SPEC CPU2006 Platform Settings for Intel-based systems

Firmware / BIOS / Microcode Settings

Hardware Prefetch:

This BIOS option allows the enabling/disabling of a processor mechanism to prefetch data into the cache according to a pattern-recognition algorithm In some cases, setting this option to Disabled may improve performance. Users should only disable this option after performing application benchmarking to verify improved performance in their environment.

Hyper-Threading:

This BIOS option allows the enabling/disabling of Intel's Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology. HT Technology allows multithreaded software applications execute two threads in parallel within each processor core.

Performance Profile:

This BIOS switch allows 3 options: "Custom", "Max Performance", and "Energy Efficiency". "Max Performance" sets all CPU power efficiency automatically to get the Max Performance, CPU power management configuration can't be set manually. "Energy Efficiency" sets the CPU power efficiency automatically, CPU power management configurations can't be set manually. "Custom" allows the enabling/disabling of CPU EIST, Turbo Mode, C1E Support, CPU C3 and C6, CPU Performance and Energy Bias, this option also allows set Thermal Profile to "Max Performance", "Energy Efficiency" or "High Fan Speed", and set Memory Power Savings to "Auto" or "Disabled". The default is "Custom", this option disabled C3 and enabled EIST, Turbo Mode, C1E and C6 support by default, Package C State Limited to "No Limit" by default.

Turbo Mode:

Intel Turbo Boost Technology allows processor cores to run faster than the rated operating frequency if they're operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits. Disabling this feature will reduce power usage but will reduce the system's maximum achievable performance under some workloads.

Cluster on Die:

Cluster on Die (COD) mode logically splits a socket into 2 NUMA domains that are exposed to the OS with half the amount of cores and LLC assigned to each NUMA domain in a socket. This mode utilizes an on-die directory cache and in memory directory bits to determine whether a snoop needs to be sent. Use this mode for highly NUMA optimized workloads to get the lowest local memory latency and highest local memory bandwidth for NUMA workloads.

Early Snoop:

Early Snoop mode for workloads that are memory latency sensitive or for workloads that benefit from fast cache-to-cache transfer latencies from the remote socket. Snoops are sent out earlier, which is why memory latency is lower in this mode.

C1E Support:

Enhanced C1 Power State boosts system performance.

Core C3:

Allows the BIOS to report the CPU C3 State (ACPI C2) to the operating system. During the CPU C3 State, the CPU clock generator is turned off.

Core C6:

Allows the BIOS to report the CPU C6 State (ACPI C3) to the operating system. During the CPU C6 State, the power to all cache is turned off.

Thermal Profile:

The Baseboard Management Controller allows the user to adjust the fan speed manually. If the server is in a stressful environment, the CPU have high temperature, you can adjust the fan speed to Max Performance.

Memory Power Saving:

Selects the memory power saving mode. Depends on the selected mode, the Power Down clock mode, CKE and IBT are intialized accordingly, disable this feathe will keep memory in high performance mode.