Intel DP67BG Quick start guide

Intel® Desktop Board DP67BG
Performance Tuning Guide
Revision 1.0
December 2010
Order Number: G24387-001

Intel Desktop Board DP67BG Performance Tuning Guide
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WARNING
Altering clock frequency and/or voltage may (i) reduce system stability and useful life
of the system and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to
fail; (iii) cause reductions in system performance; (iv) cause additional heat or other
damage; and (v) affect system data integrity. Intel has not tested and does not
warranty the operation of the processor beyond its specifications.
WARNING
Altering PC memory frequency and/or voltage may (i) reduce system stability and
useful life of the system, memory and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other
system components to fail; (iii) cause reductions in system performance; (iv) cause
additional heat or other damage; and (v) affect system data integrity. Intel assumes
no responsibility that the memory included, if used with altered clock frequencies
and/or voltages, will be fit for any particular purpose. Check with the memory
manufacturer for warranty and additional details.
INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH INTEL®PRODUCTS. NO LICENSE,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY ESTOPPEL OR OTHERWISE, TO ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IS
GRANTED BY THIS DOCUMENT. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN INTEL’S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR
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IMPLIED WARRANTY, RELATING TO SALE AND/OR USE OF INTEL PRODUCTS INCLUDING LIABILITY OR
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OF ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT. Intel products are not intended
for use in medical, life saving, or life sustaining applications.
Intel may make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time, without notice.
Designers must not rely on the absence or characteristics of any features or instructions marked "reserved"
or "undefined." Intel reserves these for future definition and shall have no responsibility whatsoever for
conflicts or incompatibilities arising from future changes to them.
The 2nd generation Intel®Core™ processor and Intel®P67 Express Chipset platform may contain design
defects or errors known as errata which may cause the product to deviate from published specifications.
Current characterized errata are available on request.
Contact your local Intel sales office or your distributor to obtain the latest specifications and before placing
your product order.
Intel, Core, Pentium, and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
Copyright © 2010, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Contents
1Introduction
1.1 Intel®Extreme Tuning Utility ..............................................................5
22nd Generation Intel®Core™ Processor Family and Intel®P67
Express Chipset General Concepts
2.1 Architecture......................................................................................7
3Intel Desktop Board DP67BG Performance Tuning Using
BIOS Setup
3.1 Hardware Considerations for Performance Tuning .................................. 9
3.1.1 Processor..............................................................................9
3.1.2 Memory ................................................................................9
3.1.3 Power Supply......................................................................... 9
3.1.4 System Cooling.................................................................... 10
3.2 Suggestions for Effective Tuning........................................................ 10
3.3 Accessing BIOS Setup...................................................................... 11
3.4 Recovering from an Unstable System ................................................. 11
3.4.1 Hardware Watchdog Timer .................................................... 11
3.4.2 Back to BIOS Button............................................................. 12
3.4.3 BIOS Configuration Jumper.................................................... 13
3.4.4 Remove Power and Reboot .................................................... 13
3.5 Intel Desktop Board DP67BG Performance Tuning Process..................... 14
3.5.1 Configure the BIOS for Performance Tuning ............................. 14
3.5.1.1 CPU Voltage Override Type....................................... 18
3.5.1.2 CPU Voltage Override .............................................. 18
3.5.1.3 CPU VReg Droop Control.......................................... 18
3.5.1.4 TDC Current Limit Override ...................................... 18
3.5.1.5 Intel®Turbo Boost Technology.................................. 19
3.5.1.6 Burst Mode ............................................................ 19
3.5.1.7 Sustained Mode Time .............................................. 19
3.5.1.8 Sustained Mode Power Limit..................................... 19
3.5.2 Set Multipliers (Turbo Ratios)................................................. 19
3.5.3 Check Stability..................................................................... 20
3.5.4 Increase System Clock Frequency........................................... 21
3.5.5 Tune Memory ...................................................................... 22
3.5.5.1 XMP Memory Profiles............................................... 23
3.5.5.2 Memory Performance Options................................... 24
3.5.5.3 Determining Memory Frequency................................ 24
3.5.5.4 Going Beyond XMP Profiles....................................... 25

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3.5.6 Reduce Voltage, Current, and Power ....................................... 25
3.5.7 Restore Dynamic Voltage....................................................... 25
3.5.8 Reconfigure the BIOS to Re-enable Interfaces .......................... 25
3.5.9 Archive Performance Settings ................................................ 26
4Performance Tuning Examples
4.1 4.5 GHz Processor Speed Using Turbo Ratios....................................... 27
4.2 4.72 GHz Processor Speed Using Turbo Ratios and
System Clock Changes..................................................................... 27
AParameter Descriptions for BIOS Performance Settings
BParameter Descriptions for Memory Performance Settings
Figures
2.1. Intel Desktop Board DP67BG Simplified Block Diagram .......................... 7
3.1. Screen Displayed When the Watchdog Timer Detects an Issue.............. 12
3.2. Screen Displayed When System is Started With the Back to BIOS
Button Depressed........................................................................... 13
3.3. System Setup................................................................................ 15
3.4. Power Settings............................................................................... 16
3.5. Performance Tuning Disclaimer ........................................................ 17
3.6. Processor Overrides Page Showing Defaults ....................................... 18
3.7. Intel Extreme Tuning Utility System Monitoring Screen........................ 21
3.8. BIOS Screen Showing System Clock Frequency Increased to 105 MHz ... 22
3.9. Selection of XMP 1600 Profile Using the BIOS Menu............................. 23
3.10. Memory Configuration Screen .......................................................... 24
3.11. Using the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility for Storing Performance Profiles .. 26
4.1. 4.5 GHz Processor Speed Using Turbo Ratios...................................... 27
4.2. 4.72 GHz Processor Speed Using Turbo Ratios with a 105 MHz System
Clock Setting ................................................................................. 28
4.3. Intel Extreme Tuning Utility Screen Showing CPU Stress Test Running
with 4.72 GHz Processor Speed ........................................................ 28
Tables
3-1. Resulting CPU Frequency Values for Various Multipliers......................... 20
3-2. Resulting Memory Frequency Values for Various Multipliers ................... 25
A-1. BIOS Performance Settings............................................................... 29
B-1. Memory Performance Settings........................................................... 31

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1Introduction
Performance tuning of Intel®Desktop Board DP67BG enables useful gains that can
enhance overall system performance for gaming, video editing, computation,
performance benchmarking, and other uses. Performance tuning can be done using
the board BIOS or the Intel®Extreme Tuning Utility.
The Intel Extreme Tuning Utility was developed for the user wanting performance
benefits while minimizing their time and involvement in the tuning process. A brief
introduction to this utility is provided in Section 1.1. Even those not considering use of
the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility for performance tuning will find the system monitoring
and stress testing features included with this software to be useful.
This remainder of this guide focuses on using the BIOS for performance tuning of Intel
Desktop Board DP67BG. The main performance tuning focus areas include the Intel®
Core™ processors and the memory subsystem. The procedures and examples
included in this guide are for reference only and may not work in all situations and
system configurations.
The board is designed with a number of enhancements to support performance tuning
while protecting the user from overheating or damaging board components. These
enhancements include:
•Fan speed control — the processor and system fan speeds automatically increase
when elevated temperatures are sensed.
•Processor thermal protection — the electrical current applied to the processor is
automatically reduced when the thermal protection temperature set point is
reached.
•Processor voltage regulator heat sinks — these provide increased cooling capability
to the voltage regulation system components.
•Six-phase processor voltage regulator — component stress is reduced since overall
electrical load is distributed among six phases.
•Processor voltage regulator thermal protection — the voltage regulator current is
automatically reduced when the thermal protection temperature set point is
reached.
1.1 Intel®Extreme Tuning Utility
The Intel Extreme Tuning Utility software allows performance tuning and monitoring of
critical system parameters in a run-time environment on Intel Desktop Boards using
the Intel®X58, Intel®P55, and Intel®P67 Express Chipsets. Additionally, the Intel
Extreme Tuning Utility is a great tool for monitoring most Intel desktop board-based
systems and is available for download at
http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/software/xtu/
Although beyond the scope of this guide, the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility Center is
another valuable resource for performance tuning.

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Intel DP67BG Desktop Board Performance Tuning Guide
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22nd Generation Intel®Core™
Processor Family and Intel®P67
Express Chipset General Concepts
2.1 Architecture
Intel Desktop Board DP67BG consists of the 2nd generation Intel Core processor family
and the Intel P67 Express Chipset (the Platform Controller Hub (Intel P67 PCH)). The
2nd generation Intel Core processor family integrates the system memory controller
and the PCI Express* x16 interface. DDR3 memory is accessed through two
independent memory channels. A system clock that drives all Desktop Board
components is integrated into the Intel P67 PCH. The Intel P67 PCH provides support
for a PCI Express x1 interface, a PCI* bus, SATA, USB, and other system interfaces.
The Intel P67 PCH communicates with the processor via the DMI bus. BIOS
performance tuning controls include processor turbo ratios, the system clock, and
processor and memory voltages. A simplified system block diagram is shown in
Figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1. Intel Desktop Board DP67BG Simplified Block Diagram
X1 PCIe
Intel ® Core™
Series CPU
(BIOS Turbo
Ratio control)
DDR3 X 2
Channels
100 MHz System Clock
(BIOS Controlled)
PCIExpress2.0
USB
X16 PCIe
DMI
P67PCH
BIOS Voltage Control
CPU VR
Channel A DIMM A1
Channel A DIMM A10
Channel B DIMM B1 Channel B DIMM B0
MemoryVR
BIOS Voltage Control
PCIExpress2.0
SATA
X1 PCIe
Intel ® Core™
Series CPU
(BIOS Turbo
Ratio control)
DDR3 X 2
Channels
100 MHz System Clock
(BIOS Controlled)
PCIExpress2.0
USB
X16 PCIe
DMI
P67PCH
BIOS Voltage Control
CPU VR
Channel A DIMM A1
Channel A DIMM A10
Channel B DIMM B1 Channel B DIMM B0
MemoryVR
BIOS Voltage Control
PCIExpress2.0
SATA

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3Intel Desktop Board DP67BG
Performance Tuning Using BIOS
Setup
3.1 Hardware Considerations for Performance
Tuning
3.1.1 Processor
In addition to Intel Desktop Board DP67BG, a processor that allows the desired level of
performance tuning by the user is required. Performance tuning capability with the 2nd
generation Intel Core processor family is dependent on the selected processor. Fully
unlocked processor numbers end in the letter “K” and have maximum performance
tuning potential using the system clock and turbo ratios. All 2nd generation Intel Core
i5 and 2nd generation Core i7 processor numbers that do not end in the letter “K” are
partially unlocked. Partially unlocked processors allow system clock and limited turbo
ratio increases. 2nd generation Intel Core i3 processors do not have turbo mode
capability and, therefore, allow performance tuning using the system clock only.
3.1.2 Memory
Memory modules with XMP profiles have pre-programmed optimized performance
settings created by the manufacturer that can be selected in the BIOS. Using XMP
profiles can simplify memory performance tuning. Capability for memory performance
tuning will likely be limited if low speed, low cost DIMMs are being used.
3.1.3 Power Supply
Performance tuning will increase the demand on the system power supply. Lower
wattage power supplies may have insufficient capacity once the load imposed by the
board, graphics card(s), the processor cooler, other system fans, hard drives, CD/DVD
drives, and other accessories are combined. Inadequate power supply capacity will
result in system shutdowns and stability problems when performance tuning is
attempted or later when a performance tuned system is being operated.
For Intel Desktop Board DP67BG, the power supply should have at least 150 watts of
unused capacity to accommodate the typical needs of performance tuned processor
and memory. For more extreme performance, additional capacity beyond the extra
150 watts will be needed. Additional power supply capacity will also be needed if a
performance tuned graphics card or pair of graphics cards will be included in the
system. Consult the graphics card manufacturer’s specifications to determine these
additional capacity requirements.

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3.1.4 System Cooling
Performance tuning results in additional system heat generation. Increased cooling
capability may be required to allow performance tuning and operation of a
performance tuned system while maintaining stable operation. Considerations for
increasing cooling capability may include, but are not limited to, chassis type, selection
of air or liquid cooling, processor cooler design, memory module design, and overall
system airflow. Extreme performance tuning requires system designs with
increasingly sophisticated cooling capabilities. It is beyond the scope of this guide to
provide detailed recommendations for system cooling.
CAUTION
Cooling induced moisture condensation from refrigerant systems, dry ice, liquid nitrogen or other
uncommon cooling methods will result in risk for electrical shorting and subsequent damage to the
board and/or the system.
3.2 Suggestions for Effective Tuning
Optimal results will occur if tuning efforts are directed appropriately. For example, if
performance improvements with a certain gaming application are desired, then tuning
efforts should be directed at the system resources used by the game. If the game
software has intensive processor computational work, but relatively light demands on
system memory, then focusing performance tuning efforts on memory will not yield
significant improvements.
System resource (processor, memory, etc.) utilization can be determined by running
your software application while monitoring resource usage. Resource usage can be
monitored with the Intel®Extreme Tuning Utility. Also, your software supplier should
be able to provide information about system resource utilization with their application.
Video graphics performance increases may be needed to improve the overall
performance of gaming software. The supplier of the graphics card should be
contacted for information about performance tuning their hardware. External graphics
tuning is specific to the graphics card manufacturer and cannot be done using either
the Intel Desktop Board DP67BG BIOS or the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility.
Earlier performance tuning methods where the frequency of the system clock was
increased are now not the most effective means of boosting performance with the
processors in the 2nd generation Intel Core processor family that support turbo mode.
Turbo mode provides “on demand” performance when needed while allowing the
processor to run at a lower frequency with reduced heat generation and improved
efficiency when demand is low. With Intel Desktop Board DP67BG, Intel suggests
beginning tuning efforts by optimizing turbo mode performance and then utilizing the
system clock for secondary adjustments.
Keeping a written log of performance tuning settings and the results will be extremely
helpful. Your tuning efforts will be much more efficient if you can refer to the log for
settings that you have already tried. If you need to restore BIOS parameters to
something that worked previously, then information recorded in the log will be helpful.