Question Windows 10 Better Performance vs Best Performance ?

[alank22]

These two settings don't work quite as I would expect, but maybe I am understanding them wrong.

Best Performance in task manager shows 3.4 GHz even under 8% CPU utilization. It doesn't slow the CPU down, but I suppose that is what "Best" means.

Better Performance shows 1.6-1.53 GHz under that same 8% CPU utilization, but even if I task the CPU at 100%, it won't go any higher than 1.69 GHz. I would have though better might have allowed the CPU to go full speed when it needs to, but yet maintain a lower power threshold then it doesn't, but it seems like "Better" is like using half of your CPU. It seems like it is geared at keeping the CPU fan from running, but maybe that is a coincidence.

Is there something between these where if the load is low, it will be like better, but when the load gets high it will go to full CPU speed? Maybe there is something to tweak in the settings?

 

[Colif]

Are these power modes? is this a laptop?

four choices:

• The Best Performance mode is for people willing to trade off battery runtime to gain speed and responsiveness. In this mode, Windows won't stop apps running in the background from consuming a lot of power.
• The Better Performance (or Recommended) mode limits resources for background apps, but it otherwise prioritizes power over efficiency.
• The Better Battery mode delivers longer battery life than the default settings on previous versions of Windows.
• The Battery Saver mode, a slider choice that will appear only when your PC is unplugged, reduces the display brightness by 30%, prevents Windows Update downloads, stops the Mail app from syncing, and suspends most background apps.

what laptop make/model?

 

[alank22]

Yes, these are selected from the notification area when clicking the power/battery icon.

It is a Dell Inspiron 17 (model 5770).

 

[Colif]

It sounds like better runs CPU at base clock speed and won't let it boost up much past 100mhz faster, whereas Best lets it boost to 3,4
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...-8250u-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3-40-ghz.html

this doesn't help - https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/inspiron-17-5770-laptop_setup-guide_en-us.pdf

curious how this is set up on laptop - https://www.dell.com/support/conten...ase/software-and-downloads/dell-power-manager

 

[alank22]

I went into the dell power manager and all it has is battery information. It wants to update itself, but when i try it just launches a windows installed help screen so they must have gotten something wrong on that. Maybe I'll try to find a standalone download for it and see if I can update it and see what it has for options.

 

[Colif]

Dell Power Manager is an application that allows end users to maximize their system’s battery life by configuring how the battery should be maintained based on their personal preferences.

https://www.dell.com/support/conten...ase/software-and-downloads/dell-power-manager

latest for windows 10 is:
Dell-Power-Manager-Service_YX9MN_WIN64_3.15.0_A00_01.EXE | 17.94 MB
link

 

[alank22]

Good thought, but it is all about managing the battery itself with controls for how and when to charge it.

I guess this comes down to the question of does "better performance" normally limit the CPU to half of its capability on most Windows 10 systems, or is this something specific to this Dell system.

 

[Colif]

Best Performance runs CPU at max speed all the time, its not very efficient and creates more heat/uses more power.

I can't find anything that shows what CPU activity should be like in better

finding full descriptions of the settings is fun. None go into details.

I don't know if the menus shown here apply to your power plans but you could look to see if it shows a difference in how they handle the CPU power. Its possible it locked or not there, as I can't see it on balanced power on my PC. Probably not there on laptops either. Worth a look.

How to Adjust CPU Frequency in Windows 10

How to Adjust CPU Frequency in Windows 10: This Shows How To Adjust The CPU Frequency, As Well As Slowing/Limiting Or Unlocking The Full Speed Of Your CPU, On Your Windows 10 Computer

www.instructables.com

 

[alank22]

Thanks for your help Colif; I appreciate it. I'll check out the link and see what it shows!

 

[alank22]

OK - now we are getting somewhere. I went into the power plan and it shows the minimum processor state at 5% and the maximum processor state at 95%. I had never tried to change it before, but it is the same up to 99%, but once you set it to 100%, it then allows the CPU to jump up from 1.69 GHz to 3 GHz+. I guess if it is less than 100%, it won't go into full CPU speed in "Better Performance". Hopefully this will be the best of all worlds, fast and quiet.

 

[Colif]

strange it sits on 1.69 unless you set range to max 100%.
I get it not going to max if its set to 99 but you would think 99% be just a little slower. Not at most 100mhz faster than base.

Now we know how to fix it, I wonder what happens if you reset the plans... as that behaviour just seems strange

Step 1: Reset and restore the power plans to default

1. Click “Windows Key + X”,and then click on command prompt.
2. In the command prompt, type powercfg –restoredefaultschemesand hit Enter.
3. Exit command prompt.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...settings/ee524ccd-e834-47d4-b20a-55498daf0124
As if it just happens again, you can fix it now.