HPET (High Precision Event Timer) any issue disabling it? Intel 3770 system

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
190
106
HPET (High Precision Event Timer) any issue disabling it?

I have a Intel 3770 running up to 4.3Ghz in a Biostar tz77a board with Win7-64.
I don't see a place to disable HPET in the Bios so I disabled it in the Device manager.

I ran the Civ6 benchmark and get...

HPET = 66.8 FPS
HPET disabled = 79.1 FPS

So seems there is a good performance gain from disabling it. Anything wrong with doing it this way and leaving it disabled?
I did this test since seeing the Anandtech results with their newer Intel system. Seems this issue affects older chips as well.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
I've read that some games benefit and others are hurt from it. I know Windows 10 doesn't use HEPT by default. I guess try both ways on the games you play and see.
 

stAbb

Member
Apr 12, 2018
31
24
41
Hi Jimzz,

You didn't specify the OS you are using but I am guessing it's Windows 7 or later.
There shouldn't be any issues if you disable the HPET then.

Your game is using the Query Performance Counter in Windows.
When you disable HPET the Query Performance Counter will just fall back to using your CPU's Time Stamp Counter, TSC.

If you'd like to see this in action in a benchmark:
https://www.overclockers.at/articles/the-hpet-bug-what-it-is-and-what-it-isnt
This will also show you which performance counter Windows is using. (QPC mode)

Further reading:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/li...8(v=vs.85).aspx#general_faq_about_qpc_and_tsc

With kind regards,
stAbb