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    Windows Vista- "Advanced Power Settings"

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by allfiredup, Sep 26, 2008.

  1. allfiredup

    allfiredup Notebook Virtuoso

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    In Windows Vista, there are three Power "Plans" (or profiles)- Balanced, Power Saver and High Performance. I always choose the High Performance Plan and tweak the Advanced Settings to my needs/preferences.

    The only setting whose impact I don't fully understand is the Processor Power Management, Minimum Processor State. For instance, when I got my new notebook a few days ago, the 'Minimum Processor State' was set to 5% if running on battery and 100% if plugged in. The 'Maximum Processor State' was set to 100% for both power sources.

    The result of those pre-set paramaters is- on battery, the processor state will be between 5% and 100% and, if plugged in, the processor state will be between 100% and 100%! In other words, the processor will remain at 100% constantly according to this setting.

    Here are my questions- what is the impact of having the minimum and maximum processor state set at 100%? What would be the benefit, if any, of changing the Minimum Processor State to a lower number, for instance 10% when plugged in?

    Also, why is a figure (in this case 5%, when on battery) used for the Minimum rather than using 0 or 1%?

    Sorry if I am over-thinking this, but I want to understand what effect these settings have on my system....or if they're basically irrelevant and I should forget about them unless I'm trying to maximize battery life.

    Thanks!
     
    allfiredup, Sep 26, 2008
    #1
  2. shoelace_510

    shoelace_510 8700M GT inside... ^-^;

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    If you are really concerned about what % of your CPU power you are using I would simply use the CPU gadget for Vista's sidebar. :)

    And no, it will NOT be using the CPU 100% all of the time, despite how confusing their wording is... ;)

    Hope this helps! :D
     
    shoelace_510, Sep 26, 2008
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  3. Everway9

    Everway9 Notebook Consultant

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    Hey allfiredup!! Have you read this download.microsoft.com/download/0/0/b/00bba048-35e6-4e5b-a3dc-36da83cbb0d1/ProcPowerMgmt.docx It may help but too much over my head. LOL!
     
    Everway9, Sep 26, 2008
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  4. allfiredup

    allfiredup Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks....it's 49 freakin' pages....but thanks! :D :eek: :D I started reading it but it hurt like a hangover.....I think I need a drink now....
     
    allfiredup, Sep 26, 2008
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  5. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    You might want to set up your own custom power plan
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Sep 26, 2008
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  6. Everway9

    Everway9 Notebook Consultant

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    LOL! Sorry, didn't realise it was that big.
     
    Everway9, Sep 29, 2008
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  7. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    esentially, it is the minimum speed the processor will downclock to at idle. Max is the max speed a processor will clock up to when it is busy. The easiest is to use the balanced power plan. I personally graphed my processing needs with the Performance monitor and then set the clock appropriately for my needs, which is 5%-40% on battery and 5% - 100% on plug in.
     
    surfasb, Oct 1, 2008
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