2.0 Ghz Pentium M running at 1.06 Ghz. Why?

[caseyc]

I have a 2.0 Ghz Pentium M running at 1.06 Ghz. Is this normal? It is being used with an ASUS CT-479 adaptor and an ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe mobo.

 

[arcas]

Is your OS aware that it's a P-M? It's a variable-speed CPU. Mine (also 2GHz) normally runs at 600MHz unless there's a CPU load in which case a background daemon (I'm running Linux but I imagine Windows is similar) will crank up the multipler until it reaches 2GHz if necessary.

 

[stevty2889]

Do you have the correct BIOS version to support the CT-479 adaptor? Also check the multiplier in the bios as well, since the lower multipliers are unlocked on the pentium-m, it may have defaulted to a lower multiplier. Did you make sure you have the jumpers on the CT-479 in the correct position? There is one for 400mhz FSB, and one for 533mhz FSB, but there are two other possible configurations so the jumpers could just be wrong.

 

[caseyc]

I have the correct BIOS version and have altered the multiplie to bring it up to 2.0Ghz. I was happy with that but based on arcas' response should I have left it at 1.06 and allow Windows to push it up as it needed to?

 

[arcas]

I don't know. As I understand, the P-M's lowest multiplier is 1.5 (so a 400MHz FSB yields a minimum speed of 600MHz, 533Mhz FSB yields 800MHz). Your 1.06GHz speed implies that you're running 533MHz FSB and the multiplier is always 2? Seems a little odd. Does the CT-479 even allow for speedstep (or whatever it's called for the P-Ms) or does it simply provide a way to install a cooler mobile CPU in a desktop socket?

 

[caseyc]

The only additional thing the adaptor allows as far as I can tell is the option to choose the FSB speed (400 or 533). As you observed it is set to 533. I suppose I could bring the processor down to 1.06 again and see how it works with the software I will be using and alter accordingly. The machine is going to be used as a music recording system so to some extent low noise levels are as important as the processing power.

 

[caseyc]

Got it sorted on another forum. Here's the link.
http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=34376

Thanks for the help.
caseyc

 

[ND40oz]

Read your solution on the other forum. I'd up your multiplier while your at it and overclock that chip. It should have no problem running at 2.4 to 2.6 gigs, try a 11 or 12 multiplier (or higher, depends on what memory your using and how high it can clock) and mess with the fsb until you get it stable.

Also, the pentium m can go as low as a 6x multiplier, not 1.5. Since it uses quad pumped fsb, your 400 mhz fsb is really 100 mhz with a 6x multiplier it runs at 600 mhz. Same goes with the quad pumped 533 mhz fsb, it runs a 133 fsb with a 6x multiplier it clocks down to 800 mhz.

 

[caseyc]

Thats very useful advice. The memory in use is 2 X 1GB PC3200, I will try pushing up the multiple and see what happens. My only concern is that it might cause the chip to run hotter and result in increased fan noise which I need to keep to a minimum.
Also, you mentioned about the Pentium M using quad pumped fsb

-----
Since it uses quad pumped fsb, your 400 mhz fsb is really 100 mhz with a 6x multiplier it runs at 600 mhz. Same goes with the quad pumped 533 mhz fsb, it runs a 133 fsb with a 6x multiplier it clocks down to 800 mhz.
-----

Could you point me in the direction of a site that would explain this or if you are feeling charitable have a go yourself.
Thanks for the info in the last post, its makes me a bit more reassured about putting the machine together.
caseyc

 

[OCedHrt]

If you're looking to keep noise down, you could also drop the multiplier and undervolt to reduce temp and possibly fan noise.

My laptop with a 400 FSB Dothan P-M under load is at 46C with 0.7v at 600 when passively cooled. It maxes out at low 60s at 1.004v at 1.4 (1.6 default, underclocked). The fan doesn't kick in until it gets over 60C, but it is a slow climb from 53->60. It actually hovers around 52C with fan blowing at it's lowest speed (barely audible if i put my ear up to it).

However, at 1.6 with 1.34v (stock settings) it easily goes over 70C and the fan comes on with full force.

 

[soulglow]

I've got a similar thing going on so I thought I'd post it here.

Just bought a new Sony Vaio VGN-FS760/W ...first notebook after building desktops for many years. Specs:
Pentium M750 1.86GHz "Dothan" core 533MHz FSB.
512MB PC2-4200 RAM,
Intel i915 chipeset
etc, etc.

Anyway, I thought it seemed a little sluggish so I checked the stats in system information, and it said the CPU was running at 798MHz. Hmmm.
So I fired up CPU-Z, then Sandra, and they both agree: 798.1 MHz.

This is a fresh-out-da-box laptop too...well, mostly. It came with a 512 SODIMM of PC4200 which I popped out and put in 2 sticks of KVR533D2S4/1G for a total of 2GB. I thought maybe this was causing the problem so I put the original 512 stick back in and nothing changed. The Sony BIOS has absolutely no options for bus and clock speeds or multipliers, by the way.

I know that 798MHz can't be right. I mean "1.86GHz" is part of the name of the processor. Of course I haven't had an Intel chip since my much-loved PII-400, but I assume this is the actual CPU clock speed. Here's the rest of what CPU-Z reported:

Core: 798.1 MHz
Mult: x6.0
FSB: 133 (shouldn't this be 266? my old Athlon XP runs faster than that!)
Bus Speed: 532.1 MHz

And then on the memory page:
Freq: 199.5 MHz
FSBRAM ratio: 2:3
timings are 3/3/3/9

I thought I understood the interrelationship of all the different timings but this shows me I clearly don't.
But I'll still bet a quarter (pick a state, any state) that something isn't right. Can anyone help me out or at least tell me what these numbers should be for this processor?

 

[EightySix Four]

now, start up a cpu intensive program, and check it again...

and the FSB is 133 x 4 = 533 mhz as it's quad pumped like the P4's

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: soulglow
I've got a similar thing going on so I thought I'd post it here.

Just bought a new Sony Vaio VGN-FS760/W ...first notebook after building desktops for many years. Specs:
Pentium M750 1.86GHz "Dothan" core 533MHz FSB.
512MB PC2-4200 RAM,
Intel i915 chipeset
etc, etc.

Anyway, I thought it seemed a little sluggish so I checked the stats in system information, and it said the CPU was running at 798MHz. Hmmm.
So I fired up CPU-Z, then Sandra, and they both agree: 798.1 MHz.

This is a fresh-out-da-box laptop too...well, mostly. It came with a 512 SODIMM of PC4200 which I popped out and put in 2 sticks of KVR533D2S4/1G for a total of 2GB. I thought maybe this was causing the problem so I put the original 512 stick back in and nothing changed. The Sony BIOS has absolutely no options for bus and clock speeds or multipliers, by the way.

I know that 798MHz can't be right. I mean "1.86GHz" is part of the name of the processor. Of course I haven't had an Intel chip since my much-loved PII-400, but I assume this is the actual CPU clock speed. Here's the rest of what CPU-Z reported:

Core: 798.1 MHz
Mult: x6.0
FSB: 133 (shouldn't this be 266? my old Athlon XP runs faster than that!)
Bus Speed: 532.1 MHz

And then on the memory page:
Freq: 199.5 MHz
FSBRAM ratio: 2:3
timings are 3/3/3/9

I thought I understood the interrelationship of all the different timings but this shows me I clearly don't.
But I'll still bet a quarter (pick a state, any state) that something isn't right. Can anyone help me out or at least tell me what these numbers should be for this processor?

Speedstep will lower teh CPU speed when it's not under load. FSB is quad pumped, your A-XP was double pumped, so they both used a 133mhz FSB..133x2 = 266, 133x4 = 533.

 

[KIAman]

My Dell Precision M70 shows 800Mhz when idle. Jumpts back up to 2.26Ghz during any CPU usage instantly. According to dell, this is normal. Keeps temps low and raises efficiency.

I freaked out too until I noticed everything was running really fast. I called dell just to make sure.

 

[CP5670]

Is there any way to disable this behavior and make it always run at full speed? My Dell laptop's PM normally runs at 1.7ghz but it frequently throttles down to 600mhz in the middle of a game, causing everything to go at like 2fps.

 

[soulglow]

 

[soulglow]

Well, that's actually pretty cool. I never considered that when I was freaking out.

My only other issue now that doesn't make sense is the memory speed reported: 200MHz. PC4200 can run at 266 for a nice easy 266 X2 = 533 FSB, so why wouldn't it?

 

[Marmion]

It is possible to turn off Speedstep - Either disable "Intel Enhanced Speedstep" in the BIOS or change Windows power scheme to Home/Office Desk.

 

[ND40oz]

I use the Centrino Hardware Control and generally when I want it running full speed I change it to max performance. This keeps the cpu from ever clocking itself back down.