PC Engines apu2 experiences

dugeem

@kevindd992002

With either the latest legacy or mainline releases there is no longer any need to add specific coreboot configuration to loader.conf.local or device.hints.

With mainline up until v4.6.7 it was recommended to add

hint.ahci.0.msi="0"

To device.hints file (source https://github.com/pcengines/apu2-documentation/blob/master/docs/pfSense-install-guide.md)

NB do not modify loader.conf - it may/will be overwritten by pfSense. Always put system specific config lines in loader.conf.local.

kevindd992002

@dugeem

Thanks. So I don't have to worry about these custom configs then.

Veldkornet

I just have a look at /var/log/dmesg.boot and see what it complains about. Add anything that’s related to those.

kevindd992002

Is the APU2C4 a UEFI-compatible board?

VAMike

@kevindd992002 no

Qinn

@kevindd992002 no it's BIOS

wgentine

@Qinn reinitiating the conversation here. I did not go for 4.9.0.2 but i'm running 4.0.24 and also found a temperature drop from 58C (average) to 51C.

I have no idea why... performance is great and handling a gigabit FiberGateway w/o any issues. Just had to tweak a bit and enable igb firmware+NIC queues+hw offloading.

Wonder how we can start using the core performance boost feature... After applying this firmware I couldn't find any new speed freq setting beyond 1000.

Qinn

@wgentine I was so bold to copy your post in the other thread here, maybe someone can shed a light on it..

https://forum.netgate.com/topic/133656/did-i-just-overclocked-my-apu2c4-amd-gx-412tc-soc/31?loggedin=true

@wgentine said in Did I just overclocked my apu2c4 (AMD GX-412TC SOC)?:

Not supposed to resurrect this post but pcengines had just enabled AMD Core Performance Boot feature:

https://3mdeb.com/firmware/amd-cpu-boost/

Anyone fancy trying out?

wgentine

@Qinn I had a quick conversation with the firmware developer. He said ACPI doesn't know about the core boost feature but if you run some benchmarks you can finally prove a 40% performance increase in CPU + Memory bandwidth.

1.4Ghz... but FreeBSD won't know a thing about the clock increase.
At the same time the temperature dropped significantly.

wgentine

@Qinn the temperature decrease is due to the fact in order to enable Core Boots, the developer had to enable C6 states as well allowing the processor cores to enter in deep sleep when idling. Less heat and less power consumption as well. Making more money of the investment.

kevindd992002

So the core boost feature wouldn't really do anything for pfSense?

wgentine

of course it does! 40% more performance, less heat, less consumption.

stephenw10

Just because there's nothing to indicate it's happening in pfSense doesn't mean it's not.

You would only see that in pfSense on the dashboard if it were controlled by powerd.

Steve

dugeem

@wgentine theoretically up to 40% boost for partial CPU loads not requiring more than a single core. Boost is lower (or zero) when multiple cores are in use.
So any lightly loaded APU2 system will benefit but moderate or heavily loaded systems won’t.

wgentine

@dugeem nothing shall be running at 100%, 100% of time. If does, its ridiculously undersized.

Check developer's info: https://3mdeb.com/firmware/amd-cpu-boost/

I see more value for the same cost.

kevindd992002

Is that something that you need to enable though? Or would running at the latest mainline firmware automatically overclock the CPU?

wgentine

@kevindd992002 as long as you install 4.9.0.2 or 4.0.24 you get it activated.

dugeem

@wgentine As per link the APU2 system load doesn’t even have to reach 100% for boost mode to cease. AMD internal power control will reduce or disable boost based on multi core activity together with thermal parameters.

No argument though that it adds useful extra lift to APU2 performance.

dugeem

@wgentine said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:

@kevindd992002 as long as you install 4.9.0.2 or 4.0.24 you get it activated.

Or wait a few days for forthcoming releases 4.9.0.3 & 4.0.25 which will enable core boost as well as providing the ability to disable it in BIOS.

wgentine

@dugeem fair enough... thermal and power consumption is still priority in a small system with passive cooling.