Ultimate BIOS Settings Guide: Configure and Optimize Your Computer's Performance

BIOS is the underlying software controlling the various components inside a computer.
The BIOS is running inside the Motherboard and works independently from the OS.
Its memory is stored on a battery located on the motherboard to save the BIOS configuration in case of power and hardware failure.

Since the BIOS controls everything on the hardware level it is recommended to configure it properly in order to reduce input lag and increase overall responsiveness.

Since the BIOS controls performance settings for the CPU and RAM, optimizing its options may show remarkable results.
Enable/Disable devices on the Motherboard, allows you reach peak performance on CPU.

All the major Motherboard brands release BIOS updates regularly.
Updates are primarily released to improve compatibility with newer hardware such as CPUs and RAM.
Other improvements may include bug fixes and general enhancements.

If your computer refuses to start, or if you are unable to access the BIOS during startup, you might need to reset the CMOS battery.
Carefully remove the physical battery from the motherboard to reset the onboard memory.
Place it back inside its socket to start over.
Wait 10 seconds before inserting the battery again and start up the system.

To enter BIOS, restart your computer and press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or Del) when prompted to do so. The key you need to press will be displayed on the first screen that appears when you turn on your computer.

Usually DEL or F2 or F8/12

The High Precision Event Timer (HPET) is a hardware timer that is used to improve the accuracy and resolution of time-based events in a computer system.

It was introduced as an alternative to the older Programmable Interval Timer (PIT) and Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) timer devices, which had lower precision and resolution.

HPET is supported by many modern operating systems and can be enabled or disabled in the BIOS settings of a computer.

It is not generally considered necessary for most users, but it can be helpful for certain applications that require high accuracy timing, such as scientific simulations or audio/video processing.

Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX) is a set of instructions that can be used by software developers to set aside a portion of memory called an "enclave" that is isolated from the rest of the system. The purpose of an enclave is to provide a secure area for sensitive code and data to be stored and executed.

SGX is supported by certain Intel processors and requires both hardware and software support to work. It is primarily used in enterprise and cloud computing environments, but it can also be used by individual software developers to create more secure applications.

Hyper-V is a virtualization technology developed by Microsoft. It allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical server, by creating virtual machines (VMs) that share the resources of the host system.
Each VM runs its own operating system, and can be configured and managed independently of the other VMs. Hyper-V is included in the Windows operating system, and can also be installed on Windows Server.

With hyper-threading, a single physical CPU core appears as two logical cores to the operating system, each with its own set of resources such as registers and execution units. This allows the operating system to schedule two threads on the same physical core, potentially increasing the throughput of the system.

Note that Hyper-threading is not the same as multi-core, where each core is a separate physical processor with its own set of resources. Hyper-threading is an addition to multi-core, which allows more efficient use of the available resources.

C1E (CPU Enhanced Halt) is a power-saving state that can be used by processors in a computer system. When a processor enters C1E state, it reduces its clock frequency and voltage, which reduces power consumption.

C1E is typically used in conjunction with other power management features, such as Intel SpeedStep or AMD PowerNow, to dynamically adjust the processor's power consumption based on the workload. This allows the system to conserve energy when it is idle or under light loads, while still providing full performance when needed.

Intel Speed Shift Technology is a power management feature that allows the processor to more quickly and efficiently adjust its voltage and clock frequency in response to changes in workload. This is in contrast to traditional power management methods, which rely on the operating system to make these adjustments, which can take longer and be less efficient.

With Speed Shift Technology, the processor can make these adjustments on its own, reducing the time it takes to transition between power states and improving overall system performance. This technology is available in Intel Core processors starting with the 6th generation (Skylake) and newer.

Platform Power Management (PPM) refers to the various power management techniques and technologies that are used in a computer system to reduce power consumption and improve energy efficiency.

This can include features such as CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E), Intel Speed Shift Technology, and Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support. PPM can also include hardware and software controls for managing power consumption of other components such as memory, storage devices, and peripherals.

The goal of PPM is to reduce power consumption when the system is idle or under light loads, while still providing full performance when needed. This can help to extend battery life in portable devices and reduce energy costs in enterprise systems.

Active State Power Management (ASPM) and Aggressive Link Power Management (ALPM) are power management features that are used to reduce power consumption in the PCI Express (PCIe) interface.

ASPM is a power management standard that is defined by the PCI-SIG (PCI Special Interest Group), the organization that manages the PCIe specification. ASPM allows for dynamic power management of the PCIe link between the processor and a device, such as a network controller or storage device. This can help to reduce power consumption when the link is idle or not in use.

ALPM, on the other hand, is a more aggressive power management feature that is available on some storage devices, such as solid-state drives (SSDs). ALPM allows the storage device to enter a deeper power-saving state, which can reduce power consumption even further than ASPM.

Together, ASPM and ALPM can help to significantly reduce power consumption in the PCIe interface, which can help to extend battery life in portable devices and reduce energy costs in enterprise systems.

The Compatibility Support Module (CSM) is a component of the BIOS firmware in some computers that enables the computer to boot using the legacy BIOS boot process, rather than the newer UEFI boot process.

This allows the computer to boot from older operating systems or boot devices that do not support the UEFI boot process.

The CSM is typically used in computers that are not designed for use with the UEFI boot process or that need to support legacy operating systems or boot devices.