The OS power management (OSPM) controls which P-state is selected.

[Autonomous]: The P-states are fully controlled by system hardware. No P-state support is required in the OS or VM.

[Cooperative] is a combination of [Legacy] and [Autonomous]. The P-states are still controlled by hardware but the OS can provide hints to the hardware for P-state limits, indicating the desired setting.

When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. To change the settings, choose System Settings > Operating Modes > Choose Operating Mode > Custom Mode.

Autonomous is the default setting.

C-States

  • Legacy

  • Autonomous

  • Disabled

C-states reduce CPU idle power.

[Legacy]: The OS initiates the C-state transitions. ACPI C1/C2/C3 map to Intel C1/C3/C6.

[Autonomous]: HALT and C1 request get converted to C6 requests in hardware.

When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. To change the settings, choose System Settings > Operating Modes > Choose Operating Mode > Custom Mode.

Autonomous is the default setting.

C1 Enhanced Mode

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

[Enabled]: Save power by halting idle CPU cores. To use this feature, an OS that supports C1E state must be installed. Setting change takes effect after the next reboot.

When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. To change the settings, choose [Custom Mode] in "Choose Operating Mode" and [Legacy]/[Disabled] in "C-States" under the "System Setting" submenu.

Enabled is the default setting.

Note
C1E status is changeable only when "C-states" is not set to [Autonomous].

Hyper-Threading

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable Hyper Threading, which is a software method to enable/disable Logical Processor threads.

Enabled is the default setting.

Note
  • Changing this setting requires a Power Good reset to take effect.

  • If a CPU does not support the feature, it will not be displayed.

Trusted Execution Technology

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable the Intel Trusted Execution Technology (Intel TXT). Disabled is the default setting.

Intel Virtualization Technology

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable the Intel Virtualization Technology. Enabled is the default setting.

Hardware Prefetcher

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Lightly threaded applications and some benchmarks can benefit from having the hardware prefetcher enabled. Enabled is the default setting.

Adjacent Cache Prefetch

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

[Enabled] can benefit lightly threaded applications and some benchmarks. Enabled is the default setting.

DCU Streamer Prefetcher

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

[Enabled] can benefit lightly threaded applications and some benchmarks. Enabled is the default setting.

DCU IP Prefetcher

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

This item is typically best left enabled for most environments. Enabled is the default setting.

DCA

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

When enabled, DCA capable I/O devices such as network controllers can place data directly into the CPU cache, shortening response time. Enabled is the default setting.

Energy Efficient Turbo

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

When enabled, the CPU optimal turbo frequency will be tuned dynamically based on CPU utilization. This item is also influenced by "Power/Performance Bias".

When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. To change the settings, choose [Custom Mode] for "Choose Operating Mode" in "Operating Modes" and [Enabled] in "Turbo Mode" located under "System Setting" submenu.

Enabled is the default setting.

Uncore Frequency Scaling

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

When [Enabled], the CPU uncore (all miscellaneous logic inside the CPU package) will dynamically change the speed based on the workload. Enabled is the default setting.

MONITOR/MWAIT

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

MONITOR/MWAIT instructions are used to engage C-states. Some OSs will re-enable C-states even when they are disabled in setup. To prevent this, do the following:
  1. Disable MONNITOR/MWAIT

    .
  2. Choose System Settings > Operating Modes > Choose Operating Mode > Custom Mode

    .
  3. Choose System Settings > C-States > Disabled.

Enabled is the default setting.

UPI Link Disable

  • Enabled All Links

  • Disabled 1 Link

Disabling one of the CPU UPI links can save power. To achieve the maximum performance, all UPI links should be enabled.

When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. To change the settings, choose System Settings > Operating Modes > Choose Operating Mode > Custom Mode.

Enabled All Links is the default setting.
Note
The UPI function works only if two or more processors are installed.

SNC

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

SNC (sub NUMA cluster) partitions the cores and last level cache into clusters with each cluster bound to a set of memory controllers in the system. SNC improves average latency to the last level cache.

Disabled is the default setting.

Snoop Preference

  • Home Snoop Plus

  • Home Snoop

Select the appropriate snoop mode based on the workload.

You cannot select a snoop mode once and for all. The mode will be changed if the current hardware configuration does not support the desired mode. Also not that SNC has priority over the snoop mode.

Home Snoop Plus is the default setting.

XPT Prefetcher

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

XPT prefetch is a mechanism that enables a read request that is being sent to the last level cache to speculatively issue a copy of that read to the memory controller prefetching.

Enabled is the default setting.

UPI Prefetcher

  • Enabled

  • Disabled

UPI prefetch is a mechanism to get the memory read started early on DDR bus.

The UPI receive path will spawn a memory read to the memory controller prefetcher. Enabled is the default setting.
Note
The UPI function works only if two or more processors are installed.
Total Memory Encryption
  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable Total Memory Encryption (TME). Disabled is the default setting.

Multikey Total Memory Encryption
  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable Multikey Total Memory Encryption (MK-TME). Disabled is the default setting.
Note
This option is only available when "Total Memory Encryption" is [Enabled].
Max MKTME Keys (for Ice Lake processor only)N/A 
SW Guard Extensions (for Ice Lake processor only)
  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable Software Guard Extensions (SGX). Disabled is the default setting.
Note
This option is only available with some conditions. Before enabling this option, you need to:
  • Disable UMA-Based Clustering and enable Total Memory Encryption in System Setup; otherwise, this item is not available and not configurable.

  • Disable Mirror Mode; otherwise, this item may not work well.

For more details about enabling SGX, go to:

https://lenovopress.com/lp1471

SGX Factory Reset (for Ice Lake processor only)
  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable SGX Factory Reset.

When enabled, it will erase all registration data on subsequent boot, and will additionally force an Initial Platform Establishment flow when SGX is enabled. Disabled is the default setting.

Note
This item is only available with some conditions, same as SW Guard Extensions. Refer to the SGX document for details.
SGX Package Info In-Band Access (for Ice Lake processor only)
  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable SGX Package Info In-Band Access. Disabled is the default setting.
Note
This option is only available with some conditions, same as SW Guard Extensions. Refer to the SGX document for details.
UMA-Based Clustering (for Ice Lake processor only)
  • Disabled

  • Hemisphere

  • Quadrant

Options for this item include:
  • [Disabled] (ALL2ALL)
  • [Hemisphere] (2 clusters)
  • [Quadrant] (4 clusters, not supported on ICX)

Note
These option are only valid when SNC is disabled. If SNC is enabled, UMA-Based Clustering is automatically disabled by BIOS.
Hemisphere is the default setting.
Intel Speed Select (for Ice Lake processor and Bona only)
  • Base

  • Auto

  • Config1

  • Config2

  • SST-PP V2

If a CPU is installed that doesn't support SST, the Base option will be used regardless of the setting selected

[Auto]: The level of SST enablement is controlled automatically based on the number of CPU cores enabled in UEFI. Auto is the default setting.

[Base]: Effectively disabled SST.

[Config1]/[Config2]: Force the SST cores limits based on the config option selected.

[SST-PP V2]: Enable dynamic SST-PP mode. With SST-PP V2, the mode can be dynamically changed at runtime via Linux OS.
Note
[Config1]/[Config2] may override the option that enables the number CPU cores in UEFI.

LLC Prefetch

  • Disable

    d
  • Enabled

F1 LLC prefetcher is an additional prefetch mechanism on top of the existing prefetchers that prefetch data into the core DCU and MLC. Enabling LLC prefetch gives the core prefetcher the ability to prefetch data directly into the LLC without necessarily filling into the MLC.

L2 RFO Prefetcher

  • Auto

  • Disable

    d

One of 4 variables (IRQThreshold, StaleAtoS, CRQoSConfiguration, L2RFOPrefetchDisable) used to optimize performance for SAP HANA on servers with 2-hop memory configurations such as 4-socket ring, 6-socket and 8-socket configurations. The Auto option makes the L2 prefetcher less aggressive and lowers NT write bandwidth. The Disabled menu option limits burstiness and reduces snooping.

PECI Is Trusted
  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Enable/Disable trust for the system's PECI (Platform Environment Control Interface).

Select [Disabled] if a higher level of security is required. When [Disabled], some functions such as memory and I/O utilization reporting may not work. Enabled is the default setting.

Cores in CPU Package

  • All

  • 1

  • .

  • .

  • .

  • n-1

Select the number of cores enabled within each CPU package.

All is the default setting.

The number "n" is the maximum core count supported by the installed processor. For example, if the installed processor supports 6 cores, the options will show All, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

UPI Link Frequency

  • Minimal Power

  • Balanced

  • Maximum Performance

Select the desired CPU UPI link frequency.

[Maximum Performance] mode maximizes performance.

[Balanced] mode offers a balance between performance and power.

[Minimal Power] mode maximizes power savings.

When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. To change the settings, choose System Settings > Operating Modes > Choose Operating Mode > Custom Mode.

Maximum Performance is the default setting.
Note
The UPI function works only if two or more processors are installed.
CPU Frequency Limits
  • Full turbo uplift

  • Restrict maximum frequency

Note
This option is only available when "Turbo Mode" is enabled.

Full turbo uplift is the default setting.

UPI Power Management

N/A

Set the desired power management level for the CPU UPI interface.

[L1] is the most power-efficient but has longer latency compared to [L0p] or [Disabled].

When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. To change the settings, choose System Settings > Operating Modes > Choose Operating Mode > Custom Mode.
Note
The UPI function works only if two or more processors are installed.

CPU Frequency Limits

N/A
Note
This submenu is only available when "CPU Frequency Limits" is set to Restrict maximum frequency.

The maximum frequency (turbo, AVX, and non turbo) can be restricted to a frequency between the maximum turbo frequency for the CPU installed and 1.2 GHz. This can be useful for synchronizing CPU tasks.
Note
The maximum frequence does not change with the core count. The max frequency for N+1 cores cannot be higher than N cores. If an illegal frequency is entered, it will automatically be limited to a legal value.

If the CPU frequency limits are being controlled through application software, leave this menu item at the default ([Full turbo uplift]), choose [Custom Mode] for "Choose Operating Mode" in "Operating Modes" and [Enabled] in "Turbo Mode" located under "System Setting" submenu.

Processor Details

ItemOptionsDescription
Processor Socket
  • Socket 1

  • Socket n

Processor Socket Table.
Processor IDASCII stringTag for the Processor ID.
Processor FrequencyASCII stringValue for the Processor Frequency.
Processor RevisionASCII stringValue for the Microcode Revision.
L1 Cache RAMASCII stringAmount of L1 Cache RAM.
L2 Cache RAMASCII stringAmount of L2 Cache RAM.
L3 Cache RAMASCII stringAmount of L3 Cache RAM.
Cores Per Socket (Supported/Enabled)ASCII stringNumber of supported and enabled processor cores per processor socket.
Threads Per Socket (Supported/Enabled)ASCII stringNumber of supported and enabled processor threads per processor socket.
Processor 1 VersionASCII stringVersion of Processor 1.
Note
The string might be read as generic string format. If any concern, you might check with Intel dear customer letter (DCL) for more detail. Such as the “Brand String” field in the document.
Processor n VersionASCII stringVersion of Processor n.

UPI Power Management

ItemOptionsDescription
L1
  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Select the desired power management level for the CPU UPI interface. L1 saves the most power but has longer latency compared to L0p or Disabled. When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. If user would like to change the settings, please choose [Custom Mode] in “Operating Mode” located under “System Setting” submenu.

Note
The UPI function works only if 2 or more processors installed.
L0p
  • Enabled

  • Disabled

Select the desired power management level for the CPU UPI interface. L1 saves the most power but has longer latency compared to L0p or Disabled. When a preset mode is selected, the low-level settings are not changeable and will be grayed out. If user would like to change the settings, please choose [Custom Mode] in “Operating Mode” located under “System Setting” submenu.

Note
The UPI function works only if 2 or more processors installed.

CPU Frequency Limits

ItemOptionsDescription
CPU Frequency Limits  
Processors X to X cores active
Note
This item is dynamic text, depending on the current processor state.
  • Max turbo frequency –1 bin

  • Max turbo frequency –2 bins

  • Max turbo frequency –3 bins

The maximum frequency (turbo, AVX, and non turbo) can be restricted to a frequency that is between the maximum turbo frequency for the CPU installed and 1.2GHz. This can be useful for synchronizing CPU tasks.

Note

The max frequency for N+1 cores cannot be higher than N cores.

If an illegal frequency is entered, it will automatically be limited to a legal value.

If the CPU frequency limits are being controlled through application software, leave this menu item at the default ([Full turbo uplift]).