How to Improve Your NVMe SSD Performance by Disabling ASPM

This guide will explain how to disable ASPM (Active State Power Management) in the BIOS/UEFI of your desktop PC to improve the performance of your Gen4 or Gen5 NVMe SSD. ASPM is a setting that reduces the speed of the PCIe connection when the device is idle, introducing a small latency that can cause micro-stuttering during computer use.

This optimization is useful for those using a desktop PC with an NVMe SSD and noticing micro-stuttering during gaming, application launch, or file transfer. Disabling ASPM can improve system responsiveness and reduce latency, offering a smoother user experience.

If your system does not show problems after the change, it is advisable to keep ASPM disabled. However, keep in mind that disabling ASPM does not guarantee that the SSD will never enter a low-power state, as modern SSDs have their own power-saving system called APST (Autonomous Power State Transition).

To verify the improvements, run some synthetic benchmarks and real-world tests before and after the change. If the results improve, keep the setting disabled; if instability or anomalies appear, re-enable it.

Prerequisites

• Hardware: Desktop PC with Gen4 or Gen5 NVMe SSD
• Software: Access to the motherboard BIOS/UEFI

PROCEDURE: Disabling ASPM in BIOS/UEFI

Following this guide, you will achieve an improvement in the responsiveness of your Gen4 or Gen5 NVMe SSD, reducing micro-stuttering during desktop PC use.

• Turn on the PC.
• At system startup, repeatedly press the Del or F2 key to access the BIOS/UEFI. The exact key may vary depending on the motherboard model.
• Navigate the BIOS/UEFI menu until you find the Advanced Settings or PCIe Settings section.
• Look for the ASPM (Active State Power Management) entry.
• Select the Disable or Disabled option.
• Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. This operation is usually performed by pressing the F10 key.
• The PC will restart with the new settings applied.

Verification and Troubleshooting

At the end of this guide, you will be able to test the impact of disabling ASPM on your system and resolve any issues.

Performance Testing

To verify if disabling ASPM has improved your system's performance, follow these steps:

• Run synthetic benchmarks: Use tools like CrystalDiskMark or AS SSD Benchmark to measure your SSD's performance before and after changing the ASPM.
• Real-world testing: Play your favorite games, launch applications, and transfer files to check if micro-stuttering has been reduced.
• Compare the results: Analyze the data obtained from the benchmarks and real-world performance feedback to determine if disabling ASPM has brought measurable improvements.

Troubleshooting

• Re-enable ASPM: Go back into the BIOS/UEFI and reactivate ASPM to see if the problems are resolved.
• Check APST: Remember that even with ASPM disabled, the SSD may still enter low-power mode thanks to APST. This could still cause micro-stuttering.
• Consult your SSD's manual: Some SSDs offer options to disable APST via software utilities provided by the manufacturer.

If the problems persist, consider consulting the technical support of your SSD or motherboard manufacturer for further assistance.

At the end of this guide, you will have learned to identify and resolve micro-stuttering caused by ASPM in your desktop system. Now you can proceed with the BIOS modification to optimize your NVMe SSD's performance.

Educational Summary

• ASPM is a function that reduces the speed of the PCIe connection when the device is idle.
• Disabling ASPM can improve system responsiveness and reduce micro-stuttering.
• Disabling ASPM does not guarantee that the SSD will never enter a low-power state.
• Perform benchmarks and tests before and after the change to assess improvements.

Call to Action

Follow the steps described to disable ASPM in your system's BIOS. Perform the recommended tests to verify performance improvements on your PC. If the results are positive, keep the setting disabled to enjoy a smoother and more responsive gaming and usage experience.