POST and Win7 load times on new X79 system

[firebirdfan]

Here's the system that I put together this past weekend:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bgZz

CPU: Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($112.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 PRO ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($307.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($223.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($572.23 @ Mac Connection)
Case: Thermaltake VN10006W2N-B ATX Full Tower Case ($399.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($155.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS224-06 DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VG236H 120Hz 23.0" Monitor ($319.98 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2512.12

I've gotten it up and running with little to no issues right now. Windows is fully updated. My SSD firmware is up to date. My chipset drivers are up to date. Everything is as recent per the ASUS website.

Here's the thing. My computer boots to the Windows desktop in 40 seconds from the time I push the power button (cold start or not). That 40 seconds counts the POST (approx 22-24s) and the Windows 7 load time (~18 seconds). I've disabled the Marvell controller and didn't install the drivers (I won't be using the ports). I've disabled the Bluetooth controller, but did install the drivers before doing so (again, won't be using it). I've also disabled the BIOS splash screen and set the POST confirmation screen to a 1 second delay (it won't go lower).

I keep hearing people say that their computer turns on in 25 seconds. Quite a few people are saying that a 40 second boot time is atrocious for an SSD. The speed of the SSD seems fully up to spec. Windows updates take literally seconds and the shutdown time is damn near instant. My old roommate has the same SSD, but has an Asrock board and a 3930K. His boot times are very close to mine (~35s).

Is there something I'm missing here, or is 40 seconds a normal thing?

 

[SchizTech]

A lot depends on the POST time; your own numbers show that POST takes up more than half the total boot time for your rig. The faster booting machines could have faster POST times.

But 40 sec including POST isn't anything to shake a stick at.

 

[firebirdfan]

I'm not sure what you meant by that last sentence. You mean I'm okay for that time?

 

[SchizTech]

It's not really bad, no. Also, consider that lot of machines with standard HDDs take some extra time after the desktop appears until they're actually usable (depending on how much crap loads at startup). This isn't nearly as big a problem with SSDs.

 

[Chainzsaw]

Mine turns on in about ~30 seconds to a usable desktop.

Is your SSD in AHCI mode (in the bios)? If it's not, don't change it quite yet, as you would have to do a software switch in your OS before you do. But i'm guessing you already have AHCI mode on.

A lot of BIOSes have checks done on RAM/other parts of the mobo on boot up (which can eat up time). Have you looked in your BIOS to see if you could disable any of them (or if you even have any)?

You can also disable ALL OTHER boot devices in the BIOS (including PXE), besides your main OS drive. Some computers will tend to boot much slower with a USB flash drive/ even a CD/DVD inside the DVD drive

Other than that, that's a fairly quick boot time. Maybe it's just that your BIOS/motherboard is fully featured and has to do more checks than usual.



Download AS SSD and run just 1 benchmark. What you want to look for is in that program on the top left it should show something like "103424 - OK". It might not show that exact number but you get the idea.

Heres a little info guide about AS SSD:

http://www.overclock.net/t/754763/as-ssd-benchmark-thread

If you look at the submitted pics of the AS SSD benchmarks most of them say "OK".

 

[firebirdfan]

The BIOS is in AHCI mode. It was the first thing I did when I set this thing up. I followed Sean's SSD Optimization Guide. 1024MB pagefile, no hibernation, no system restore.

Yes, there are RAM checks and other things with my motherboard. I'm not sure if I can turn them off. I haven't seen anything yet.

Only 2 boot devices I have are the SSD and the optical. The optical is empty and there are no USB drives attached.

Here's what I got off the benchmark:



Good, bad? I'm really not sure.

Another question. Do I need the Intel RSTe drivers or no? I thought they were only for RAID setups. Not sure if they benefit me or not. I originally had them installed, and I figured uninstalling them might help. There was no change. Wondering if they're even necessary.

 

[Chainzsaw]

Hmm those look very close to their specs (520/400). So I think your absolutely fine there.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1795/4/

It does seem slightly slower in some areas, but faster in others.

It's hard to say whether or not the RSTe drivers would give you more performance. However that's up to you to decide.

Edit: Is your page file on your SSD? Why not try disabling it (just to test out), or dumping it on an extra drive (if you have one). You have plenty of RAM to not have to use the page file. You can also try disabling some start up programs to shave off a few more seconds.

 

[firebirdfan]

I'm honestly not sure what a pagefile is. All I know is that reducing it gained me back some space on the SSD, which to me is critical for it's size.

I do have an extra drive, but for some reason, when it's hooked up, windows and the BIOS refuse to see it. I'm gonna try a direct connection tomorrow at some point instead of trying to use my case's hot swap bay.

 

[Chainzsaw]

A pagefile acts like RAM, except it is located on your storage device, which in this case is your SSD.

Sometimes disabling a pagefile completely speeds things up. Sometimes programs don't like a disabled pagefile, and would rather use a pagefile instead of the RAM.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-the-size-of-virtual-memory

You can disable, change, and enable the pagefile as shown in the link.

To see what startup programs you have currently running:

Click on Start orb

Type: MSCONFIG

In the "startup" tab you will see a list of programs that start when your computer boots up to the desktop. I disable things like Adobe reader (does it always have to start up?) and Power DVD service,


Edit.

 

[firebirdfan]

Best answer selected by firebirdfan.

 

[branflan]

Best answer selected by firebirdfan.

nDisable the Marvell Controller and the ASMedia Controller (If you're not using them) in BIOS, it will POST twice as fast