Dual Core and Cool and Quiet (Opteron?)

[Madellga]

Hi,

I am coming from a San Diego and I had CnQ activated.

Since I installed the Opteron I can't get it to work (CnQ), even at stock/default.

Yes, I enabled CnQ on the bios, left the multipliers on auto and installed the latest driver for the CPU from AMD. And also set the power setttings to minimum on power options.

But CnQ doesn't work on Win XP Pro SP2 with my Opteron 170 (at least I can't make it happen).

I remember I had to do the same on the San Diego and there was also a Cool and Quiet driver referenced on AMD's website in the past. As I just can't find it on the Opteron section, I assume it is integrated on the CPU driver.

Did any Dual Core owners (X2 or Opteron) have the same experience?

I saw on AMD's website a feature called PowerNow. Has AMD's given a new name to CnQ?

 

[jazzboy]

I remember CnQ being pretty buggy on my setup too.

I can't think of anything you haven't tried. Although have you tried using CPU-Z to see if its functioning?

If it actually isn't working then try using RM Clock for CnQ as thats what I use and it works great.

 

[Madellga]

yes, I am using CPU-z 1.31 to check it.

What's RM Clock? Link?

Thanks for the help !!

 

[jazzboy]

Here you go

And its the 5th one down.

When you use it you should go back to selecting Home/Office under Power Options in control panel, to avoid conflicts with the AMD driver possibly trying to still do its own CnQ.

Edit: forgot to say RM Clock basically does the same job. But you can manually control which multipliers and voltages (VID) are used. It should work ok with your opteron.

 

[WouterK]

Was told by AMD that the 939 Opteron's support Cool and Quiet (=Power Now), but that it may requre BIOS updates as the PSS are fewer (2 only) than compared to the Athlon 64 line.

I have written to DFI to check if they are aware of it.

 

[Madellga]

Strange is that I am running on the new mobo DFI NF4 expert. Bios date is 11/02, just 3 weeks ago. It is supposed to be new enough.

The CPU is correctly recognized during the boot.

Keep me informed also

 

[Madellga]

I was reading some threads at AMD Forums.

It seems the problem is very common and most people are not able to run Cool'n'Quiet or Powernow! with dual cores (X2 or Opterons)

It is likely to be a driver problem. I am looking for some workarounds. I will try later the RM Clock as posted by Jazzboy.

 

[mamisano]

Same issue here, Opty 165 in my DFI Infinity Ultra - no CNQ. Bios is dated mid-October, and correcly identifies the CPU.

I am downloading CrystalCPUID from here: http://crystalmark.info/?lang=en - Works like RM clock, but I like it better. Check it out as an alternative, also have an x64 version

 

[VStrom]

If you are OC'ing (I'm assuming most who bought the Opteron are) you don't want to run CNQ anyway.

 

[Madellga]

I have some o/c on the Opteron. But why do you say that?

I had CnQ enabled with my San Diego (o/c to 2.7GHz) and it worked 100%. No issues.

If CnQ works without issues, why not use it? I only need the power when computer is under 100% load. When it is not, why not save energy and spare the CPU?

 

[Madellga]

Originally posted by: mamisano
Same issue here, Opty 165 in my DFI Infinity Ultra - no CNQ. Bios is dated mid-October, and correcly identifies the CPU.

I am downloading CrystalCPUID from here: http://crystalmark.info/?lang=en - Works like RM clock, but I like it better. Check it out as an alternative, also have an x64 version

Thanks also, downloaded, will try later :thumbsup:

Does it know the CPU states (multi, volts) for the X2 / Opterons or do we have to "teach" it?

I mean, just run and use or requires tweaking?

 

[MDE]

CnQ works fine on my X2 3800+, make sure you have CnQ enabled in the BIOS, the AMD driver installed, and your power profile set to Minimal Power Management in Windows.

 

[VStrom]

Originally posted by: Madellga
I have some o/c on the Opteron. But why do you say that?

I had CnQ enabled with my San Diego (o/c to 2.7GHz) and it worked 100%. No issues.

If CnQ works without issues, why not use it? I only need the power when computer is under 100% load. When it is not, why not save energy and spare the CPU?

It can interfere with the OC. If it is getting too hot, the CPU will in effect slow down to cool things off. You can use it if you want...if it ain't broke don't fix it I guess but I would fret about it not being available. If your cooling is good it's a redundancy anyway.

 

[Madellga]

Originally posted by: MDE
CnQ works fine on my X2 3800+, make sure you have CnQ enabled in the BIOS, the AMD driver installed, and your power profile set to Minimal Power Management in Windows.

Thanks for the tips, but I tried it already. Its in my first post.

 

[Madellga]

Originally posted by: VStrom

It can interfere with the OC. If it is getting too hot, the CPU will in effect slow down to cool things off. You can use it if you want...if it ain't broke don't fix it I guess but I would fret about it not being available. If your cooling is good it's a redundancy anyway.

You are right about me complaining for the CnQ not working "o/c" condition.

The issue is that it doesn't work also on stock condition. That I would call an issue.

And reading the AMD support forums there is plenty of people with X2 or Opterons not able to. There are some "driver hacking" to be tried, but I will go the Crystall or RM way.

 

[Ryland]

Is there anything that has to be installed in windows to get CnQ to work? I have it enabled in the bios but I don't see anything in windows to play with it.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Ryland
Is there anything that has to be installed in windows to get CnQ to work? I have it enabled in the bios but I don't see anything in windows to play with it.

The AMD CPU driver and set your power management profile to Minimal Power Management.

 

[WouterK]

 

[WouterK]

My X2 4400 ran fine with Cool&Quiet enabled. Replacing it with Opteron 170 made it fail as the DFI BIOS doesn't support Opteron's (PSS power states) properly.

Per AMD a BIOS fix should fix it.

 

[MoogerFooger]

Erm.. Since I also installed x2 3800+ recently, how would I know if C&Q actually works? My CPU temperatures seem alright, 30-32 idle, 40-42 under workload.

 

[Madellga]

CnQ reduces the processor clock speed and voltage while iddle.

All processors will be cooler while iddle - even without CnQ. To check yours, use CPU-Z and look at the processor clock. If it is always stuck at the default speed (without any software running), CnQ is not working.

 

[Madellga]

Bump!!

Did anyone have success on using CnQ with Opterons dual core?

I'm still not able to. I am using RmClock.

As I have to format and reinstall WinXp soon, I will have the chance to try a clean system with barebone drivers (and latest bios). I that doesn't work, I will give up.

BTW, I know how to use CnQ - my second rig has a 3700+ SD running with CnQ enabled.

 

[Madellga]

I have suceeded on using CnQ on the Opteron.

I had the original shipping bios on my mobo. I flashed today to the last one and bingo!!

CnQ working out of the box. I didn't change or installed anything except the BIOS.

I can confirm that:

1) CnQ works for Opteron 170 on a DFI Expert Board with bios from 07/12/2005
2) CnQ works for Opteron also in overclocked mode - just leave everything on Auto.
I have VCore volt on auto+4%. Of course, you need overclock to a speed where your CPU can work on the max multiplier.

This is what I wanted: moderated overclock (2500) with minimum add. voltage(only 0,05V) and CnQ for saving energy when not underload.

 

[tvdang7]

i cant get mine to work! opteron 146 here. used to work with my venice!