32 bit transfer BIOS setting

[wpshooter]

There is a BIOS parameter on my ASUS P4C800 Deluxe motherboard in the hard drive section relating to 32 bit transfer mode.

Should this parameter be enabled or disabled and why ?

Thanks.

 

[wpshooter]

bump

 

[CrispyFried]

yes, its a 32 bit OS. but try benching it both ways.

 

[Pariah]

Yes. ATA natively transfers data in 16 bit chunks, yet the PCI bus it is normally attached to is 32 bit, so half the bandwidth goes to waste for each transfer. When 32bit transfers are enabled, the controller waits for 2 packets and groups them together before sending them on their way. Most motherboards have this feature enabled by default and don't even give you the option of turning it off, since there really is no reason to ever turn it off. Don't expect any preceptive speed increases, but again there is no reason not to enable it.

 

[wpshooter]

Strangely, on this board the default of disabled !!!

Thanks.

 

[teezee3000]

Yea I have the same board and was wondering the same thing, I enabled it and noticed no increase in performance.