Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ryleeys]

I've got a P4 2.80 ghz cpu in this laptop, yet it only ever runs at 1.59 ghz.

I've run the Sandra system info program as well as some others and it recognizes the 2.80 ghz processor, just says the speed is at 1.59 ghz. It has run at 2.80 for short periods of time, but I don't know when or what causes it to kick up to full speed. I'd like for it to run at that all the time, since it stays at 1.59 even during processor intensive use.

Here's some ratings from WCPUID

[ WCPUID Version 3.3 (c) 1996-2004 By H.Oda! ]

Processor #1 : Intel Pentium 4 / 7ED34437
Platform : ----
Vendor String : GenuineIntel
CPU Type : Original OEM Processor (0)
Family : 15 (0)
Model : 2 (0)
Stepping ID : 9 (-)
Brand ID : 8 (-)
APIC : 0
HT Log.CPU Cnt : ----
Name String : Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz

Internal Clock : 1594.68 MHz
System Bus : 531.56 MHz QDR
System Clock : 132.89 MHz
Scalable Speed : 133.33 MHz
Multiplier : 12.0

L1 I-Cache : ----
L1 D-Cache : 8K Byte
L1 T-Cache : 12K uOps
L1 Cache : ----
L2 Cache : 512K Byte
L2 Speed : 1594.68 MHz (Full)

MMX Unit : Supported
SSE Unit : Supported
SSE2 Unit : Supported
SSE3 Unit : Not Supported
MMX2 Unit : Not Supported
3DNow! Unit : Not Supported
3DNow!+ Unit : Not Supported

Host Bridge : 8086:3580.02 [Intel 852/855 GM/GME/PM]
IDE Controller : 8086:24CA.03 [Intel 82801DBM (ICH4-M)]
VGA Device : 1002:4C57.00 [ATI MOBILITY RADEON 7500/7500C]
Memory Size : 512M Byte
Memory Clock : ??? MHz
: C6,2,M:0800,D:0000,R:0000


I have also turned off all the power options that this laptop has so that it always assumes that it's at full power. That speedstep stuff is all off.

I've also looked in the BIOS to see if there is anyway of forcing the CPU multiplier up (something I've done on desktops), but this BIOS has no settings for changing the processor at all.


Any ideas how to get this processor running at full capacity?

[Demophobe]

If it's really a P4 2.8, the multiplier in the BIOS should be set to 14. the FSB should also be 800 (200, quad pumped), not 531 (533 actually, which is 133 quad pumped). So, 14x200=2800, but you have 12x133=1596.

Now...very possible that the mainboard is 533 max....but that still doesn't account for the multiplier. Is heat an issue? P4s will scale back in high temps. CPUID reports the FSB at 133x4=533 which is low, unless the mainboard is maxed out, and the multiplier is only 12 (which apparently can't be changed) 12x133=1596. Actually, the settings (the math) is correct, but why is it so?

Check your BIOS settings...what does it say on POST? Look at the multiplier then check the FSB speed.

Summary: The FSB is 133, should be 200. The multiplier is 12, should be 14.

[ryleeys]

Okay, makes sense... yet my BIOS has no way of changing the multiplier and FSB...

And why has is read as 2.8 in the "My Computer" properties before?


It does get hot, but only rarely runs the auxillary fan.

[Demophobe]

If you have no way of changing the FSB (are you sure? I know it's a laptop, and they are limited), nor the multiplier, then what can you do?

Nothing.

The notebook make and model would help me help you...look for supported CPUs and speeds for that model. Where did you buy it?

The only thing I can think of is that it's not really what it says it is. There is something perhaps about the mainboard/CPU combo that isn't jiving. If it's a P4 that doesn't have hyper-threading, it's possible it's a 533 FSB CPU. P4s with HT are all 800, but the P4 w/o HT come in two flavours.

Anyways, it's peculiar for sure. BIOS settings are the only way to go. Check the BIOS thoroughly for any basic settings for 533/800 FSB settings or anything that has to do with FSB speeds. I know you did this already, but BIOSes can be elusive, especially in notebooks.

There are many a mainboard that don't support 800 FSB CPUs and this would also perhaps explain the multiplier ceiling at 12x. It wouldn't explain the phantom appearances of the 2.8 speed....at a loss there.

I will think on it some more and post back tonight.

[agraham]

Maybe this is too obvious, but you ARE running on AC when you check the speed, right?
Does the power property page agree that you are on AC?
You can't run at high speed off batteries no matter what settings you change.

[ryleeys]

Okay, the computer is a Samsung SensV30

I am on AC power.

[ryleeys]

Problem apparently solved...

Apparently I had to have the speedstep thing turned on in the BIOS, but disabled in Windows... go figure.

[Demophobe]

It's common for people to believe that everything can be controlled through Windows. People forget that a computer has layers of control/controllers.

Welcome to the cryptic, evasive BIOS.

Glad the problem is solved anyways. You must notice a nice speed bump from 1.5Ghz to 2.8....