CPU Core Enabled?

[OldWorld]

Hey guys, in my BIOS (Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H-B3), I have the phrase 'CPU Core Enabled', allowing me to select 1, 2, 3, 4, or Auto. I have an i5 2550k (quad core, though you probably knew that already). By default it is set to Auto, would setting it to 4 enable all cores at all times, or specifically just the fourth core? I'm not sure if Auto would disable cores when unnecessary or whatever.

Thanks in advance.

 

[13thmonkey]

just leave it alone. you might want to force single core if you want to get a speed record or something. windows is very good at managing cores, and will wake them up and sleep them as needed.

 

[OldWorld]

I wasn't sure if that was forcing a single core, or several cores at once (e.g. 3 for 3 cores). Are you sure it's just to force a certain core?

 

[13thmonkey]

it is to force a number of cores, but if you want to go for high overclocks (competitive style) then using only 1 core can be better

 

[OldWorld]

So if I selected 4, would that be better for games than setting it to Auto? Thanks again.

 

[13thmonkey]

no setting it to auto is best. Although it would be exactly the same at setting it to 4 in fact. if you set it to 3 it's not that the 4th is idle in windows, it simply doesn't exist in windows.