Realtime work depends on a laptop that stays fast, stable, and predictable under load. These recommendations ensure your system delivers consistent performance during CAT, Speechmatics, Dragon, and long deposition sessions.

1. Use the High Performance Power Plan

The High Performance plan prevents Windows from lowering CPU speed or entering deep sleep states that can cause audio delays, dropped packets, or realtime lag.

• Open Control Panel
• Go to Power Options
• Select High Performance

If you do not see it, click "Show additional plans.”

2. Set Minimum Processor State to 100%

This prevents the CPU from throttling down during realtime work.

• Control Panel → Power Options
• Change plan settings (High Performance)
• Change advanced power settings
• Processor power management → Minimum processor state → 100%

3. Disable USB Selective Suspend

This prevents Windows from powering down your USB audio interface or microphone during long jobs.

• Control Panel → Power Options
• Change plan settings
• Change advanced power settings
• USB settings → USB selective suspend → Disabled

4. Set System Cooling Policy to Active

This keeps the CPU cool and prevents thermal throttling during realtime sessions.

• Control Panel → Power Options
• Change advanced power settings
• Processor power management → System cooling policy → Active

5. Disable PCI Express Power Management

This prevents latency spikes caused by PCIe devices entering low‑power states.

• Control Panel → Power Options
• Change advanced power settings
• PCI Express → Link State Power Management → Off

6. Disable Hard Disk Sleep

Even with SSDs, this setting can cause unnecessary delays.

• Control Panel → Power Options
• Change advanced power settings
• Hard disk → Turn off hard disk after → 0 minutes

7. Disable Hybrid Sleep

Hybrid sleep can cause wake‑from‑sleep delays and audio device resets.

• Control Panel → Power Options
• Change advanced power settings
• Sleep → Allow hybrid sleep → Off

8. Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can cause inconsistent device initialization, especially with audio hardware.

• Control Panel → Power Options
• Choose what the power buttons do
• Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable”
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup

9. Keep Your Laptop Plugged In During Realtime Work

Windows behaves differently on battery power. For realtime stability, always work plugged in.

10. Restart Before Important Jobs

A fresh restart clears background processes, resets audio devices, and ensures maximum performance.

Summary

These settings ensure your laptop runs at full performance, avoids power‑saving interruptions, and maintains stable audio and CPU behavior during realtime work. They are essential for CAT, Speechmatics, Dragon, and any long deposition or trial session.