If you need to achieve a high Novabench CPU score (800+) in a Virtual Machine (VM) hosted on Windows Server 2022 with Hyper-V, this guide will show you how to maximize processor performance.
The key to success, as demonstrated by our practical experience, is optimizing the Host’s CPU Clock Speed (Frequency).
1. 🎯 Goal and Strategy
The goal is to push the score of the single Novabench CPU test above 800 points (and ideally well over 1000).
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Starting Point: Achieving a CPU score above 500 is easy; surpassing 800 is the real hurdle in VMs.
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The Strategy: The number of cores isn’t enough. The solution is to focus on the Host’s CPU Frequency to maximize the computational power of each virtual core.
2. ⚡ Phase 1: Unlock Maximum Host Frequency (The Crucial Step)
The most impactful factor for the CPU score is ensuring your Host’s physical CPU operates at its absolute highest possible Turbo Boost frequency.
Set the Power Plan to “High Performance” (Host)
Windows Server, by default, uses balanced plans that inhibit the CPU from reaching its maximum speed. We must force maximum performance.
Action: Force the “High Performance” or “Ultimate Performance” power plan on your Windows Server 2022 Host.
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Open the Run window ($\text{WIN} + \text{R}$) on your Host.
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Type
powercfg.cpland press Enter. -
In the Power Options window, select:
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High Performance.
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(Optional, but better) Ultimate Performance: Unlock this plan using PowerShell with Administrator privileges by running:
PowerShell
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
Observed Result: This single action boosted our CPU score from 556 (on the Basic plan) to 1176 (on the High Performance plan)!
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3. ⚙️ Phase 2: Hyper-V VM Optimization
These settings ensure the VM gains maximum priority when utilizing the newly unlocked high-frequency CPU cycles.
A. Maximum Priority (Relative Weight)
The relative weight determines your VM’s priority over other processes competing for CPU time.
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In the VM settings, navigate to Processor.
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Set the Relative Weight to the maximum value: 800.
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Note: It was verified that the CPU score significantly improves when the weight is set to 800.
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B. Virtual Processor Allocation (vCPU)
If frequency is quality, vCPUs are quantity. For a CPU score over 800, the quantity must be high.
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Set a High Number: Assign a number of vCPUs that is as close as possible to the number of physical cores on your Host.
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Our Result: Using 12 vCPUs combined with the maximum frequency allowed us to reach the 1176 score.
4. 📊 Summary of Results and Conclusion
This table summarizes the impact of the optimizations based on real data:
| Configuration | Processors (vCPU) | Relative Weight | Host Power Plan | Result (CPU Score) |
| Starting Point | 10 | 800 | Balanced (Basic) | 556 |
| Goal Achieved | 12 | 800 | High Performance | 1176 |
Conclusion: By focusing on the Host’s frequency (High Performance), and combining it with maximum priority (Relative Weight 800) and a high number of vCPUs (12), you can significantly exceed the 800 threshold in the Novabench CPU test.
Additional Note: For balancing resources in a production environment (with other VMs), you may test reducing the vCPUs (e.g., to 8) while keeping the High Performance plan on the Host. You will still achieve a very high CPU score (estimated between 800 and 950) while conserving some resources.
