Precision Workstations Have Slow Performance Under Low Workloads

Summary: Information about certain Precision workstations having intermittent slow performance issues.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Symptoms

Dell Precision workstation Users might experience intermittent slow response under low workload conditions in both the Operating System (OS), or in the BIOS, while the Processor speed is stuck at 0.8 GHz.


Examples of this behavior are slow or lagging mouse and keyboard operation while typing in text applications, normal use of Excel, or Word applications. Slow response in the BIOS when changing settings happens as well.


Affected Models:

  • Precision 5860 Tower
  • Precision 5860 XL Tower
  • Precision 7960 Tower
  • Precision 7960 XL Tower
  • Precision 7960 Rack
  • Precision 7960 XL Rack

Cause

This is a known Intel issue. Intel’s Energy Preference Bias (EPB) settings are causing the slow performance as the processor stays at low speeds if the workload is not high enough.

Resolution

BIOS and Patch Fix

This is an industry-wide problem, and Intel has issued a patch to address it. Download and upgrade the Precision BIOS to the version listed below or newer to fix the issue.

  • Precision 5860 Tower: 1.1.15 or newer
  • Precision 5860 XL Tower: 1.1.15 or newer
  • Precision 7960 Tower: 1.1.14 or newer
  • Precision 7960 XL Tower: 1.1.14 or newer
Note: The Dell Engineering Team suggested the following workaround for the Precision 7960 Rack and Precision 7960 XL Rack systems.

Workaround:
A short-term workaround is to change the "Power Mode" setting to "High Performance."

  1. Use the following Microsoft steps to go to the "Power Options": Change the Power Mode for your Windows PC This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.
  2. Change the "Power Plan" mode to "High Performance" (Figure 1).
    Windows Choose or Customize a Power Plan Menu
    Figure 1
     
  3. Reboot the Precision workstation.
Note: This workaround does not fix the issue while in the BIOS.


Back to Top

Affected Products

Precision 7960 XL Rack, Precision 5860 XL Tower, Precision 7960 XL Tower, Precision 5860 Tower, Precision 7960 Rack, Precision 7960 Tower
Article Properties
Article Number: 000215172
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 19 Apr 2025
Version:  8
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.