cPlay 2.x (24/192 @ 145db SNR) allows for lower CPU speed. These settings are specific to cPlay 2.0b16 and onwards, for settings related to prior releases, review previous edited post. Setup (explanation for the change is given in italics):
Hardware & BIOS
- Use high quality RAM. Size:
- Source is largely 44.1k, use 256MB
operating power consumption drops by ~1.15W and performs much better at faster RAM timings - Source is often more than 44.1k, use 512MB
operating power consumption drops by ~0.5W
Best results are gained using a single RAM module. - Source is largely 44.1k, use 256MB
- Update Gigabyte BIOS to F6x (Download found under "Additional files"). Refer to Gigabyte manual on how 2.
GA-G31M-S2L BIOS Setup
Each point below refers to BIOS menu item. Before applying BIOS changes, perform "Load Fail-Safe Defaults" followed by "Load Optimized Defaults".
In BIOS main menu, press [Ctrl]+F1 keys to access advanced BIOS settings. Items in red are high risk and requires a low temperature CPU setup.
- Standard CMOS Features
Disable Drive A (floppy disk drive) - Advanced BIOS Features
Disable:- HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability
- No-Execute Memory Protect
- CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)
- CPU EIST Function (Allows for lower CPU VIDs)
- CPU Thermal Monitor (TM2)
Set Init Display First to Onboard
Set Onboard VGA to Always Enable - HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability
- Integrated Peripherals
Set On-Chip SATA Mode to Non-Combined
Disable Azalia codec, Onboard LAN Boot ROM, Serial & Parallel ports
Disable Onboard H/W LAN, SMART LAN (if not using networking functionality)
Disable USB 2.0 Controller (if NOT using USB soundcard)
Disable USB Keyboard and Mouse support (not used by Windows)
Disable Legacy USB storage detect (better to replace such devices) - Power Management Setup
Set ACPI Suspend Type to S1
Disable PME Event Wake-Up, Power On by Ring, Resume by Alarm, HPET Support - PnP/PCS Configuration
Set PCI Latency Timer (CLK) to 128 (maximum benefit is gained when ASIO latency is below 64 samples) - PC Health Status
Disable CPU Smart FAN Control (if no Fan is used)
Disable CPU Warning Temperature
Disbale Thermal Throttle TEMP - MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)
Set CPU Clock Ratio to 6 (applies to all output rates)
Set fine control to 0.0 (applies to all output rates)
Disable Spread Spectrum
Enable CPU Host Clock ControlSet CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) to 150 (best done with VID at 0.85000V or lower. if system boot is unstable increase to 160)
this gives lower FSB of 600Mhz (BIOS should reflect max cpu frequency of 900MHz). previous setting was 1.02GHz. at new 900MHz only cPlay 2.0b16+ can be used for 24/192k/145dbSNR. lower ratio locks CPU to 900MHz (see power settings in windows below). cpu load for core 0 will be ~89% for 192k output. power consumption is reduced.
Set System Memory Multiplier (SPD) to 2.0 - this sets RAM speed to 300
Set DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) to AutoCPU-Z must reflect memory settings: 3-3-3-? @ 150MHz. last setting is RAM specific (kingston hyperx gives 7). reduced RAM reads & writes in cPlay 2.x lowers runtime power consumption. best results achieved when FSB:DRAM ratio is 1:1. although "Auto" setting yields excellent results, manual RAM timings (see previous edits for how 2) may offer improvements, e.g. using 3-3-3-5 with Kingston's 256MB Value RAM module
Set FSB DeOverVoltage Control to -0.15V
Set CPU Voltage Control to lowest possible CPU VIDlowest setting is 0.85000 when EIST is enabled but depends largely on individual CPU manufacture (as a higher VID may be needed). see cMP² Update post for more details. make sure that EIST is disabled (see "Advanced BIOS Features" above). VID lower than 0.85000 can be achieved, e.g. 0.74375 which works in my reference setup. drop VID gradually until lowest cold start VID is achieved. although VID 0.72500 could work, cold-starts would require a CMOS reset indicating instability. power consumption with VID of 0.75000 or lower is less than 20W!
Set CPU GTLREF Voltage Ratio to 0.636 (or 0.566) (both very good)
Perform Save & Exit.
Power Settings in Windows XP SP2 Professional
- goto Control Panel > Power Options, set Power Scheme to "Always On". Reboot.
System Devices
Additonal System Devices can be disabled. Goto Device Manager > Show Hidden Devices > System Devices and disable:
- Microsoft System Management BIOS Driver
- System Board
For all USB devices connected: goto Device Manager > select Device (e.g. Mouse or Keyboard) > right-click > select Properties > select Power Management Tab > Uncheck "Allow this device to bring the computer out of standby."
Allow for at least 48 hours of burn-in (this applies to existing setups as well).
