Chapter 4: BIOS
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Execute Disable Bit (Available if supported by the OS & the CPU)
Select Enable to enable the Execute-Disable Bit, which will allow the processor to designate
areas in the system memory where an application code can execute and where it cannot,
thus preventing a worm or virus from flooding illegal codes to overwhelm the processor or
damage the system during an attack. The options are Disable and
Enable
. (Refer to the
Intel
®
and Microsoft
®
websites for more information.)
Intel Virtualization Technology
Use this feature to enable the Vanderpool Technology. This technology allows the system to
run several operating systems simultaneously. The options are Disable and
Enable
.
PPIN Control
Select Unlock/Enable to use the Protected Processor Inventory Number (PPIN) in the system.
The options are Unlock/Disable and
Unlock/Enable
.
Hardware Prefetcher (Available when supported by the CPU)
If set to Enable, the hardware prefetcher will prefetch streams of data and instructions from
the main memory to the L2 cache to improve CPU performance. The options are Disable
and
Enable
.
Adjacent Cache Prefetch (Available when supported by the CPU)
The CPU prefetches the cache line for 64 bytes if this feature is set to Disabled. The CPU
prefetches both cache lines for 128 bytes as comprised if this feature is set to Enable. The
options are
Enable
and Disable.
DCU Streamer Prefetcher (Available when supported by the CPU)
Select Enable to enable the DCU (Data Cache Unit) Streamer Prefetcher which will stream
and prefetch data and send it to the Level 1 data cache to improve data processing and
system performance. The options are Disable and
Enable
.
DCU IP Prefetcher (Available when supported by the CPU)
Select Enable for DCU (Data Cache Unit) IP Prefetcher support, which will prefetch IP
addresses to improve network connectivity and system performance. The options are
Enable
and Disable.
LLC Prefetch
If set to Enable, the hardware prefetcher will prefetch streams of data and instructions from
the main memory to the L3 cache to improve CPU performance. The options are
Disable
and Enable.
Extended APIC
Select Enable to activate APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller) support. The
options are
Disable
and Enable.