Quick question on SpeedStep CPUs

[ianbergman]

Hi there--

does anyone know if its possible to easily tell if you're using an Intel Speedstep CPU? Would the msinfo32 application list it as such, for example? Or Intel's CPUID program? Or the BIOS? Basically, I don't think that my laptop has a SpeedStep P4 in it, and the manufacturer maintains it does, so I'm trying to figure it out one way or the other.

Thanks!

 

[LiLithTecH]

Intel's CPUID is your best bet to decode the ID.

Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility (Windows version)

 

[ianbergman]

Yup, tried that. Didn't really get me anywhere - it didn't say outright that it is a speedstep processor, but it didn't say no either. Also, I couldn't match all of the details to any one processor on Intel's website - for instance, the 512k of L2 cache. Should CPUID actually say somewhere that it is or isn't a speedstep processor?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If you can establish that it's a P4-M that will denote speedstep if it's a desktop version...no speedstep.......also the mobiles evidently do not come with a IHS so physically examining the CPU is most helpful.

 

[ianbergman]

OK, I know it's the desktop version in here, which the manufacturer acknowledges, but they have still been trying to convince me that it has speedstep built in... which seemed odd... so yeah, i'll keep the search up for definitive proof. A physical inspection is probably not possible, as I don't want to void the warranty right now. thanks!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Desktop intel CPUs don't have speedstep, it's a technology reserved for their dedicated mobile processor, here's a excerpt from the anandtech sager laptop review

The processor, being of desktop variety, does not support any of the power saving features implemented in Intel's dedicated mobile chip, the Mobile Pentium 4-M. SpeedStep technology is the main item missing; a technology that gives the Mobile Pentium 4-M processors to dynamically alter its clock speed based on demand. Battery life of the notebook is certainly penalized because of this but the system does get an immense performance boost.

nor did a breif google search show any desktop CPU with speedstep, so I would hazard to say that the manufacturer is pi$$ing down your back and tellin' you it's raining