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Athlon 3400+ underclocked at 1.8Ghz...safe to 2.2ghz?

H

Haberdasher

Member
Hi all,

I just had a computer built for me by a local computer store, and it's been running like a dream...it's my first Windows computer, and I've made sure to keep it in tip-top shape as well as get some great gaming sessions out of it. While I'm not a tech guru, I am aware of some things going on in my computer...one of which surprised me. Windows rates my processor at 1.8 Ghz, but I know that my (Clawhammer? Newcastle? Not sure) 3400+ is factory rated at 2.2 Ghz.

I read up on why this might be, and apparently this is a result of the FSB on the motherboard not being set high enough to allow the 2.2 Ghz processor speed...all I'd need to do is change a BIOS setting, and it'd work at regular speed. My questions are these...

1.) Am I correct so far? This processor is able to run at 2.2 without overclocking?
2.) Would the guys who built my computer intentionally set it down so that the processor doesn't overheat, or is this simply an oversight?
3.) If this is an oversight, how do I clock the processor up? (adjust the BIOS, etc.)
4.) If this isn't an oversight and it'd be a heat/whatever issue, how would I get up to standard speed (how do I solve cooling/whatever problems)?

Thanks in advance for any help!
 
1. A64's should default to 200mhz FSB. Sounds to me like your multiplier is set wrong. If it's set to auto, this means they gave you the wrong chip. A 2800+ is rated at 1.8ghz with 512k cache. A 3400+ is either 2.2ghz with 1meg cache or 2.4ghz with 512k cache. Download CPU-Z and see what it says about your proc.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
 
Originally posted by: Lithan
1. A64's should default to 200mhz FSB. Sounds to me like your multiplier is set wrong. If it's set to auto, this means they gave you the wrong chip. A 2800+ is rated at 1.8ghz with 512k cache. A 3400+ is either 2.2ghz with 1meg cache or 2.4ghz with 512k cache. Download CPU-Z and see what it says about your proc.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
Click to expand...

Actually, instead of downloading CPU-Z (if this is effectively the same thing,) I just looked at the BIOS and the factory setting was for 2.4 Ghz, so I must have the 512k cache version. Right now the operating speed is set to "User Define," multiplier is set to x9. Also, the FSB is running at 200mhz (204)
 
Multiplier should be at 12x then.

I can't imagine them intentionally setting it down to 1.8ghz. That would defeat the purpose of spending (quite a bit more) for a 3400+ over a 2800+.
Heat shouldn't be a problem as long as you have the amd stock heatsink or a similar or better replacement.
 
What about Cool 'n Quiet software? This automatically downclocks speed and voltage based on your CPU usage. As it rises you get back up to defaults... See if that is running bro!
 
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