SPEC CPU2006 Platform Settings for Intel-Phi-based systems

Firmware / BIOS / Microcode Settings

Intel(R) Hyper-Threading Tech:

Intel(R) Hyper-Threading Technology allows multithreaded software applications to execute threads in parallel within each processor. Can be [Enabled] or [Disabled].

Execute Disable Bit:

Can help prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow attacks. Can be [Enabled] or [Disabled].

MCDRAM Throttling Mode:

Configure Mutli-Channel Dynamic Random Access Memory (MCDRAM) Thermal Throttling Mode. Can be [Closed Loop Thermal Throttling (CLTT)] or [Open Loop Thermal Throttling (OLTT)].

CPU and Power Performance Policy:

Allows the user to set an overall power and performance policy for the system, and when changed will modify a selected list of options to achieve the policy. These options are still changeable outside of the policy but do reflect the changes that the policy makes when a new policy is selected. [Performance] Optimization is strongly toward performance, even at the expense of energy efficiency [Balanced Performance] Weights optimization towards performance, while conserving energy [Balanced Power] Weights optimization towards energy conservation, with good performance [Power] Optimization is strongly toward energy efficiency, even at the expense of performance

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Tech:

Allows the system to dynamically adjust processor voltage and core frequency, which can result in decreased average power consumption and decreased average heat production. Can be [Enabled] or [Disabled].

Intel(R) Turbo Boost Technology:

Allows the processor to automatically increase its frequency if it is running below power, temperature and current specifications. Can be [Enabled] or [Disabled].

Energy Efficient Turbo:

When Energy Efficient Turbo is enabled, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) cores only enter the turbo frequency when the Power Control Unit (PCU) detects high utilization.

CPU C-State:

When Central Processing Unit (CPU) C-State is enabled, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) cores enter the sleep state when there is no loading on it. Can be [Enabled] or [Disabled].

C1E Autopromote:

[Enabled] - the Central Processing Unit (CPU) will switch to the minimum Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Technology operating point when all execution cores enter C1. Frequency will switch immediately, followed by gradual Voltage switching. [Disabled] - the Central Processing Unit (CPU) will not transit to the minimum Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Technology operating point when all execution cores enter C1.

Processor C3:

Processor reports C3 state to Operating System (OS). Can be [Enabled] or [Disabled].

Processor C6:

Processor reports C6 state to Operating System (OS). Can be [Enabled] or [Disabled].

Cluster Mode:

Select Cluster mode. [All2All] Memory addresses are uniformly distributed across all Tag Directories (TD) on the chip [SNC-2] Chip is divided into two virtual Hemipheres exposed as Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA)-aware [SNC-4] Chip is divided into four virtual Quadrants exposed as Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA)-aware [Hemisphere] Chip is divided into two virtual Hemipheres, local to two groups of memory controllers [Quadrant] Chip is divided into four virtual Quadrants, local to four groups of memory controllers [Auto] Will try to set Quadrant mode if supported

Memory Mode:

Select Memory mode. [Cache] Mutli-Channel Dynamic Random Access Memory (MCDRAM) is used as Last Level Cache (LLC) [Flat] Mutli-Channel Dynamic Random Access Memory (MCDRAM) is used as addressable memory [Hybrid] Mutli-Channel Dynamic Random Access Memory (MCDRAM) is used as Cache and addressable memory [Auto] Will try to set Cache mode if supported

Patrol Scrub:

When enabled, performs periodic checks on memory cells and proactively walks through populated memory space, to seek and correct soft Error Checking and Correcting (ECC) errors.

Demand Scrub:

When enabled, executes when an Error Checking and Correcting (ECC) error is encountered during a normal read/write of data and corrects that data.

Set Fan Profile:

[Performance] Fan control provides primary system cooling before attempting to throttle memory [Acoustic] The system will favor using throttling of memory over boosting fans to cool the system if thermal thresholds are met

Fan PWM Offset:

Valid Offset 0-100. This number is added to the calculated Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) value to increase Fan Speed.