SCOPE
This thread is for reference for those asking about BIOS. This is NOT an overclocking thread! Do not change system bus speeds, voltages, disk drives, etc. This thread will simply help you set a standard (non-overclocked) machine to its best BIOS values. However, you may ask about any BIOS setting in this thread.

IMPORTANT
You should not attempt to change your BIOS unless you understand exactly what each change you make will do. Never change a BIOS setting just because you 'read about it' or 'xyz changed a setting, so I will too'. Each machine and configuration has specific needs. In some cases, several BIOS settings need to be changed in unison for best effect. Know your own BIOS, and how to restore your BIOS to its default settings, in case you get messed up.

INTRODUCTION
Personally, I take an HOUR or more, and the BIOS manual, and slowly go thru every single setting and make a written note in the printed user manual on each setting. I do this for every motherboard: I already know what most settings do, and it still takes an hour! So put the time in before making changes. If you do not have your motherboard manual, go to the maker's website, download the manual in PDF format, and print out the entire BIOS section, and 'lurk' in your BIOS before making changes (e.g., look & understand & document existing settings first).

So this thread is not for the 'lazy way out' ... but it is for reference if you are seriously attempting to learn how to set your BIOS to make your machine run more efficiently. If you do not understand something, post about it in this thread (if you have a question, probably others are wondering too ).

OVERCLOCKING.... NOT!!
I recommend you to not tweak RAM-related settings (the ones noted SPD in particular!) unless you understand overclocking. This is not an overclocking HOWTO thread. The thread exists to help gamers make normal system settings, in an optimum way for a given machine.

FAILED BOOT
If your system will not boot after a change, then reboot, enter your BIOS, and return to the previous setting (which you of course documented in writing before making the change!). You can also use the "Set BIOS defaults" option to change all settings to a standard, conservative state: understand your machine's procedure for this before making BIOS changes, and you can recover from any trouble.

NOTES
Note 01: Use these settings in your BIOS as a guide to help improve performance of your PC, particularly video.
Note 02: All listed settings are not avaiable in all BIOS (BIOS is dependent on maker and motherboard), so use only the ones that fit your BIOS after consulting your manual.
Note 03: This topic will be revised and expanded as time allows.
Note 04: If you are not sure about a setting, consult manual or post exact verbage before attempting a change.
Note 05: The AGP Aperture Size is discussed in more detail here.
Note 06: You are not a BIOS expert for just reading this thread.

  GENERIC BIOS ENTRY           NOTES       SETTING
===========================   ========   =====================================
Fast Gate A20 Option        :          : ENABLED 
Video BIOS shadowing        :          : DISABLED (not helpful in Win9x, NT, 2K, XP)
Video BIOS cacheable        :          : DISABLED (not helpful in Win9x, NT, 2K, XP)
xxxxx - xxxxx Shadow        :          : ALL DISABLED 
IDE prefetch mode           :          : ENABLED 
Init Display First          :          : AGP or PCI (use your graphic card type) 
IDE HDD Block Mode          :          : ENABLED 
IDE 32-bit transfer mode    :          : ENABLED (can have a big effect on HD speed)
Assign IRQ for USB          :          : DISABLED (unless you use USB devices) 
Assign IRQ for VGA          :          : ENABLED 
PCI/VGA palette snoop       :          : DISABLED (some TV cards might need this)
PNP OS Installed            :          : ENABLED (WinXP can handle PnP better than BIOS)
Resource Controlled By      :          : AUTO (unless you manually assign IRQs & DMAs) 
AGP aperture size           :          : 128 (256 is OK if no texture problems occur)
AGP master 1 WS write       : SPD      : DISABLED 
AGP master 1 WS read        : SPD      : DISABLED  
Bank 0/1, 2/3 DRAM timing   : SPD      : TURBO 
CPU to PCI write buffer     :          : ENABLED 
Delayed Transaction         : CRE      : DISABLED 
DRAM speculative leadoff    : SPD      : ENABLED 
DRAM Data Integrity Mode    :          : NON-ECC (Set to ECC if you have error-correcting memory) 
Delay DRAM read latch       : SPD      : (lower=faster)
Fast Writes                 :          : DISABLED (ENABLED for Radeon 9600 OR Athlon64 systems) 
Memory parity/ECC check     : SPD      : DISABLED (most gamers' RAM is not parity)   
Passive Release             : SPD      : DISABLED 
PCI Concurrency             :          : ENABLED 
PCI master 0 WS write       : SPD      : ENABLED  
RAS active time             : SPD      : (lower=faster) 
RAS to CAS delay            : MEM      : (lower=faster)   
Read around write           :          : ENABLED 
SDRAM Bank Interleave       :          : 4-bank (or 4-way) 
SDRAM CAS Latency Time      : MEM      : 2 (this is normally set to 3 or more; lower=faster)     
SDRAM cycle length          : MEM      : 2  
SDRAM Precharge control     :          : ENABLED 
Spread spectrum (modulation):          : DISABLED (used for emission compliance mainly)
System BIOS cacheable       :          : DISABLED 
Video RAM cacheable         :          : DISABLED 
8 bit I/O Recovery Time     :          : 1 
16 bit I/O Recovery Time    :          : 1 
Turbo frequency             :          : ENABLED

Post BIOS-related issues in this thread.

This guide will be expanded (check the current revision number under the title if changes have occured), but will not cover every BIOS setting in every computer. It is geared mainly to recent MBs and setting affecting general performance: read your manual first, and again: this is not an overclocking guide!

REVISIONS
0.80 First Release (still 'pre-1.0')
- Lists mostly video-related settings.

0.81
- Added more text
- Improved format
- Added a few new BIOS comments

[This message has been edited by Wartrain (edited 12-13-2005 @ 05:19 PM).]