HP Presario Processor performance controls

Processor performance controls

CAUTION To prevent overheating, do not obstruct vents. Use the computer only on a hard, flat surface. Do not allow another hard surface, such as a printer, or a soft surface, such as pillows, thick rugs, or clothing, to block the airflow. Overheating can damage the computer and reduce processor performance.

NOTE In some cases, a computer may operate at a higher speed on external power than on battery power. If the battery power is extremely low, the computer may attempt to conserve power by reducing processor speed and graphics performance.

Windows XP enables you to manage the processor performance controls by selecting a power scheme. The processing speed can be set for optimal performance or for optimal power conservation.

Processor performance controls are managed in the Power Options Properties dialog box. To access Windows XP processor performance controls, select Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Power Options > Power Schemes tab.

The power scheme you select determines how the processor performs when the computer is plugged into external power or is running on battery power. Each power scheme for external power or battery power sets a specific processor state.

After a power scheme has been set, no other intervention is required to control the performance of the computer processor. The following table describes the processor performance on external and battery power for the available power schemes.

Power scheme	Processor performance while on external
	power

Processor performance while on battery power

Home/Office Desk	Always runs at the highest performance state.	Performance state is determined based on CPU
		demand.
Portable/Laptop	Performance state is determined based on CPU	Performance state is determined based on CPU
(default) *	demand.	demand.
Presentation	Performance state is determined based on CPU	CPU performance is lower on battery power, then
	demand.	steadily decreases as the battery discharges.
Always On	Always runs at the highest performance state.	Always runs at the highest performance state.
Minimal Power	Performance state is determined based on CPU	Performance state is determined based on CPU
Management	demand.	demand.
Max Battery	Performance state is determined based on CPU	CPU performance is lower on battery power, then
	demand.	steadily decreases as the battery discharges.

* It is recommended that you use the Portable/Laptop power scheme.

ENWW Processor performance controls 39