SPEC CPU2017 Platform Settings for ASUSTek Systems

Operating System Tuning Parameters

cpupower:

The OS 'cpupower' utility is used to change CPU power governors settings. Available settings are:

• Performance: Run the CPU at the maximum frequency.
• powersave(default): Run the CPU at the minimum frequency.

Firmware / BIOS / Microcode Settings

Patrol Scrub:

Patrol scrubbing is a mechanism for the memory controller to periodically read all memory locations and write back corrected data. The time interval for scrubbing the entire memory is defaulted to 24-hour period. Values for this BIOS option can be: Enabled/Disabled. Current default is Enabled.

Intel VT for Directed I/O (VT-d):

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) by reporting the I/O device assignment to VMM through DMAR ACPI Tables. Values for this BIOS option can be: Enabled/Disabled. Current default is Enabled.

Hyper-Threading[ALL]:

Enables Hyper Threading(Software Method to Enable Logical Processor threads. Values for this BIOS option can be: Enabled/Disabled. Current default is Enabled.

SNC:

Sub NUMA Clustering (SNC) is a feature for breaking up the LLC into disjoint clusters based on address range, with each cluster bound to a subset of the memory controllers in the system. It improves average latency to the LLC and is an important pre-requisite to enabling KTI prefetch and is a replacement for the Cluster-on-Die feature found in previous processors. Values for this BIOS option can be: Auto/Enabled/Disabled. Current default is Auto ( Set to MRC default, current default is disabled).

IMC Interleaving:

This BIOS option controls the interleaving between the Integrated Memory Controllers (IMCs). If IMC Interleaving is set to 2-way, the memory addresses will be interleaved between the two IMCs. If IMC Interleaving is set to 1-way, there will be no interleaving. If SNC is enabled, you want 1-way interleave. If SNC is disabled, you want 2-way interleave. (See also Sub-NUMA Cluster.) Values for this BIOS option can be:

• 1-way: no interleaving
• 2-way: interleaving
• Auto: Set to MRC default, current default is 2-way interleaving

Current default is Auto.

SR-IOV Support:

In virtualization, single root input/output virtualization or SR-IOV is a specification that allows the isolation of the PCI Express resources for manageability and performance reasons. A single physical PCI Express can be shared on a virtual environment using the SR-IOV specification. If system has SR-IOV capable PCIe Devices, this option Enables or Disables Single Root IO Virtualization Support. Values for this BIOS option can be: Enabled/Disabled. Current default is Enabled.

ENERGY_PERF_BIAS_CFG mode:

This BIOS option allows for processor performance and power optmization. Available settings are:

• Performance: High performance with less need for power saving.
• Balanced Performance (Default Setting): Provides optimal performance efficiency.
• Balanced Power: Provides optimal power efficiency.
• Power: High power saving with less need for performance.

CPU C6 report:

Enable/Disable CPU C6(ACPI C3) report to OS. During the CPU C6 State, the power to all cache is turned off. Current default is Enable.

Engine Boost:

ASUS individual feature with the power acceleration design to increase CPU over-all performance. Available settings are: Disabled(default), Level1, Level2, and Level3(Max). A higher level means it could improve more performance, but comes with more power consumption.

Enforce POR:

Enforce plan of record restrictions for DDR4 frequency. Available settings are: Enable, Disable, and Auto(default; Sets it to MRC default setting; current default is Enable)

Memory Frequency:

When setting Enforce POR to Disable, users can set system memory speed to: Auto(default), 2133, 2400, 2666, and 2933.

LLC dead line allc:

In the processor non-inclusive cache scheme, MLC evictions are filled into the LLC. When lines are evicted from the MLC, the core can flag them as “dead” (i.e., not likely to be read again). The LLC has the option to drop dead lines and not fill them in the LLC. This can help save space in the LLC and prevent the LLC from evicting useful data. Available settings are:

• Disabled: Disabling this option can save space in the LLC by never moving MLC dead lines into the LLC.
• Enabled(default): Opportunistically move MLC dead lines into the LLC, if space is available.

CSM Support:

The Compatibility Support Module (CSM) is a component of the UEFI firmware that provides legacy BIOS compatibility by emulating a BIOS environment, allowing legacy operating systems and some option ROMs that do not support UEFI to still be used. Available settings are Enabled(default) and Disabled.