CPU Core parking/performance concerns

[Mellon Head]

I had to fill out a tiny form and have the Hotfix emailed to me. I'm waiting for it now...

 

[andrew129260]

I had to fill out a tiny form and have the Hotfix emailed to me. I'm waiting for it now...

Let me know what happens. idk why u dont already have it like I did.

 

[carwiz]

Does Windows load ACPI or APM for AMD processors? Either way, the parking value (minimum % of processors) is set by Advanced Power Options. I think the default is 50% even for the Performance Mode. This says when the CPU cores are inactive, Windows will keep 50% of the cores active and park the rest. You could set it to 100% (all cores remain active) but I make sure you also set cooling mode to "Active".

 

[Mellon Head]

Hmmm. I don't see the options that you have there:



@ andrew129260:

I got the file. I haven't installed it yet. Doing a backup first, just in case.

 

[carwiz]

Bummer. Must be an AMD thing. Is there an ACPI/APM setting in the BIOS? I guess that's the reason for the patch.

 

[Mellon Head]

Bummer. Must be an AMD thing. Is there an ACPI/APM setting in the BIOS? I guess that's the reason for the patch.

Yeah, there's an ACPI thing in the BIOS and it's enabled. ACPI also shows up in Device Manager.

I think you're right about it being an AMD thing though. I can't recall ever seeing min/max power states on any AMD I've owned, but my new Intel laptop has it.

Bummer.

 

[Mellon Head]

Well, I finished my backup and ran the hotfix...

and Windows says it "doesn't apply" to my machine. I guess I'm stuck where I am.

 

[andrew129260]

Well, I finished my backup and ran the hotfix...

and Windows says it "doesn't apply" to my machine. I guess I'm stuck where I am.

That should mean that you already have it installed.

 

[Ocman76]

Well, I finished my backup and ran the hotfix...

and Windows says it "doesn't apply" to my machine. I guess I'm stuck where I am.

That should mean that you already have it installed.

I had SP1 before I installed the hotfix (as well as all normal windows updates installed) and it let me install it on my machine...

Weird.

 

[NoN]

Well, I finished my backup and ran the hotfix...

and Windows says it "doesn't apply" to my machine. I guess I'm stuck where I am.

I didn't mentioned this link the first time...because of the hotfix.

But seeing your stuck you could try that one stand-alone ParkControl software from Process Lasso at Bitsum

ParkControl

 

[Indianatone]

I have 2 AMD FX 8 core machines and they both have the option for min processor, max processor and cooling active. Screenshot:

 

[Indianatone]

And the other one: I have the options in the power settings. I have sabretooth motherboards with 64 bit windows and all drivers installed. I do have both of the updates installed. There are 2 hotfixes.
Microsoft has released two updates that optimize the performance of AMD Bulldozer CPUs on Windows 7-based or Windows Server 2008 R2-based computers.


KB2645594 (install this first)
The CPU scheduling techniques that are used by Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008R2 are not optimized for the AMD Bulldozer module architecture. Therefore, multithreaded workloads may not be optimally distributed on computers that have one of these processors installed in a lightly-threaded environment. This may result in decreased system performance for some applications. When this update is installed, the scheduler will be aware that your Bulldozer processor contains dual-core modules. In essence, threads 1-4 now get assigned to their own module first.


KB2646060 (should only be installed after KB2645594)
The CPU Power Policies that are used by Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008R2 are not optimized for the dual Core AMDhttp://skimlinks.pgpartner.com/rd.p...MQQKD1wf&nAID=5784816&st=feed&mt=~~~~~~~~y~~~ Bulldozer module architecture. This can result in decreased system performance with multithreaded workloads in lightly-threaded environments. When this update is installed, Bulldozer modules will be less likely to achieve the C6 power state. This potentially results in increased power consumption in more lightly-threaded environments.

 

[N00berG00ber]

alright, ive been following this thread for a while. here is my setup. i used this app:

CPU Core Parking

Basically i created 2 power profiles. "Balanced" and "High Performance" in HP mode i made it so that there are always 0 cores parked. In balanced, i made it so that 100% of the core are capable of being parked (only 4 get parked). Then i just switch between the profiles. Without core parking, there is a decent improvement on performance because ALL cores are active and are capable of being used as compared to the cores only un-parking when the other cores are close to 100% usage. Core parking saves power and reduced heat. in my balanced profile, i only allow my CPU to scale to 70% (2.4GHz). In HP, i allow it to scale to 100% (4.4GHz). Both have a minimum value of 0% (allows it to scale to 1.6GHz) and both have "Active" cooling policy.


Ive tried all those hot fixes listed by Microsoft, and they did NOTHING! So thats when i dug a little deeper and found that app. all you have to do install set it up the way you want, restart, and uninstall. its a one time thing.

 

[Mellon Head]

I have 2 AMD FX 8 core machines and they both have the option for min processor, max processor and cooling active. Screenshot:

Well, now I'm absolutely mystified. I'm going to have to dig into this deeper...

 

[andrew129260]

I have 2 AMD FX 8 core machines and they both have the option for min processor, max processor and cooling active. Screenshot:

Well, now I'm absolutely mystified. I'm going to have to dig into this deeper...

I don't have that option, and I have every driver, chipset, bios up to date.

 

[Solarstarshines]

I have 2 AMD FX 8 core machines and they both have the option for min processor, max processor and cooling active. Screenshot:

Well, now I'm absolutely mystified. I'm going to have to dig into this deeper...

I don't have that option, and I have every driver, chipset, bios up to date.

He is talking about AMD Overdrive

 

[andrew129260]

Looks like power options to me, not overdrive....

 

[Mellon Head]

I don't have that option, and I have every driver, chipset, bios up to date.

Same here. Everything is up to date.

 

[Indianatone]

No I don't have AMD overdrive at all. Also have a paid for version of Processor Lasso on both machines too. Using the High Performance settings. I do have 7 Ultimate but don't think its that? The 8320 is overclocked in the bios with the "turbo boost" disabled. No expert here just got the motherboard to clock it without raising voltages. I also have the option to "Change plan options that are not available other than by Admin" available?

 

[Callender]

Process Lasso

I have those options and use Process Lasso with Park Control Built in. I've found that disabling core parking does improve performance but temperatures are higher as a result.





Also see the tutorial here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/778-power-plan-settings-change.html

I'm not sure about this but if you can't see the settings try the option in the following screenshot: