BIOS/Video RAM Cacheable

[coastertux]

I have heard that it helps performance if you turn off the caching of the BIOS and the Video RAM to the L2 cache. Is this really a good idea?

 

[BillLeeLee]

BIOS RAM cacheable used to a good idea when operating systems accessed the BIOS. Modern OSes however, don't need this enabled. As for Video RAM cacheable, disable that too. You'll get that precious L2 cache back.

 

[coastertux]

Any other BIOS tweaks you would recommend?

 

[xbreaka]

System Bios Cacheable : Disable (For better stability)
Video Ram Cacheable : Disable (For better stability)
AGP Aperture size : 128MB (For me that is sufficient)
FSB Spread Spectrum : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
AGP Spread Spectrum : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
CPU Thremal Throttling : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
Enhance PCI Performance : Disable (For better stability when oc)
CPU disconnect feature : Enable (For lower idle temp)

there ya go my list fo tweaks

 

[coastertux]

Originally posted by xbreaka
System Bios Cacheable : Disable (For better stability)
Video Ram Cacheable : Disable (For better stability)
AGP Aperture size : 128MB (For me that is sufficient)
FSB Spread Spectrum : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
AGP Spread Spectrum : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
CPU Thremal Throttling : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
Enhance PCI Performance : Disable (For better stability when oc)
CPU disconnect feature : Enable (For lower idle temp)

there ya go my list fo tweaks

Could someone explain what all these settings are (except for the "Cacheable" ones)? Will disabling spread spectrum cause interference with other parts in my system? Does the AGP Aperature need to be based on what card you have and how much memory it has?

 

[jacuzz1]

Set your agp aperature to 128 unless you have less than 512 meg ram and you run XP.

256 has little or no effect.

Disable all bios caching thats a legacy issue.

Make sure agp is set for priority over pci if you have that setting.

 

[coastertux]

Originally posted by xbreaka

FSB Spread Spectrum : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
AGP Spread Spectrum : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
CPU Thremal Throttling : Disable (For better stability when oc:ing)
Enhance PCI Performance : Disable (For better stability when oc)
CPU disconnect feature : Enable (For lower idle temp)

The above are what I still need explaning.

I currently have 256mb of RAM and run Win. XP. What should I set my VGA aperature for?

 

[SKiTLz]

Spread Spectrum Settings are related to EMI. It attempts to lower the EMI from my understanding, how I dont know. Ive never enabled it. I think its a bit of a gimmick feature. Someone with better insight can probably clear it up for you better however.

Thermal Throttling. Slows down your CPU when it is getting to hot. Overheat Protection

other two no idea..

 

[jacuzz1]

The single most effective tweak you can do right now is get at least anther 256 meg of ram. Leave aperature at default 64 untill you do so. The extra memory is less of an issue as it relates to your aperature and more of an issue as it relates to
XP performance. Xp runs as smooth as glass with a gig, very well with 512 and is nominal with 256.

In my humble opinion, your are not allowing xp to reach its potential as it relates to your individual computing experience unless you are running at least 512.

 

[SKiTLz]

struth buddy. You keep posting like that and Im gonna have to re take an english course to keep up...

 

[coastertux]

Originally posted by jacuzz1
The single most effective tweak you can do right now is get at least anther 256 meg of ram.

I currently have one stick of DDR266, my motherboard can support DDR400. Should I combine my 256 of DDR266 and 256 of DDR400 or should I get 512 of DDR400 and remove my DDR266?