Sonar performance vs. SpeedStepping, TurboBoost, OC, CoreParking, et. al. on WIN7 64 bit

On windows 7 I would definitely disable core parking in Windows, Speed Stepping, Turbo boost and the C1 options in the bios.
 
If the system is stable with the overclock I would continue to use it. As far a Hpet timer you would need to test it both on and off on your system to see which performs better.
 
This is just my opinion based on personal experience. YMMV.
 

My experience has been that "turbo" mode isn't a problem but the other things listed are.

As for overclocking, I've found getting the noise level from the PC fans down is more important (to me) than a bit more cpu speed. Though I hardly use vsti synths at all other than for drums so rarely have issues with cpu performance.

I just reformatted this machine with a particular focus on latency. I need to put together a more readable list of things, but in short: I did disable core parking right away, turbo mode/speed step/HPET were all "immaterial" to items that jack latency through the roof in the system, OC increases heat and induces page faults (as well as dielectric breakdown of the CPU) so have never used this. Power options to idle/sleep nothing are also important (run through the entire list in the "advanced power settings" pop-up).
 
The biggest hitters to latency are "automatic [anythings]" with Windows Search (disabled in "services.msc") and network auto discoveries (in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center->"Change advanced sharing settings") being # 1 and #2. Both of those are very aggressive and self-starting unless specifically disabled. I even brought this back online with Avast 2015 (in "Silent/Gaming Mode"). Highest page faults come from Internet Explorer, not surprising really, but the system can be online (was in the forums at the time), SONAR open (transport was not running during this capture), Avast running, and looks like this:
 
 
Depending on Internet Explorer usage the total reported fault count (bottom bar) will ramp up into the red.
 
The other big picture item is to monitor "msconfig.exe," both services and startup tabs for non-essentials (many programs will load themselves into boot just by starting them). Hardware support/virus protection are essentials (not recommended to disable those).
 
 

I have c1e disabled in my DAW and MS power management setup to run 100% or close to that and it does make a noticeable difference if you want to run at small buffer sizes. I'm OCed, but I let the ASUS util do it and it's fairly modest. Instead of 3.6 it will run up to 4 GHz.

Here is the best post about disabling core parking (sorry, should have linked that one earlier). I also missed clarifying that I left turbo mode/speed step/HPET to "Enabled" mode (defaults).

Lots of helpful replies and shared experiences. Thanks.
 

mettelus
I just reformatted this machine with a particular focus on latency. I need to put together a more readable list of things, but in short: I did disable core parking right away, turbo mode/speed step/HPET were all "immaterial" to items that jack latency through the roof in the system, OC increases heat and induces page faults (as well as dielectric breakdown of the CPU) so have never used this. Power options to idle/sleep nothing are also important (run through the entire list in the "advanced power settings" pop-up).
 
The biggest hitters to latency are "automatic [anythings]" with Windows Search (disabled in "services.msc") and network auto discoveries (in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center->"Change advanced sharing settings") being # 1 and #2. Both of those are very aggressive and self-starting unless specifically disabled. I even brought this back online with Avast 2015 (in "Silent/Gaming Mode"). Highest page faults come from Internet Explorer, not surprising really, but the system can be online (was in the forums at the time), SONAR open (transport was not running during this capture), Avast running, and looks like this:
 

 
Depending on Internet Explorer usage the total reported fault count (bottom bar) will ramp up into the red.

 
OK, made a note to check once more on advanced power options and automatic services ... as regards networking I seem to get away with simply having LAN unplugged (no WIFI installed) ...
 

mettelus
The other big picture item is to monitor "msconfig.exe," both services and startup tabs for non-essentials (many programs will load themselves into boot just by starting them). Hardware support/virus protection are essentials (not recommended to disable those).
 

 

Doktor Avalanche
Process monitor and process explorer are your friends here.

 
"msconfig" is your friend when it comes to disabling basically anything you can live without, especially as reactivation is just one click + reboot. nothing to destroy there by mistake. I basically have everything non-Microsoft and not hardware related (graphic & HD controller) disabled.
 
I even disabled anti-virus because the DAW is offline and only goes online for monthly updates (win8, C3, NI, XLN). No files from clients enter my system directly via USB sticks - simple & effective policy.
 
So my processes tab in task monitor starts almost empty.
 

Doktor Avalanche
Info and discussion on HPET here, I keep it on.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=3237094

I follow that HPET discussion ... very interesting. Especially as most information on the web is from a gamers perspective and IMHO does not necessarily translate directly to optimum audio performance (as we don't have all that 3D graphics "overhead") ...