UEFI BIOS Tweaks That Will Supercharge Your Computer PerformanceLooking to enhance your computer's performance? This guide will show you the UEFI BIOS tweaks to unlock the full potential of your machine.
Tweaking your UEFI BIOS settings can significantly improve your computers performance. By optimising your system for optimal speed and efficiency, you may improve your computer's overall performance. In this post, we will look at seven UEFI BIOS tweaks that can assist in improving your computer's performance.
What is UEFI BIOS
UEFI BIOS, or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface Basic Input/Output System, is a contemporary firmware interface that replaces older computers' traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). It is in charge of starting the operating system and initialising hardware components. Compared to classic BIOS, UEFI BIOS has various advantages, including faster boot speeds, support for larger hard drives, and a more user-friendly interface.
One of the quickest ways to get the best performance from your hardware is to load the optimised or high-performance defaults from the BIOS settings.
Ensure Drives are Set to AHCI Mode
Unless you run an old OS such as Windows XP, drives should be configured to use AHCI mode as this will boost performance over SATA/IDE modes. You can check if you have AHCI enabled by checking the SATA mode in the BIOS. If it is disabled, it will ONLY be allowed if you are installing Windows (or another) OS as a clean install, as enabling this will result in an unbootable system. If Windows is already installed, you MUST enable the ACHI service BEFORE enabling it in the BIOS.
To enable AHCI Service in Windows, you can use RegEdit. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStorV. Set the value of the Start dword to 0. Now naigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStorAVC\StartOverride. Set the value of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci and StartOverride and set both words as above to 0. If the dwords do not exist, create them by right clicking and selectin new DWORD (32-bit).
Shut down the PC and boot to the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings. Enable AHCI in settings, save and exit. The exact menus and options vary by manufacturer, so check your motherboard manual.
Enable Fast Boot
Enabling Fast Boot is one of the first UEFI BIOS settings you should consider. This feature speeds up your computer's startup by skipping some tests and operations during the booting process. You may save time and increase overall efficiency by shortening the time it takes your computer to boot up. Navigate to your UEFI BIOS settings and seek the option to enable Fast Boot. Keep in mind that setting Fast Boot may deactivate certain features or functions, so if you have any concerns, read the manual or speak with a specialist. Most have a few fast boot settings ranging from Disabled to Ultra Fast, so check your motherboard manual to see which is best.
Adjust Power Settings
Power settings are another UEFI BIOS modification that can turbocharge your PC. You can guarantee that your computer uses energy efficiently and effectively by optimising power settings. This can assist in improving overall performance and lengthening laptop battery life. Look for settings in your UEFI BIOS that allow you to change power settings, such as power management, power saving modes and CPU throttling at specific points on a temperature curve. If you are always connected to AC, there may be a setting to limit charging and preserve battery life. Experiment with different settings to discover the ideal performance and energy conservation mix for your needs.
Enable XMP or EXPO for RAM
Enabling XMP for your RAM is one UEFI BIOS change that can significantly improve your computer's performance. XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) is a function that allows your RAM to run at its maximum supported speed rather than the motherboard's default speed. EXPO is the AMD equivalent of Intel's XMP. EXPO stands for AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking. XMP lets you take full advantage of your RAM, which means faster data transfer rates and an overall system performance boost. Not all RAM modules support this, so ensure your RAM is compatible before flipping on that change.
Disable Unused Hardware
Another UEFI BIOS tweak that enhances your computer's speed is turning off hardware that is not in use. Most motherboards feature and possess numerous features and connectors that are never used, such as onboard video, extra USB ports, audio jacks, or SATA ports. These can be turned off to free up system resources and improve your system's efficiency. The result will be a much faster boot time, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. Take care when turning off hardware you are positive you will not need, as doing so can cause system instability.
Overclock Your CPU
Overclocking your CPU is a widespread UEFI BIOS change that can significantly improve your computer's performance. Boosting the CPU clock speed can make your CPU run quicker and handle more demanding tasks, although overclocking will also generate more heat and put additional strain on your CPU, so monitoring temperatures and guaranteeing sufficient cooling is of paramount importance. Not all CPUs can be overclocked, so check if your CPU supports it before performing this adjustment.
Overclocking is a whole other tutorial. You can find plenty online; search for your processor and overclocking guide. Generally, some tools help scan, such as AMD Ryzen Master and MSI Afterburner.
