Balanced vs High Performance Power Plan: Better Input Latency on 14700KF?

[muhan]

Subject:
Balanced vs High Performance Power Plan: Better Input Latency on 14700KF?

Message:

Hello,

I’m currently testing mouse responsiveness and system behavior under different power plans using the following system:

System Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-14700KF (E-cores disabled via BIOS)
- Motherboard: MSI B660M Mortar DDR4 (latest BIOS)
- RAM: Samsung DDR4 3200MHz 32GB (non-XMP, stock settings)
- GPU: MSI RTX 3070 Gaming Z Trio
- Cooler: Enermax LIQMAX III 360 ARGB AIO liquid cooler
- OS: Windows 10 Pro 22H2 (fully updated)
- Intel Chipset Drivers: Latest version installed

Test Conditions:
Only P-cores are enabled. E-cores are disabled in BIOS.
Power plan comparison:
- Balanced: All sleep/power-saving features are disabled (USB selective suspend, PCI-E link state, etc.)
- High Performance: Identical settings, except CPU minimum processor state is set to 100%

Observed Behavior:
Under the Balanced plan, mouse input (cursor motion, click timing, precision aiming) feels smoother and more consistent than in High Performance mode.
In High Performance mode, I sometimes notice micro-jitter or over-responsiveness, which negatively affects aiming precision.

Questions:
1. Why might the Balanced plan offer better mouse input responsiveness than High Performance, especially with only P-cores enabled?
2. Could Balanced plan’s dynamic clocking help avoid USB polling interference or improve system interrupt handling?
3. Are there official recommendations from Intel or Microsoft on optimal power plans for hybrid CPUs (with E-cores disabled)?
4. Since Windows 10 lacks full support for Thread Director, could that explain differences in input responsiveness between the plans?

I would greatly appreciate any insights or documentation related to this topic, as the difference is very noticeable in latency-sensitive scenarios.

Thank you.

[ArchieD_Intel]

Hi muhan,

The Balanced plan may offer better mouse input responsiveness because it dynamically adjusts CPU speed based on demand, allowing for smoother system performance and efficient resource management. This can reduce micro-jitter or over-responsiveness compared to the High Performance mode, which runs the CPU at maximum speed constantly. The dynamic clocking in the Balanced plan can also optimize system interrupt handling and minimize USB polling interference. While Intel and Microsoft generally recommend using power plans that match your performance needs, the Balanced plan is often suitable for typical use, providing a balance between performance and energy efficiency. The lack of full Thread Director support in Windows 10 could further explain differences in input responsiveness, as it affects task scheduling across cores, leading to variations between the Balanced and High Performance modes.

If you have any questions, please let us know. Thank you.

Best regards,

Archie D.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[muhan]

Hi again,

Thank you for your helpful response earlier.

I have an additional question about the effects of BIOS power state settings on input latency and jitter.

If I disable C-State and C1E in the BIOS (with both EIST and Speed Shift enabled), and use the Balanced power plan in Windows 10, does this configuration:

1. Help reduce or eliminate micro-jitter caused by low power state transitions?
2. Maintain or improve input latency compared to using the High Performance power plan?
3. Provide a more consistent environment for USB polling and interrupt handling for mouse input?

My system:
- CPU: Core i7-14700KF
- Motherboard: MSI B660 (DDR4, latest BIOS & chipset drivers)
- OS: Windows 10
- Cooling: AIO (Enermax 360)
- GPU: RTX 3070 Gaming Z Trio
- RAM: Samsung DDR4-3200

I would appreciate any technical guidance on whether this configuration is recommended for consistent input responsiveness in competitive gaming.

Best regards,
[muhan]

P.S. Also, would it be better to disable EIST in this setup, or is it recommended to keep it enabled when using the Balanced power plan with C-State and C1E turned off? 

[ArchieD_Intel]

Hi muhan,

I will be checking this and will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Best regards,

Archie D.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[ArchieD_Intel]

Hi muhan,

1. Balanced vs High Performance Power Plan:

• The Balanced power plan dynamically adjusts CPU clock speeds based on demand, which can lead to smoother input responsiveness. This dynamic clocking might help avoid interference with USB polling or improve system interrupt handling, resulting in more consistent mouse input.
• In contrast, the High-Performance plan keeps the CPU at maximum clock speed, which can sometimes lead to micro-jitter or over-responsiveness due to constant high-power usage and potential thermal throttling.

2. BIOS Power State Settings:

• Disabling C-State and C1E can reduce latency caused by transitions to low power states, potentially minimizing micro-jitter. With EIST and Speed Shift enabled, your system can still adjust performance dynamically, which might help maintain or improve input latency compared to the High-Performance plan.
• This configuration could provide a more stable environment for USB polling and interrupt handling, enhancing mouse input consistency.

Additionally, there are no specific official recommendations for hybrid CPUs with E-cores disabled; using the Balanced power plan with dynamic clocking can be beneficial for latency-sensitive scenarios. Windows 10's lack of full support for Thread Director might contribute to differences in input responsiveness between power plans, as Thread Director optimizes task allocation across cores.

Keeping EIST enabled allows the system to adjust CPU frequency based on workload, which can be advantageous for maintaining consistent input responsiveness. Disabling EIST might lead to less flexibility in power management, potentially affecting performance in competitive gaming.

Overall, your configuration with the Balanced power plan, C-State and C1E disabled, and EIST enabled seems well-suited for achieving consistent input responsiveness. However, individual system behavior can vary, so it may be beneficial to test different settings to find the optimal balance for your specific needs.

For reference, you may also check:

• What Is Intel® Thread Director?
• Performance Hybrid Core Architecture of Intel® Core™ Platform Using Windows® 10
• Overview of Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology for Intel® Processors
• Difference Between Deep and Deeper Sleep States for Processors

Best regards,

Archie D.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[muhan]

Hi 

I’m curious whether the micro-jitter and negative effects caused by excessive input responsiveness seen in High Performance mode would also occur if I set the Minimum Processor State to 100% in the Balanced power plan.

Would this change make the Balanced plan behave like High Performance in a way that could negatively impact input consistency, or does the Balanced plan still retain its smoother input characteristics due to how it handles dynamic CPU scaling?

Thank you again for your support.

Best regards,
[muhan]

[ArchieD_Intel]

Hi muhan,

I will be checking this again and will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Best regards,

Archie D.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[ArchieD_Intel]

Hi muhan,

Adjusting the Minimum Processor State to 100% within the Balanced power plan influences CPU performance management but doesn't equate it to the High Performance plan. The Balanced plan supports dynamic switching, adapting performance based on workload needs, whereas the High Performance plan focuses on maximizing performance, often sacrificing power efficiency. The Balanced plan strikes a balance between power and performance, ensuring smoother input characteristics through dynamic CPU scaling and energy performance bias settings.

Increasing the Minimum Processor State to 100% in the Balanced plan may enhance responsiveness but doesn't inherently lead to the micro-jitter or negative effects associated with the High-Performance mode. The Balanced plan's dynamic adjustments prevent constant CPU strain unless required, thereby avoiding issues like thermal throttling that can impact performance consistency. While it boosts responsiveness, setting the Balanced plan to a Minimum Processor State of 100% doesn't fully mimic the High-Performance plan's behavior due to its dynamic switching and energy performance bias settings. 

You may also check https://edc.intel.com/content/www/us/en/design/products/platforms/details/raptor-lake-s/13th-generation-core-processors-datasheet-volume-1-of-2/advanced-configuration-and-power-interface-acpi-states-supported/ and search for topics related to "power"

Please feel free to contact us back. Thank you.

Best regards,

Archie D.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[ArchieD_Intel]

Hi muhan,

I just wanted to follow up to see if you had a chance to review the information I posted. Your feedback at your earliest convenience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 

Best regards,

Archie D.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[ArchieD_Intel]

Hi muhan,

Since I haven't received a response from you, I will be closing this inquiry. If you need further assistance, please submit a new question, as this thread will no longer be monitored, or you may also reach out to Microsoft and MSI technical support.

Best regards,

Archie D.

Intel Customer Support Technician