Asus has introduced its Asus Performance Enhancement (APE) feature for a selected bunch of Intel 400-series, non-Z motherboards. As reported by BenchLife, the feature is available through a new firmware.
Asus Performance Enhancement is comparable to ASRock's Base Frequency Boost (BFB) that basically overrides a 10th Generation Comet Lake CPUs' PL1 (power level 1) to a higher figure than Intel's predefined value. However, the feature shouldn't be confused with BCLK overclocking, since Intel still locks down the multiplier in non-K chips.
With APE, a locked Comet Lake processor will flaunt higher sustained clock speeds but still run within Intel's parameters, which is likely the reason why Intel has no problem with it. The similarity between APE and BFB is evident; however, ASRock is more generous in terms of support. Asus enables its solution on the B460 and H470 motherboards, whereas ASRock brings support back to Z390 and B365 offerings as well.
B460 and H470 Motherboards With Asus Performance Enhancement
| Model | Power Limit | BIOS Version |
|---|---|---|
| ROG Strix B460-F Gaming | 201W | 0808 |
| ROG Strix B460-G Gaming | 125W | 0808 |
| ROG Strix B460-H Gaming | 125W | 0306 |
| ROG Strix B460-I Gaming | 125W | 0306 |
| ROG Strix H470-I Gaming | 125W | 0807 |
| TUF Gaming B460-Pro (Wi-Fi) | 125W | 0808 |
| TUF Gaming B460-Plus | 125W | 0808 |
| TUF Gaming B460M-Plus (Wi-Fi) | 125W | 0306 |
| TUF Gaming B460M-Plus | 125W | 0306 |
| TUF Gaming H470-Pro (Wi-Fi) | 125W | 0807 |
| TUF Gaming H470-Pro | 125W | 0807 |
The list of Asus motherboards includes 11 different models of all form factors, spanning from the H470 chipset to the B460 chipset. Enabling APE seems pretty simple. All you have to do is enter the motherboard's BIOS, and you'll find the appropriate option and enable it. APE will do the rest of the work.
APE unlocks the power limit for Comet Lake processors. For example, the 65W models can run as if they are 125W parts. The firmware opens the power limit to 125W on the corresponding Asus motherboards, expect for the ROG Strix B460-F Gaming, which allows a value up to 210W. This ROG Strix B460-F Gaming probably has the most capable power delivery subsystem out of the lot, which would make Asus less afraid to unlock a higher power value.
Asus' Performance Enhancement and ASRock's Base Frequency Boost features are more of a PL1 hack than actual overclocking. Regardless, other motherboard manufacturers will likely hop on the bandwagon now that two of the biggest motherboard brands are already on board.
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Zhiye Liu is a news editor, memory reviewer, and SSD tester at Tom’s Hardware. Although he loves everything that’s hardware, he has a soft spot for CPUs, GPUs, and RAM.
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Josita Weird, I already have this setting on the Asus H370-F with a 9700 non-k since 2019. It just sets PL1 and PL2 to max/unlimited so it'll turbo boost indefinitely.Reply -
TerryLaze Reply
Yes but it will still stick to whatever PL2 is for your CPU,with the new method it will give a lower TDP CPU the same PL2 as a higher CPU.Josita said:Weird, I already have this setting on the Asus H370-F with a 9700 non-k since 2019. It just sets PL1 and PL2 to max/unlimited so it'll turbo boost indefinitely.
"APE unlocks the power limit for Comet Lake processors. For example, the 65W models can run as if they are 125W parts. The firmware opens the power limit to 125W on the corresponding Asus motherboards, expect for the ROG Strix B460-F Gaming, which allows a value up to 210W. This ROG Strix B460-F Gaming probably has the most capable power delivery subsystem out of the lot, which would make Asus less afraid to unlock a higher power value. " -
AlistairAB ReplyTerryLaze said:Yes but it will still stick to whatever PL2 is for your CPU,with the new method it will give a lower TDP CPU the same PL2 as a higher CPU.
"APE unlocks the power limit for Comet Lake processors. For example, the 65W models can run as if they are 125W parts. The firmware opens the power limit to 125W on the corresponding Asus motherboards, expect for the ROG Strix B460-F Gaming, which allows a value up to 210W. This ROG Strix B460-F Gaming probably has the most capable power delivery subsystem out of the lot, which would make Asus less afraid to unlock a higher power value. "
Are you sure? You can already set PL2 to be whatever you want regardless of the CPU. Could do it before, can do it now. And there is no difference with the Strix B460-F or the H470 Pro, you can set it yourself under CPU power management to whatever you want. -
TerryLaze Reply
Well that's what it sounded like,yes as it turns out it's just PL2.AlistairAB said:Are you sure? You can already set PL2 to be whatever you want regardless of the CPU. Could do it before, can do it now. And there is no difference with the Strix B460-F or the H470 Pro, you can set it yourself under CPU power management to whatever you want.