How to Enable E-Cores in ASUS BIOS: Step-by-Step Guide

If you have an Intel hybrid CPU from the 12th, 13th, or newer generations, it probably has both Performance-cores (P-cores) and Efficient-cores (E-cores). These E-cores make it easier to do more than one thing at once and run background processes by taking care of simple tasks while P-cores work on more complex ones.

But sometimes the BIOS turns off E-cores by default, or you might have turned them off earlier to fix performance problems. You can turn on E-cores manually in the BIOS settings if you have an ASUS motherboard.

This guide shows you how to unlock your processor’s full potential step by step.

What Are E-Cores?

Intel first used E-Cores, or Efficient Cores, in its Alder Lake hybrid CPU design. These cores are made to be energy-efficient and are best for running background tasks or tasks that don’t use a lot of power.

P-Cores (Performance Cores) work with E-Cores to handle heavy-duty tasks like gaming, rendering, and software development.

Why Enable E-Cores?

Here are some key reasons why you might want to enable E-cores:

• Better multitasking performance

• Increased power efficiency

• Improved thermal control

• Full utilization of CPU features

• More consistent performance in background-heavy tasks

Especially if you’re running Windows 11, the Thread Director feature can intelligently assign tasks to the appropriate cores—only if both P-cores and E-cores are enabled.

Step-by-Step: How to Enable E-Cores in ASUS BIOS

To enable E-cores on your ASUS motherboard, follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Enter BIOS

1. Restart your computer.

2. During boot, press the Del or F2 key repeatedly (depending on your motherboard model) until the BIOS screen appears.

✅ Tip: Make sure you’re using a USB keyboard; wireless ones sometimes delay input during boot.

Step 2: Switch to Advanced Mode

• Once inside BIOS, press F7 to switch from EZ Mode to Advanced Mode.

• Navigate to the Advanced tab at the top.

Step 3: Locate CPU Configuration

1. Go to Advanced → CPU Configuration.

2. Look for the Active Efficient Cores or E-Core Enable/Disable setting.

   • On some motherboards, it may be labeled as Intel Efficient Core or just Efficient Cores.

Step 4: Enable E-Cores

• Change the setting to Enabled or set the number of E-cores you want to activate.

• If the value is set to 0, your E-cores are disabled.

• You can either set it to Auto (lets the motherboard manage it) or enter the maximum number of E-cores your CPU supports.

Step 5: Save and Exit

• Press F10 to save changes and exit.

• Confirm when prompted, and let the system reboot.

Once rebooted, your operating system will now detect and use E-cores.

Quick Reference Table

Here’s a simple table to show what to look for in the ASUS BIOS interface based on different CPU models:

⚠️ Note: BIOS labels and options can vary slightly depending on your motherboard model and BIOS version. Always update to the latest BIOS if possible.

How to Confirm E-Cores Are Enabled

After rebooting, you can verify that E-cores are enabled using these tools:

1. Task Manager (Windows)

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc

• Go to the Performance tab > CPU

• Hover over the logical cores to see E-cores (usually have lower clock speeds)

2. CPU-Z

• Free software that shows you the architecture breakdown, including core types.

3. Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU)

• Gives detailed control and monitoring for Intel CPUs.

FAQs

What happens if E-cores are disabled?

When E-cores are disabled, background tasks are forced onto P-cores, which may cause slight performance drops in multitasking. It can also lead to higher power consumption and thermal output.

Can I disable E-cores for gaming?

Yes, but it’s not always necessary. Some older games may run better with only P-cores active. However, newer titles optimized for Windows 11 and hybrid CPUs often benefit from having both core types enabled.

Why aren’t my E-cores showing in Task Manager?

This can happen if:

• E-cores are disabled in BIOS.

• BIOS is outdated.

• CPU drivers or chipset software aren’t properly installed.

Do all Intel CPUs have E-cores?

No. Only Intel’s hybrid architecture CPUs (starting from the 12th Gen onwards) have a combination of P-cores and E-cores. Older CPUs like the 10th or 11th Gen do not include E-cores.

Final Tips

• Keep your BIOS updated: Newer firmware versions add better compatibility and more accurate labels for hybrid CPU features.

• Use “Auto” settings if unsure: Letting the motherboard manage E-core behavior can prevent misconfigurations.

• Check Windows power plans: Balanced or Performance modes can also impact how cores are used.

When you enable E-cores in your ASUS BIOS, you let your Intel CPU work the way it was meant to: balancing speed and efficiency for better everyday computing. Using all of your processor’s cores can speed up and make your system more responsive, whether you’re a gamer, a creative professional, or just someone who keeps a dozen browser tabs open.

Also Read: Exploring the Mysteries Behind CompatTelRunner.exe