The BIOS is one of the most important components of your computer’s system since it This allows the processes necessary to boot the operating system to be executed correctly. Despite its importance, many ignore that it must be properly maintained and configured in such a way that the initial functions of Windows or any other OS are considerably improved.
Configuring this component tends to confuse 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 up the BIOS becomes a real child’s play in school.
In this article we’ll teach you everything you need to know about BIOS setup so you get the best boot possible. 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 below.
How can we access the BIOS to be able to configure it correctly?
It is highly recommended that you learn how access 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 other computers use the F2, Delete keys and many others. To know for sure, we suggest you consult the guide or instructions for your computer, there you can find how to enter the BIOS.
Although today, many of the computers at startup show 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 your computer’s BIOS and options to consider
In order to configure the BIOS to your liking, it is necessary for you to know each of the functions, which is why we bring you a basic guide to most of its functions. you have to know that it all depends on the manufacturers and how they organize their choices.
Each manufacturer organizes the settings differently. Although the organization that a company uses is usually almost the same, regardless of the platform. We leave you below, where these options are found, for four of the most famous manufacturers in their BIOS organization.
ASUS
- To the Tweaker: CPU and memory options.
- Advanced: Chipset, storage and power options.
- Display: System health and fan speed options.
- Boot: Boot options and security.
ASRock
- OC Tweaker: CPU and memory options.
- Advanced: Chipset, storage and power options.
- Monitor H/W: System health and fan speed options.
- Safety: Security options.
- Boot: Boot options.
gigabytes
- MIT: CPU, memory, system status and fan speed options.
- BIOS Features: Boot options and security.
- Peripherals: Chipset and storage options.
- Power management: Feeding options.
M: YES
- CO: 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 for you to 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, which are the ones that have the most incidence when starting the computer. The most important ones 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 of this even if you don’t have a processor that was marketed precisely for this function, as happens in processors Intel K#.
CPU Ratio: with this you can change the frequency multiplier of the processor, this only affects the cores themselves, but not the other parts of it, like the memory controller or the integrated GPU. Changing the values on the Overlock is easy, although it is only supported on 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 (eg FX-8350, FX-6300)
- AMD K-suffix APUs (eg, A10-7850K, A8-6600K)
Spread Spectrum: This is used to propagate electromagnetic interference (EMI) leaving the processor over a wide range of frequencies. It does not reduce the amount of EMI, but it does it can help to focus everything on the frequency of most interest.
CPU voltage: if you are overclocking it is very useful, because higher clock speeds require voltages Taller. 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: East 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 issues.
Intel SpeedStep / AMD Cool’N’Quiet: the two options adjust the processor clock frequency to lower frequencies. If you want your processor to run at full speed, disable it.
C-State Options: these are the processor power levels. It would be nice if it stays off when extreme overclocking is attempted to prevent the processor from switching power states.
x86 Virtualization: this helps smooth running on a near-native level. On Intel equipment it can have the name of VT-xwhereas on AMD computers, it can be found as V-AMDand on old computers they are called Vanderpool.
memory options
The memory options directly affect short-term storage (RAM), which is essential for a proper functioning of the computer after booting.
memory frequency: This sets the frequency of memory operation. Although you can’t choose an arbitrary frequency unlike the BCLK.
timing values: Allows you to directly adjust the RAM timing values. This is a short list of the most important values:
- 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, though the values should be handled very carefully because if you increase it, even by a small amount, you can completely fry your RAM and may show physical damage.
storage options
These are the options that directly affect the long-term storage of files. The most important to configure are the following:
SATA Mode: This protocol allows three modes:
- SDI: It is a compatibility feature with previous versions. It is very necessary only if the operating system does not support 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 motherboard onboard RAID, if not, it acts as AHCI.
You must be very careful what value it has, because if it does not have an adequate value, you can harm the operation of your PC.
Hard Disk SMART: With this, you can enable SMART features on the computer drives that support it.
Chipset / Peripheral Options
These options are more related to the operation of the equipment at a graphic level. The most important aspects to configure are the following:
Graphics Adapt and Integrated GPU (IGPU) settings: is an option used to change primary graphics adapterwhich 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 and internet adapter. 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 environments that do not support USB use USB devices, such as older operating systems and utilities that can be launched at boot. But it is different if you have compatibility problems.
Intel and AMD specific features: cWith these functions you can resume from 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 SmartConnect
- AMD Dual Graphics
Power Options (ACPI)
As its name indicates, these are the options that are related to the energy consumption of the equipment. They may seem secondary but they 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/Sleep/Suspend mode of the RAM.
- S4: Hibernate. RAM stores on HDD/SSD, after system power off completely.
- ErP S5: This allows the PC to consume as little power as possible but not complete.
State after Power Loss: When the computer loses power, the computer does the following:
- Last State: If the PC is off, it will remain off, but if it was on, it will turn on again.
- Always off (default): The computer will be turned off.
Among so many functions that the BIOS has, you may also come across System Health/Monitoring settings, which has some functions that have to be treated very carefully or you can damage the PC for life. These functions are named:
- Fan Speed Settings.
- Temperature Alarm Settings.
- Case Open Feature/Reset.
The same happens with the functions that configure the Boot and security of your PC, whose names are:
- 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 in society when they find out about the existence of the BIOS, and the answer is yessince the whole system works together improving the recognition and settings of the hardware that are installed on the computer’s motherboard.
Doing this is highly recommended as time goes by, from the time the board or equipment was purchased. For example, when you do it, new instructions and compatibility are added. for hardware that didn’t exist at the time you bought it since you probably want to install as an SSD drive, a more powerful processor or some certain modules of the…
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