Phenom iix4 920 using 4x multiplier....help

[Moose3]

I read the sticky talking about intel processors mentioning speed stepping in my forum search, so let me state now:
I DO HAVE 'COOL & QUIET' DISABLED IN BIOS *ahem*

I built the rig below last year, but never did any benchmarking, diagnostics, or overclocking to notice my problem, I just checked that the bios and Windows were showing the correct processor and memory, untill now which is: my cpu has a multiplier locked in at 4x instead of 14x.

cpu: AMD Phenom II X4 920
cpu cooler: tuniq tower 120
MB: ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe (1501 BIOS rev)
Mem: 2x2048 DDR2-1066 PC2-8500 CL5-5-5-15 (G.Skill)
Vid: Radeon HD 4870x2 (Sapphire) (catalyst 10,2)
PS: 700W (SilverStone)
Win7 with high performance power setting

CPU-Z info: AMD Phenom II x4 920
core voltage: 1.056V
core speed: 802.7 MHz
multiplier: x4.0
Bus speed: 200.7 MHz
HT Link: 1806.1

here are some 3d mark vantage scores

3dMark: p5079
gpu score: 6880
cpu score: 2843
cpu test 1: 362.33 plans/s
cpu test 2: 4.55 steps/s

System has never been overclocked (untill current testing), any BIOS cpu/memory settings are default. Built in Feb '09, running approx 55 hrs a week. I have tried changing the clock multiplier in BIOS untill reading this processor has a locked multiplier, also tried raising the core voltage but it stayed the same too. Tried different bios settings, different bios revisions (1501, 1402, 1303): no change (unless the bus speed was increased).

I have also tried the asus AI Booster and Gears tools, and even enabling cool & quiet to see if I could try and get something to change, figuring there might some hidden driver that needed to be installed: still nothing.

Anyone know of something I am missing? Anything I can do to fix this? Any setting on the MB BIOS I missed? If the multiplier is locked on the processor, what could be reducing it? Or do I just have a processor with the multiplier just set wrong and I can't do jack except RMA it?

Only thing left to test is try and borrow or 'buy and return' another processor, though might be hard to get another phenom II x4 (am2+ ver). If it's a MB issue, should this same screwy behavior show up reguardless of the type: AM2, AM2+, AM3, quad or dual cores?

The core voltage not increasing when changed in BIOS does seem a bit odd (I was told stock should be around 1.35V), but would that just be a limiting setting and if the processor does not need the extra, it can step it down?

 

[soccerballtux]

what a noob. disable cool and quiet

 

[soccerballtux]

just kidding. I did read your post.


I don't know. Have you tried setting the multiplier manually? Still reading your post.

 

[Jovec]

I assume you are reading your clock speed while under load right?

Also you've checked the support CPU list for you motherboard at the manufacturer's site?

Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options -> Change plan settings for selected plan -> Change advanced settings -> Processor Power Management -> and check the value for Maximum Processor state (should be 100).

 

[SunnyD]

HT speed reporting low... though that could be just a half-step (non-doubled speed). Is your multiplier artificially set in the BIOS to 4x by chance?

Try this - go into the bios, find the option that says "Load Optimized Defaults" or "Performance Defaults", save and exit. Then check your clock speeds... UNDER LOAD. 800MHz is the default lowest power-state for CnQ, which you say you have disabled, but it makes too much sense.

 

[Jovec]

HT speed reporting low... though that could be just a half-step (non-doubled speed). Is your multiplier artificially set in the BIOS to 4x by chance?

920 and 940 run their Uncore at 1.8GHz (200x9)

 

[Moose3]

@ soccer yes, had it set to 14x manually, no luck
@jovek yes I am checking it under load with sandra cpu burn in tests and the board supports this processor. I actually chose the combination based on the recommendations of this site a year ago in one of their builder articles if I'm remembering correctly. Also, my processor power management only shows: System cooling policy: active/passive
@SunnyD again, the multiplier is supposedly licked to x14 in normal 920's but the MB only supports going down to x8 as the lowest selectable multiplier, and yes i believe i have set optimum defaults, also tried preset OC profiles, 5% increased the FSB and speeds accordingly, 10% locked the comp up at boot.

 

[Darkrage]

are your mobs bio's up to date?

never mind I just saw you tried different bio versions...

 

[Jovec]

Also, my processor power management only shows: System cooling policy: active/passive

You don't see Minimum processor state and Maximum processor state? Try restoring the plan's default settings.

Try the balanced plan.

Enable CnQ and double check if Min/Max are now available in the power plans, then check if the Max is 100%

Try C1E (or AMD Software C1E) off.

 

[Moose3]

Min/Max settings only appeared when I enabled cool n quiet, max was at 100, even set min at 100, no change when I ran sandra processor burn-in's.

 

[Jovec]

Last things I would try would be to either boot an Ubuntu Live CD or reinstall windows on a separate HD (if you have one) and check CPU speed there. This would at least eliminate it being a software/OS issue.

You might have to do some real hardware swapping. Borrow another AMD cpu to try with your mobo. Try your 920 in another mobo, etc.

Reset bios settings to default, shut off the full-screen boot logo so you can see the post info, and make sure your 920 is being properly identified at post. Shut off C1E if you have the option. Make sure your CPU-NB setting is equal to or greater than your HT link (both should be stock at 1800/9x200 for that CPU IIRC, but you cannot run your CPU-NB slower than your HT link and the bios might not be adjusting it properly). Run your RAM at x4/400/800 instead of x5.33/533/1066.

 

[deimos3428]

my cpu has a multiplier locked in at 4x instead of 14x.

The multiplier is wrong on a locked-multiplier CPU, and the default core voltage is incorrect as well. Sounds like the 920 isn't being detected 100% properly. Try updating your BIOS to the latest version.

Scratch that, you're at the newest.

Not much help, but this guy had a similar issue with a 945 (also locked multi):
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/263354-28-processor-running-800mhz-3ghz

I'd bring it to ASUS' attention and either RMA it (or get them to release a BIOS fix). You might try a slightly older BIOS version to see if it's a bug introduced in 1501.

 

[Moose3]

tried the 3 most recent ones, and the 4 oldest ones I could try (would not allow a bios used earlier than the mfg date on the board)

Tried another processor, Sempron 140 (least restocking fee when returned), and this also was locked in at an x4 multiplier. CPU-Z confirmed 800Mhz under load and 4x multiplier with prime 95. So it appears to be the board, will RMA it. I'll repost when the replacement board comes in.

Thanks for the ideas and help.