Power management settings in the BIOS are turned off for the Asus Z490-E (10900k).
Power management settings in the BIOS are turned off for the Asus Z490-E (10900k).
I possess an Asus Z490-E equipped with a 10900kf and air cooling, paired with a Noctua NH-D15 fan. My aim was to configure the XMP profile rather than adjust overclocks. I wanted the CPU to handle a higher clock speed for extended periods instead of targeting ultra-high frequencies. My plan was to maintain the default settings and only modify PL1, PL2, and tau. I intended to lower PL2 below its default value (255) to around 230, raise tau from 56 seconds to 80, and adjust PL1 from 125 watts to 180 watts. This approach would help me access lower frequency peaks (PL2) while maintaining better sustained performance (PL1). I also hoped the cooler would perform more consistently due to normalized temperatures. I consulted the BIOS manual and identified three parameters needed adjustment: Long Duration Package Power Limit (PL1), Package Power Time Window (tau), and Short Duration Package Power Limit (PL2). These are located under the Ai Tweaker menu, and the motherboard indicates they can be set as Auto or within a range of 1 to 4095. Problem: When I accessed the BIOS, these options were grayed out. I can change tau, but the other two remain locked. I attempted to toggle MultiCore Enhancement to Enabled, Disabled, or Auto, but all three settings stay disabled. The only variation is that when enabled, PL states automatically reach their maximum, yet manual control isn’t available. Perhaps a specific hidden setting is required to unlock this functionality. Anyone know? The manual doesn’t mention this feature.
Have you removed the CMOS? If yes, you should obtain a display showing these prompts. Press F1 to view Intel default CPU configurations (standard power caps) and press F3 to reveal advanced limits for better performance. The circuitry enforces Intel’s power boundaries by default. I haven’t used F1 before, so I’m unsure whether any changes will be lost. With F3 the CPUs operate at 4.9ghz all cores stock, but require AVX support of 1 to maintain temperatures below control thresholds. Running AVX-intensive tasks like Cinebench R20/23 helps keep temps under management. For non-AVX workloads it performs adequately at 4.9ghz. I don’t suggest using MCE on an i9 10900k—it can reach up to 100°C during startup, making it 10°C hotter than my benchmarked 5.3ghz overclock with a 360mm AIO. Using an NH-D15 will forfeit the TVB (thermal velocity boost) feature, which is key for the i9 10900k’s performance. It needs the processor to stay under 70°C to function properly; when it does, it can surpass a 5.1ghz overclock in certain titles.
It seems you've determined how scaling works based on your application. For Prime95 Small FFTs, running with AVX instructions can push the CPU to 180W quickly. To avoid this, the processor needs to slow down more than usual. Adjust the power limits according to what your cooling system supports. I prefer ThrottleStop for Windows—it lets you tweak limits while the CPU is active and provides precise feedback. It handles the CPU multiplier better than most tools and includes a Clamp option in the power limit register that BIOS doesn’t offer. This helps keep consumption within your desired range.
I appreciate the insight. I'm concerned about adjusting settings on the fly, as it could cause issues or instability... My goals are for general use, not benchmarking. Features I need might seem unrealistic since they're mostly Factorio and Minecraft with heavy mods and long saves. I've heard Factorio often suffers from memory latency, while Minecraft runs smoothly in a single thread, which could help with higher performance. That's why I'm focused on maintaining consistent speed. Still, even in single-threaded Minecraft, power consumption should remain moderate to keep temperatures low enough for better frequency. If the default power setting is 125 watts, increasing it to 180 watts isn't a small jump. I just need some adjustable values that can be saved and retained over time.