The BIOS is one of the most important components of your computer system since it allows the necessary processes to boot the operating system to run correctly . Despite its importance, many ignore that it should be properly maintained and configured so that the initial functions of Windows or any other OS are greatly improved.
Configuring this component is often confusing to many since it does not have such an intuitive interface . In this case you will have to make use of your analysis and in some way have specific knowledge that allows you to understand everything you will see once you are inside it, so that you do not make mistakes that can make things worse instead of fixing them. However, once you know about it, setting the BIOS becomes a real school children game.
In this article we will show you everything you need to know about BIOS settings so you have the best possible boot . We will tell you everything so that at the end of the reading you are a true expert in every sense of the word. So take note and learn from the best ones below.
Index:
How can we access the BIOS to configure it correctly?
It is highly recommended that you learn how to access the BIOS before knowing how to configure it, since each manufacturer installs different versions of on their motherboards, therefore how you access it varies .
On most computers it is accessed by pressing the F12 key , just before the system starts, as well as on other computers using the F2 keys, Delete and many others. To know for sure we suggest that you consult the guide or instructions of your computer, there you can find how to enter the BIOS.
Although today, many of the computers at startup start showing which key you should press to access the BIOS. However, even more important is the fact that you know that within this system you will not be able to use the mouse. It will be you and the keyboard against the world .
Steps to configure the BIOS of your computer and options to consider
To be able to configure the BIOS to your liking, you need to know each of the functions, so we bring you a basic guide to most of its functions. You have to know that everything depends on the manufacturers and how they organize their options.
Each manufacturer organizes the settings differently. Although the organization that uses a company is usually almost the same, regardless of the platform. We leave you below, where are these options, for four of the most famous manufacturers in your BIOS organization .
ASUS
- Al Tweaker: CPU and memory options.
- Advanced : Chipset, storage and power options.
- Monitor: System health and fan speed options.
- Boot: Boot and security options.
ASRock
- OC Tweaker: CPU and memory options.
- Advanced: Chipset, storage and power options.
- Monitor H / W: System health and fan speed options.
- Security : Security options.
- Boot: Boot options.
Gigabyte
- MIT : CPU, memory, system status and fan speed options.
- BIOS Features: Boot options and security.
- Peripherals: Chipset and storage options.
- Power Management: Power options.
MSI
- OC: CPU and memory options
- Settings: Chipset, boot and security options
- Hardware Monitor: System health and fan speed options
Now that you know this it is time that you know each of the functions within the BIOS and how they affect the changes you make to them.
CPU options
The first thing is the CPU options that are the ones that have the most impact on computer startup. The most important are:
BCLK / Base Clock : This refers to the main system clock. A universal way to overclock the processor is provided if the motherboard supports changing this option. All this even if you do not have a processor that was marketed precisely for this function, as in the Intel # K processors .
CPU Ratio : With this you can change the processor frequency multiplier, this only affects the cores themselves, but not the other parts of it, such as the memory controller or the integrated GPU . Changing the values in the Overlock is easy, although it is only supported in the following processors.
- Intel K or X suffix processors (for example, i5-2500K, i7-4690K, i7-5960X)
- Intel Pentium Anniversary Edition (Pentium G3258)
- AMD FX / Ryzen series processors (for example, FX-8350, FX-6300)
- AMD K suffix APU (e.g., A10-7850K, A8 -6600K)
Spread Spectrum : This is used to propagate electromagnetic interference (EMI) that comes out of the processor through a wide range of frequencies. It does not reduce the amount of EMI, but if it can help everything to focus on the frequency of interest .
CPU voltage : if you are overclocking it is very useful, because higher clock speeds require voltages more high . But you should keep in mind that this setting has to be used very carefully, because a relatively small change can fry your computer.
Host clock / PCle clock : This is used to adjust the frequency of the PCI Express controller built into the processor. Leave this function aside unless you are altering the BCLK, or have had stability problems.
Intel SpeedStep / AMD Cool’N’Quiet : The two options adjust the processor clock frequency to lower frequencies . If what you want is for your processor to run at full speed, disable it.
C-State Options : These are the processor power levels . It would be nice to keep it off when trying extreme overclocking to prevent the processor from changing power state.
x86 Virtualization: This helps smooth operation on an almost native level . On Intel devices it can be called VT-x , while on AMD devices, it can be found as AMD-V , and on old devices they are called Vanderpool .
Memory options
The memory options directly affect short-term storage (RAM), which are essential for the proper functioning of the computer after startup.
Memory Frequency : This sets the frequency of memory operation. Although you cannot choose an arbitrary frequency unlike BCLK.
Timing values : allows you to directly adjust the RAM timing values. This is a brief list of the most important values:
- CAS Latency (CAS Latency).
- RAS to CAS delay.
- Row Precharge Time.
- RAS Active Time.
DRAM Voltage : It is very useful if you try to overclock your RAM speed beyond its normal specification, although the values must be handled very carefully because if it increases, even a small amount, it can fry the RAM completely and can show physical damage.
Storage options
These are the options that directly affect the storage of long-term files. The most important to configure are the following:
SATA Mode : This protocol allows three modes:
- IDE : It is a compatibility feature with previous versions. It is very necessary only if the operating system is not compatible with SATA.
- AHCI : With this you can enable all the features of SATA. If you use a modern operating system, the drives have to be left active.
- RAID : You can configure the SATA ports for the integrated RAID of the motherboard, otherwise it acts like AHCI.
You must take great care of what value it has, since if it does not have an adequate value you can impair the operation of your PC.
Hard Disk SMART : With this, you can enable SMART features on the drives on the computer that support it.
Chipset / Peripheral Options
These options are more related to the operation of the equipment at the graphic level. The most important aspects to configure are the following:
Graphics Adapt and Integrated GPU (IGPU) settings : is an option used to change the primary graphics adapter , what PCI Express mode you want to use and how much memory should be allocated to the integrated GPU.
Onboard peripherals : these are options that include an integrated audio adapter and internet. You don’t need to disable them when you install other software, unless your operating system conflicts with peripherals.
Legacy USB Support : With this you can make non-USB environments use USB devices, such as older operating systems and utilities that can be run when booting. But it’s different if you have compatibility issues.
Intel and AMD-specific functions: c On these functions you can resume hibernation and allow programs to receive updates over the internet while the computer is idle. The names of these functions are:
- Intel Rapid Start
- Intel Smart Connect
- AMD Dual Graphics
Energy options (ACPI)
As the name implies, these are the options that are related to the energy consumption of the equipment. They may seem secondary but have the ability to limit or enhance the operation of the entire computer.
S-State configuration : These are the system level power states. The most used are:
- S1: With this the CPU stops executing the instructions, while the memory remains on.
- S3: Standby mode / Sleep / Suspend from RAM.
- S4: Hibernate. RAM stores in the HDD / SSD, after the system is completely shut down.
- ErP S5: This allows the PC to consume as little power as possible but does not complete .
State after Power Loss : When the computer loses power, the computer does the following:
- Last State: If the PC is turned off it will remain off, but if it was on it will turn on again.
- Always off (default): The computer will be off.
Among the many functions that the BIOS has, you can also find the System Health / Monitoring settings , which has some functions that have to be treated with great care or can be damaged by PC life. These functions are named:
- Fan Speed Settings.
- Temperature Alarm Settings.
- Case Open Feature / Reset.
The same happens with the functions that configure the Startup and security of your PC, whose name is:
- Fast / Ultra Fast Booting.
- Num Lock on Boot.
- Full Screen Logo.
- Boot / POST beep.
- Boot Order.
- Boot / Setup Password.
- Secure Boot.
Is it necessary to update the BIOS or UEFI for its proper functioning?
This is one of the most common questions of society when they hear about the existence of the BIOS, and the answer is yes , since the whole system works together improving recognition and the hardware settings that are installed on the computer motherboard.
Doing this is highly recommended as time goes by, from the moment the plate or equipment was purchased. For example, when you do this, new instructions and compatibility are added for hardware that did not exist for the time you bought it since you probably want to install it as an SSD drive, a more powerful processor or certain RAM modules .
The BIOS update consists of describing a new block of code that contains the new instructions for the hardware of the computer, in non-volatile memory chip of the motherboard. With this writing of the new code block, it is done from outside the operating system.