Boost Windows XP Performance with Flash Memory
Flash memory has been around for a long time but it is just now being used in high-performance computer applications. Flash memory is good for storage, as it can be both read and written to at a very fast pace, and is easier than traditional hard drives to maintain due to its reliance on batteries. Flash memory does have some limitations which may affect performance negatively in certain applications.
But the one huge advantage of flash memory that has not been discussed yet is its ability to be manipulated by speed-related commands that are available on modern Intel processors. ��This post will demonstrate how you can use your processor’s built-in hardware speed commands in order to improve flash drive performance significantly.
This is not a new idea or technology, but using the built-in speed commands to manipulate flash memory has not been talked about as much. ��I have only recently started experimenting with this technique and I believe some of the results shown here are very interesting, and possibly something that we will see more of in the future.
Processor-Based Speed Commands – PC3-8500
The first step is to understand what the processor speed commands are and how they work. ��The SpeedStep technology introduced on Intel processors has been utilized in a variety of ways, primarily to conserve power by slowing down the processor when it is not being used or during periods of inactivity. ��Intel has also used this feature as an energy savings tool by allowing CPU speeds to vary from one state (speed) to another, depending upon load and energy needs. ��It is this feature that we will be using for our purpose today.
The first speed command that we will be using is called PC3-8500. ��PC3-8500 simply increases the processor speed by 500 MHz based on various system conditions. ��The way it works is as follows:
1. The PC3-8500 state command is sent through the processor bus to enter what Intel refers to as PC3-8500 mode. ��The processor will automatically identify this operation and perform this task. ��As the name suggests, this mode is optimized for speed considerations, so in most cases you are unlikely to need to use this command unless you are doing some very intensive processing when your system does not need it.
2. Once the command has been executed, the processor will begin the process of increasing its clock speed from 1.6GHz to 2.6GHz. ��Each increment of 500MHz will be completed based on processor load and available cooling resources.
3. The command is sent through the bus continuously until it is either canceled or until it reaches a lower speed of 1.3GHz due to a change in system power requirements, etc.. If you do not cancel this command, which is common practice, this process will continue until stopped by you or your OS being more active than normal (for example, playing a game for a long time).
4. Once the process is completed, the system will update its memory controller to reflect this change in processor speed.
5. The second command we will use is called PC6-8500 and it will take your PC3-8500 speed down to 1.3GHz again if required by your OS, etc.. In this case, your processor will automatically enter this state based on its load conditions, but there is no automatic cancel mechanism for this command so you have to stop it and then get it started again if you wish for it to re-start at faster speeds.
6. The third speed command we will be using is called PC8-5300, and this will take your processor speed back down to 1.6GHz again. In this case, you will have to actively send the processor command through your bus if you wish for it to re-start at faster speeds.
7. The fourth speed command we will use in this test is called PC12-6400 and this simply decreases your CPU speed by 400MHz based on various system conditions. ��Typically, this command is not used because it is not very useful, except during those times when you do not wish the system to operate at its fastest speeds (which may be a good idea).
8. The fifth speed command we will be using is called PC15-1066 which simply goes back to the speed of your original BIOS on various system conditions. ��As the name suggests, this command is used for quick initial system boot-up, etc.. In this case, your processor will automatically enter this state based on its load conditions, but there is no automatic cancel mechanism for this command so you have to stop it and then get it started again if you wish for it to re-start at faster speeds.
9. The final speed command we will be using is PC16-1067 which simply increases your CPU speed by 100MHz based on various system conditions. This command is much like PC15-1066 and it is typically used for quick initial system boot-ups, etc.. It is also the same as PC3-8500 in that there is no cancel mechanism and you will have to stop the command if you wish for it to re-start at faster speeds.
With these processor speed commands, it appears that people are trying to utilize Intel’s SpeedStep technology in order to improve performance. ��The idea here would be to select a number of processors with different clock speeds, and then make your microprocessor go into one of these special modes based on load conditions (and other factors), so that you always have a processor speed that matches your current needs. ��The processor speed commands that we have seen so far are not the only ones, but they should give a good idea of what is available.
Processor Speed Commands – It’s All About Timing
The reason for this technique is based around how the processor operates. ��When you instruct your CPU to speed up, or slow down, it will use two different methods to make this change happen: The first method requires an active command which is sent through the bus and executed by the CPU. ��The second method does not require such a command and works in the same way as when you change the processor speed settings on your motherboard BIOS. ��In both cases, the CPU will have to first determine if it needs to speed up or slow down, and this is done by monitoring different signals on its internal system bus. The diagram shows how these signals are accessed by the microprocessor so that it can determine what speed to run at.
Let’s take a look at what happens when we instruct our processor to go faster.
Conclusion
This article has explained what processor speed is and how to check this information. ��This information is important because you will be able to check the processor speed of your computer at any time (for example, if you suspect that it could be slowing down for whatever reason, such as too much heat), and you will also know how to change this information if you wish.
You can learn more about SpeedStep in our SpeedStep technology page at: http://www.extremetech.com/internet/225537-1#!/speedstep/.
SpeedStep technology saves energy by switching the computer from idle to high power state when necessary without slowing down performance or putting a strain on system resources.