Bios Settings

BIOS Settings for DMA Cards:

To enable Direct Memory Access (DMA) and maximize speed and stability with your DMA card, follow the appropriate guide for your platform.

Intel Systems

1. Disable Virtualization Features

• VT-d: Disable (Usually found under Advanced > System Agent Configuration > VT-d or similar)

• Intel Virtualization Technology: Disable (Usually found under Advanced > CPU Configuration > Intel Virtualization Technology)

2. Set PCIe Slot Speed

• PCIe Slot Speed: Set to Gen1 for maximum compatibility. If your DMA card and software support higher speeds, you may try Gen2 or Gen3 for increased bandwidth. (Look under Advanced > PCI Subsystem Settings or similar)

3. Disable Security and Fast Boot Features

• Kernel DMA Protection: Disable (Often under Security or Advanced > System Configuration)

• Secure Boot: Disable (Found under Boot > Secure Boot)

• Fast Boot/Quick Start: Disable (Found under Boot > Boot Configuration)

• NX/XD Bit: Disable if available (Found under Advanced > CPU Configuration > Execute Disable Bit)

4. Enable Compatibility Support Module (CSM) (if needed)

• CSM: Enable if you encounter device initialization issues (Found under Boot > CSM)

5. Update BIOS

• BIOS Version: Ensure your motherboard BIOS is up to date for best compatibility.

AMD Systems

1. Disable Virtualization Features

• SVM (Secure Virtual Machine): Disable (Found under Advanced > CPU Configuration > SVM Mode)

• IOMMU: Disable (Found under Advanced > AMD CBS > NBIO Common Options > NB Configuration > IOMMU)

2. Set PCIe Slot Speed

• PCIe Slot Speed: Set to Gen1 for maximum compatibility. You may try Gen2 or Gen3 for higher speeds if your card supports it. (Look under Advanced > PCI Subsystem Settings)

3. Disable Security and Fast Boot Features

• Kernel DMA Protection: Disable (Often under Security or Advanced > System Configuration)

• Secure Boot: Disable (Found under Boot > Secure Boot)

• Fast Boot/Quick Start: Disable (Found under Boot > Boot Configuration)

• NX Bit: Disable if available (Found under Advanced > CPU Configuration > NX Mode)

4. Optimize Memory and CPU Settings (Advanced/Optional)

• Memory Speed: Set to the maximum supported by your system and DIMMs.

• Memory Interleaving: Enable for best bandwidth.

• Hardware Prefetchers: Enable.

• Core Performance Boost: Enable for optimal CPU performance.

5. PCIe Write and Cache Settings (Advanced/Optional)

• PCIe Allocating Write: Set to Non Allocating Write if available.

• IO Directory Cache: Enable if available.

6. Enable Compatibility Support Module (CSM) (if needed)

• CSM: Enable if you encounter device initialization issues.

7. Update BIOS

• BIOS Version: Ensure your motherboard BIOS is up to date for best compatibility.

Quick Reference Table

Setting	Intel Recommendation	AMD Recommendation
Virtualization (VT-d/SVM/IOMMU)	Disable	Disable
PCIe Slot Speed	Gen1 (try Gen2/Gen3 for speed)	Gen1 (try Gen2/Gen3 for speed)
Kernel DMA Protection	Disable	Disable
Secure Boot	Disable	Disable
Fast Boot/Quick Start	Disable	Disable
NX/XD Bit	Disable if available	Disable if available
CSM	Enable if needed	Enable if needed
Memory Speed/Interleaving	N/A	Max supported, enable
PCIe Write/Cache	N/A	Non Allocating Write, enable
BIOS Version	Latest	Latest