Dell XPS 710 - Manual (Page 66)

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Optimizing Performance
Dell™ XPS™ 710 Owner's Manual
Understanding PCI Express Cards
Understanding Dual Graphics Technology
Understanding CPU Over-Clocking
Understanding PCI Express Cards
PCI Express is the next generation technology for graphics cards and PCI cards. The PCI Express x16 slot is used in place of the AGP graphics card slot. The
dimensions of PCI Express card slots are different from those of the PCI card slots, and the cards are not interchangeable (you cannot install a PCI card in a
PCI Express card slot, or a PCI Express card in a PCI card slot).
Some benefits of PCI Express technology include:
l Greater available bandwidth — PCI Express bus bandwidth is 250 MB/s in each direction per lane simultaneously, while PCI bus bandwidth is 133 MB/s
in one direction at a time.
l Prioritization of service — Multiple PCI cards installed in a computer all share a common bus, but each PCI Express card operates on its own channel.
Activities such as video conferencing and web camera functions can be automatically prioritized through the device software to reduce latency.
Understanding Dual Graphics Technology
With dual-graphics technology, an optional second PCI Express graphics card will significantly increase graphics performance on your computer. Benefits of this
technology can be seen in the improved portrayal of the 3-D graphics used in gaming and design applications.
Each graphics card includes at least one GPU (graphics processing unit). In dual graphics card configurations, multiple GPUs dynamically share their workload
to provide the best possible performance. For a given application, the software selects the optimum rendering (processing) mode.
For more information, see the documentation that came with your graphics card.
Understanding CPU Over-Clocking
Your Dell computer provides the limited capability to adjust the operating frequency, or clock speed, of the processor.
Altering the CPU operating frequency (commonly referred to as over-clocking) enables you to increases the speed of the processor to a frequency that is faster
than the processor manufacturer's design specifications, and possibly enhance the overall performance of your system.
Dell does not guarantee that your computer will function or remain stable during the use of any extended operating frequencies. If your computer shuts down
unexpectedly or is unstable, select a lower operating frequency for the CPU.
You can make limited adjustments to the CPU operating frequency in system setup. For more information on accessing system setup, see System Setup .
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NOTICE: Dell does not recommend operating the CPU at a frequency that is greater than the manufacturer's design specifications. Operating the CPU in
this manner may cause your system to shut down unexpectedly, may result in a loss of data, and may reduce the operational life of the processor. If
the system shuts down unexpectedly or is unstable, select a lower CPU operating frequency.