Intel DZ77GA-70K Quick start guide

Intel® Desktop Boards DZ77GA-70K,
DZ77RE-75K
Performance Tuning Guide
Revision 1.0

Intel DZ77GA-70K / DZ77RE-75K Desktop Board Performance Tuning Guide
2
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.
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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 3rd generation Intel®Core™ processor and Intel®Z77 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 © 2012, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Contents
1Introduction........................................................................ 5
1.1 Intel®Extreme Tuning Utility .............................................................. 5
23rd Generation Intel®Core™ Processor Family and Intel®Z77
Express Chipset General Concepts ....................................... 7
2.1 Architecture...................................................................................... 7
3Intel Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K Performance Tuning Using
BIOS Setup.........................................................................10
3.1 Hardware Considerations for Performance Tuning ................................ 10
3.1.1 Processor............................................................................ 10
3.1.2 Memory .............................................................................. 10
3.1.3 Power Supply....................................................................... 10
3.1.4 System Cooling.................................................................... 11
3.2 Suggestions for Effective Tuning........................................................ 11
3.3 Accessing BIOS Setup...................................................................... 12
3.4 Recovering from an Unstable System ................................................. 13
3.4.1 Hardware Watchdog Timer .................................................... 13
3.4.2 Back to BIOS Button............................................................. 14
3.4.3 BIOS Configuration Jumper.................................................... 15
3.4.4 Remove Power and Reboot .................................................... 15
3.5 Intel Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K Tuning using Over-Clocking Assistant™16
3.6 Intel Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K Performance Manual Tuning Process ... 17
3.6.1 Configure the BIOS for Performance Tuning ............................. 18
3.6.1.1 CPU Voltage Override Type....................................... 20
3.6.1.2 CPU Voltage Override .............................................. 20
3.6.1.3 CPU VReg Droop Control.......................................... 20
3.6.1.4 TDC Current Limit Override ...................................... 20
3.6.1.5 Intel®Turbo Boost Technology.................................. 20
3.6.1.6 Burst Mode Power Limit ........................................... 20
3.6.1.7 Sustained Mode Time .............................................. 20
3.6.1.8 Sustained Mode Power Limit..................................... 21
3.6.2 Set Multipliers (Turbo Ratios)................................................. 21
3.6.3 Check Stability..................................................................... 22
3.6.4 Increase System Clock Frequency........................................... 23
3.6.5 Performance Tuning Memory.................................................. 25
3.6.5.1 XMP Memory Profiles............................................... 25
3.6.5.2 Memory Performance Options................................... 25
3.6.5.3 Determining Memory Frequency................................ 26
3.6.5.4 Going Beyond XMP Profiles....................................... 27
3.6.6 Reduce Voltage, Current, and Power ....................................... 27
3.6.7 Restore Dynamic Voltage....................................................... 27

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3.6.8 Reconfigure the BIOS to Re-enable Interfaces .......................... 27
3.6.9 Archive Performance Settings ................................................ 27
4Performance Tuning Examples............................................29
4.1 4.5 GHz Processor Speed Using Turbo Ratios....................................... 29
4.2 4.72 GHz Processor Speed Using Turbo Ratios and System Clock Changes30
AParameter Descriptions for BIOS Performance Settings......32
BParameter Descriptions for Memory Performance Settings .34
Figures
Figure 2.1. Intel Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K Simplified Block Diagram .......... 8
Figure 3.1. Screen Displayed When the Watchdog Timer Detects an Issue..... 14
Figure 3.2. Screen Displayed When System is Started With the Back to BIOS
Button Depressed............................................................................ 15
Figure 3.3. System Setup....................................................................... 18
Figure 3.6. Processor Overrides Page Showing Defaults .............................. 19
Figure 3.7. Intel Extreme Tuning Utility System Monitoring Screen............... 23
Figure 3.8. BIOS Screen Showing System Clock Frequency Increased to 105
MHz............................................................................................... 24
Figure 3.9. Selection of XMP 1600 Profile Using the BIOS Menu ................... 25
Figure 3.10. Memory Configuration Screen................................................ 26
Figure 3.11. Using the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility for Storing Performance
Profiles .......................................................................................... 28
Figure 4.1. 4.5 GHz Processor Speed Using Turbo Ratios............................. 29
Figure 4.2. 4.72 GHz Processor Speed Using Turbo Ratios with a 105 MHz
System Clock Setting....................................................................... 30
Figure 4.3. Intel Extreme Tuning Utility Screen Showing CPU Stress Test
Running with 4.72 GHz Processor Speed............................................. 31
Tables
Table 3-1. Resulting CPU Frequency Values for Various Multipliers................ 22
Table 3-2. Resulting Memory Frequency Values for Various Multipliers .......... 27
Table A-1. BIOS Performance Settings ..................................................... 32
Table B-1. Memory Performance Settings ................................................. 34

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1Introduction
Performance tuning of Intel®Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K 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 DZ77GA-70K. 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®Z77 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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23rd Generation Intel®Core™
Processor Family and Intel®Z77
Express Chipset General Concepts
2.1 Architecture
Intel Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K consists of the 3rd generation Intel Core processor
family and the Intel Z77 Express Chipset (the Platform Controller Hub (Intel Z77
PCH)). The 3rd 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 Z77 PCH. The Intel Z77 PCH provides support
for a PCI Express x1 interface, a PCI* bus, SATA, USB, and other system interfaces.
The Intel Z77 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.
-CoreFrequency 
-Unlockedturbolimits(100MHzincrements)
-Programmablevoltageoffsettoimprovecore
frequencylimits
-GraphicsFrequency
-Unlockedgraphicsturbolimits(50Mhzincrements)
-Unlockedgraphicspowerlimitratios
-MemoryRatio
-Unlockedmemorycontroller(XMPprofiles,individual
timingparameters)
-Unlockedmemorycontrollervoltagelevels
-Granularityoptionsfor200and266MHz
-DMICLK(akaBCLK)
-UnlockedPCHclockcontroller(1MHzincrements)
-UnlockedCPUPLLvoltagelevels
• PEGandDMIRatios 
-Fixedratios

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Figure 2.1. Intel Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K Simplified Block Diagram

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3Intel Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K
Performance Tuning Using BIOS
Setup
3.1 Hardware Considerations for Performance
Tuning
3.1.1 Processor
In addition to Intel Desktop Board DZ77GA-70K, a processor that allows the desired
level of performance tuning by the user is required. Performance tuning capability
with the 3rd 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 3rd
generation Intel Core i5 and 3rd 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. 3rd 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 DZ77GA-70K, 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.