Acer Aspire 8942g CPU Upgrade General Guide

Hey Guys

So after many weeks of searching and searching i found the right cpu along with the perfect thermal compound and proceeded to upgrade.

My old specs: i3 330m 2.13ghz
My new specs: i7 820qm ES with Shin Etsu X23

I already had 8 GB of DD3 1333 ram in the machine that was downlocked automatical to 1066 due to the i3 cpu. Now with the i7 i can take the full advantage of my ram as well as 1333.

With this guide you do not have to dissasamble the whole machine !!! Only take the back cover off as if you wanted to plug in another HD or more Ram ! I was so glad to notice this, when I bought this machine as my old HP was not that upgrade friendly !

The steps were as follows:

1. Take the cover off by unscrewing mutliple screws on the back side of the laptop:



2. Unscrew the Heatsink "make sure you go by the numbers on your laptop which screw goes up first"



3. Turn the lock to unlock position

See image above for general idea.

4. Lift the heatsink and carefully remove old cpu "remember the position at which the original cpu came out because the new cpu will go in in the same position" (eg. watch the tringle in one of the corner)

See image above for general idea.

5. Put thermal paste on the new cpu "I used the line method as suggested by kizwan that is I applied a line of Shin Etsu across the middle of the cpu" The heatsink will do the spreading.



6. Punch the cpu in the socket (again make sure it is alligned the same way the old cpu was sitting in the socket and gently push the cpu in). Turn the cpu lock to lock position. Then screw the heatsink back following the same method on the screws as to which goes in first.
7. Put the back cover back on !

Good luck and I take no resposibility for any problems as usual.
Initial Thoughts and Results (GPU ATI 5650)

• Old i3 Idle Values : CPU 29 - 32, Thermal Sensor 31, Assembly 31
• New i7 Idle Values : CPU 39 - 43, Thermal Sensor 40 - 43, Assembly 34 - 35, GPU 39 - 40
• New i7 Under Load : CPU 72 - 73, Thermal Sensor 72, Assembly 38, GPU 73 - 73.5 (OCed to 725/1000)
• Prime95 Stress : CPU 70 - 73 , Thermal Sensor 71
• Prime95 and GPU Stress: CPU 82 - 83, GPU 79 - 80 (This is worse case scenario and GPU was overclocked to 720/1000)
• 2 Hours in Crysis 2 : CPU 72 - 73, GPU 73
• 2 Hours in Skyrim : CPU 72 - 74, GPU 70

Also here are the before and after WEI scores :




And 3Dmark06 Comparison between i3 330m and i7 820qm

I3 330M 2.13Ghz CPU Stock


I7 820QM 1.73Ghz/3.06Ghz CPU Stock


I7 820QM 1.73Ghz/3.06Ghz CPU GPU OCed 725/1000


Note : all temps are in degrees celsius !

All the best !

 

Wow, thank you!
This is a fine guide.

All the best to you :yes:

 

Thanks for posting this guide, I have a question, how did you take off the heatsink without removing the fan? just curious.

 

Hi ellalan

All I had to do is unscrew the 4 bolts then you can just lift it up high enough to swap the CPUs on that end. No need to take it apart or remove the whole heatsink

Hey searcher

I'm glad it helped, I will post more benchmarks in terms of temperatures later this week ! You gotta show me how to work that fan adjusting software though I'd like to increase the fan activity to counter the new higher temps

All the best to you too !

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...42g-core-i7-owners-lounge-42.html#post8056894

Cheers

 

Hi ^nox,

If HWMonitor read i3-330M TJMax (90C), this means the i7 CPU temperatures are 10C low. Which means correct temps are:-

• Old i3 Idle Values : CPU 28 - 31, Thermal Sensor 31, Assembly 31 (degrees celsius)
• New i7 Idle Values : CPU 34 - 40, Thermal Sensor 35 - 38, Assembly 34 - 35, GPU 36 - 38.5
• New i7 Under Load : CPU 72 - 73, Thermal Sensor 72, Assembly 38, GPU 73 - 73.5 (OCed to 725/1000)
• Prime95 Stress : CPU 83 - 85, Thermal Sensor 84
• Prime95 and GPU Stress: CPU 92 - 93, GPU 79 - 80 (This is worse case scenario and GPU was overclocked to 720/1000)
• 2 Hours in Crysis 2 : CPU 72 - 73, GPU 73

I think your i7-820QM idle temp will around 35C to 40C at best (my i7-720QM can idle around 40C to 44C at best, on hotter day 47C to 49C). When during gaming 70C to 78C are what I expected from you (my i7-720QM when gaming also around the same). Remember, the X23 still curing, around 100 hours if I'm not mistaken. So, you don't get optimum result yet. In my opinion, I think the result you already get right now already good.

 

Thanks abunch i am adjusting my thread as we speak !

 

I have done prime95 Small FFTs test before but this is fresh one, running today. This is screenshot after 35minutes running prime95 Small FFTs test (it still running). Room temperature 30C - 32C.



This is after 2 hours (while running prime95, I use the computer; replying email, downloading & reading PDF files; so temps spiked a little bit):-



BTW, according to Intel Core i3-300 mobile processor series specification update, i3-330M LFM frequency is 933MHz (TDP at 35W) which means it should idle at 933MHz. ( i7 quad core: http://download.intel.com/design/processor/datashts/320765.pdf ) i7-820QM LFM frequency is 1.2GHz (TDP at 35W) which means it should idle at 1.2GHz. i7-720QM LFM frequency is 933MHz (TDP at 35W) which means it should idle at 933MHz. So, comparing yours & mine (i7-720QM), I think your result is OK considering it idle at 1.2GHz.

 

That looks pretty good ! Considering the room temperature is 30 - 32 C !!!! Here it is about 20 C so thats probably why i am seeing lower temps.

I jsut finished playing Crysis 2 for about an hour and i noticed micro stuttering in sound im nto sure if this is temperature related or driver related. I might reinstall my OS just to be sure , have you experienced anythign liek that ? Btw my CPU maxed at 75 C and GPU at 76 C.

 

I don't have Crysis 2, so I can't comment on that but micro stuttering doesn't look like it's temperature related. Probably your graphic/video settings are too high. Crysis 2 should utilized all 4 cores. Did you see any improvement on the gameplay experience? I played Bad Company 2 & Left 4 Dead 2, I got the same CPU temp 75C. If I'm not mistaken both also utilize all 4 cores.

 

Hello ^ nox,

your CPU temperatures are all perfectly normal and ok!
Your CPU is cool.

greetings from germany :wink:

 

Hahaha thanks guys ! Yes crysis 2 utilizes all 4 cores, performance definetelly improved but more than that I can finally use fraps to record with minimal fps loss ! Tomorrow I will run more tests but so far everything is ok ! Also witcher 2 got a nice fps boost and on Friday I will get Skyrim

I will do some rendering soon once I get rid of the micro stutters and report back on if there was an improvement as well.

So far max temp reached when CPU and GPU was under load was CPU : 75 GPU : 76. GPU was over locked to 725/1000. With the old i3 the GPU would reach around 70 - 71 so it's not too crazy of an increase

 

Hello ^ nox,

with an SSD drive many games will run much smoother.
The magnetic hard disk is always the weakest hardware!
I will never again without a SSD hard drive.

An SSD fits perfectly with the strong i7.

Where did you get your new i7 CPU from?
Do you have a link for us?

greetings from germany :yes:

 

Hi Searcher

I got my CPU from eBay you should check there !

I am looking into new HD maye SSD but might have to wait a bit what do you think about the Seagate Hibrid drive 7200rpm plus 4gb Ssd ? They would fit my budget

 

Hello ^ nox,

better buy yourself a pure SSD - hard drive - much more speed!
Windows and the programs or games should always be installed on the SSD hard drive.
You can use your large magnetic disk as a second hard drive for photos, videos and images.

This SSD is highly recommended:

Crucial 128 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT128M4SSD2

Do not forget the hard drive frame to buy!

HDD Bracket Aspire 8940G Serie

and the screws!

2x M3 and 2x M2 machine screws short.

How much did you pay for your new CPU?

greetings from germany :yes:

 

Thanks for the info !!!! I payed 135 dollars for the CPU pretty good price I think, system is soo much more responsive ! the thermal compound seems to be very good but I have nothing to comparing to at the moment

I'm totally buying that bracket been searching for it for months

Thanks again now onto modding my fan for better temps, could you give me a step by step how to ru nthat software ? I downloaded the utility and your ini ? Installed the software now what do i do next with your ini ? Thanks Searcher

Actually would you be able to make an ini that would decrease temperatures even more ? In idle ?

 

Nevermind i figured out how to put your config in Man it knocked off about 5 degrees after running prime95 for 2 hours in small FFT's. See screenshot. THis is awesome.



But still i dont care about noise, Searcher would you be able to create a ini that can cool idle temps even more ? Thanks a bunch !

 

To Kizwan

I am curious is there any benefit of trying to install the modded BIOS ? I mean in terms of performance increase or lower temperatures ? I dont plan on overclocking the cpu , i am jsut curious if it is worth it or not .

All the best !

 

Hi ^nox,

searcher? has take pictures of the unlocked hidden menus. You can take a look & decide whether you want it or not. Remember, you don't have to use the modified BIOS unless you want it. Here is the pictures:-
ASPIRE_8942G_BIOS_MODS.rar

What doesn't work are:-
- Bus Speed Override
- CPU VID Support
- FAN trip point (except passive & critical trip point)

With this BIOS, you can change ("Extreme Edition" menu) TDP/TDC limits & also core ratio limits. However, you need to have extreme edition processor, e.g. i7-920XM to utilized it.

 

Great ! Thanks for the Info Kizwan !

 

Jump in to this thread:

Fan control utility - optimized ini for an Acer Aspire 8942G Core i5 and i7!

I've attached a picture there.
(If you want to customize your. Ini file ...)

Cheers

 

Thanks searcher? ! This was very usefull !

Update

Few more notes with searchers ini engaged in the ACfancontrol, i gamed for about 3 hours last night Witcher 2, max cpu temperature was 71 degrees and maximum gpu temperature was 71.5 degrees !

Also here are the before and after WEI scores :

 

Hello ^nox,

you need a SSD.
The SSD brings the most

My Index:



Your temperatures are at play absolutely fine.

Cheers

 

That is a sick score I gotta get one hahaha

 

I played Bad Company 2 the other day. This is what I got:-

 

Kizwan

Those are great results , muh below 80 which I think is a very safe temperature range ! I wish my hardware monitor showed me all this info like CPU load and such I've been busy playing Skyrim katelly so I haven't been much around. Skyrim uses only 2 cores so my max CPU temperature after hours of playing was around 67 and my GPU max was 72 but mostly averaging at 69. It sure isn't as demanding as crysis 2

All the best

 

I'm using "Open Hardware Monitor". CPUID Hardware Monitor (HWMonitor) only show little information.

 

Hello,

it is mostly an advantage, if one CPU core is rapidly alone.
Possibly the i7 820QM at Skyrim is as fast as the i5 450M.
For Skyrim there might be a patch which all CPUs are better utilized ...
Then the i7 820QM will do much more to performance in Skyrim.


The maximum possible CPU for the Acer 8942G is the

Intel ® Core ™ i7 Processor 940XM 2.13GHz/8m/1333.
Overclocking should be possible?

I think there needs a larger power supply then.
The heat might be too high.

What do you think?

HWiNFO/32/64 Tools Professional System Information and Diagnostics

This tool shows you the Acer 8942G everything (even the temperatures)
It's free.

greetings from germany :yes:

Comparison of mobile processors

 

Thank you Searcher

Again lots of usefull information there.

I believe the 940xm has been sucessfully placed in the 8942g but as i recall a power supply of 150 W might be needed for stability. I am not sure about the heat this cpu produces i think in the 8942g thread there wasa discussion about it earlier.

best regards,

 

Thanks kizwan much better but still doesnt show temperature of my gpu damit hahah

 

Post here the Skyrim prefs.ini and I'll put one there, that all CPUs are used!
(User "your username" Documents \ My Games \ Skyrim \ SkyrimPrefs.ini)

Cheers

 

haha Thanks here it is i did tweak the shadows a bit to my liking

Spoiler

[General]
fBrightLightColorB=1.0000
fBrightLightColorG=1.0000
fBrightLightColorR=1.0000
iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=-1
bEnableStoryManagerLogging=0
[Imagespace]
bDoDepthOfField=1
iRadialBlurLevel=2
[Display]
iBlurDeferredShadowMask=3
fInteriorShadowDistance=3000.0000
fShadowDistance=4000.0000
iShadowMapResolutionSecondary=4096
iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=4096
iShadowSplitCount=2
iMaxAnisotropy=1
fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=4600.0000
fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=3600.0000
fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=3600.0000
fGamma=1.0000
fDecalLOD2=1500.0000
fDecalLOD1=1000.0000
fSpecularLODStartFade=2000.0000
fShadowLODStartFade=200.0000
fLightLODStartFade=3500.0000
iTexMipMapMinimum=0
iTexMipMapSkip=0
iWaterMultiSamples=0
iMultiSample=1
iShadowMode=3
bTreesReceiveShadows=0
bDrawLandShadows=0
bFull Screen=1
iSize H=1080
iSize W=1920
fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=1.2000
fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=256.0000
fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=2048.0000
fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=2844.0000
fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=10000000.0000
fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=10000000.0000
iScreenShotIndex=2
bShadowMaskZPrepass=0
bMainZPrepass=0
iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=25
iMaxDecalsPerFrame=100
bFloatPointRenderTarget=0
iPresentInterval=0
sD3DDevice="AMD Radeon HD 6500M/5600/5700 Series"
bFXAAEnabled=0
iShadowMapResolution=2048
fShadowBiasScale=1.0
iShadowMaskQuarter=4
iAdapter=0
iShadowFilter=3
bTransparencyMultisampling=0
bDrawShadows=1
[Grass]
b30GrassVS=1
fGrassStartFadeDistance=7000.0000
fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=7000.0000
fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=0.0000
[MAIN]
bGamepadEnable=1
bCrosshairEnabled=1
fHUDOpacity=1.0000
bSaveOnPause=1
bSaveOnTravel=1
bSaveOnWait=1
bSaveOnRest=1
fSkyCellRefFadeDistance=150000.0000
[GamePlay]
bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=1
bShowQuestMarkers=1
iDifficulty=2
[Interface]
bDialogueSubtitles=0
bGeneralSubtitles=0
bShowCompass=1
[Controls]
fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=1.0000
fMouseHeadingSensitivity=0.0260
bAlwaysRunByDefault=1
bInvertYValues=0
bGamePadRumble=1
bMouseAcceleration=0
[Particles]
iMaxDesired=750
[SaveGame]
fAutosaveEveryXMins=15.0000
[AudioMenu]
fAudioMasterVolume=1.0000
fVal7=1.0000
uID7=0
fVal6=1.0000
uID6=0
fVal5=1.0000
uID5=0
fVal4=1.0000
uID4=0
fVal3=1.0000
uID3=94881
fVal2=0.4000
uID2=466532
fVal1=1.0000
uID1=554685
fVal0=0.8000
uID0=1007612
[Clouds]
fCloudLevel2Distance=262144.0000
fCloudLevel1Distance=32768.0000
fCloudLevel0Distance=16384.0000
fCloudNearFadeDistance=9000.0000
[TerrainManager]
fTreeLoadDistance=75000.0000
fBlockMaximumDistance=250000.0000
fBlockLevel1Distance=70000.0000
fBlockLevel0Distance=35000.0000
fSplitDistanceMult=1.5000
bShowLODInEditor=0
[NavMesh]
fObstacleAlpha=0.5000
fCoverSideHighAlpha=0.8000
fCoverSideLowAlpha=0.6500
fEdgeFullAlpha=1.0000
fEdgeHighAlpha=0.7500
fEdgeLowAlpha=0.5000
fTriangleFullAlpha=0.7000
fTriangleHighAlpha=0.3500
fTriangleLowAlpha=0.2000
fLedgeBoxHalfHeight=25.0000
fEdgeDistFromVert=10.0000
fEdgeThickness=10.0000
fPointSize=2.5000
[Trees]
bRenderSkinnedTrees=1
uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=20
[Decals]
uMaxDecals=1000
bDecals=1
bSkinnedDecals=1
uMaxSkinDecals=100
uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor=60
[LOD]
fLODFadeOutMultObjects=15.0000
fLODFadeOutMultItems=15.0000
fLODFadeOutMultActors=15.0000
fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell=1.0000
[Launcher]
bEnableFileSelection=1
bShowAllResolutions=1
uLastAspectRatio=3
[BlurShaderHDR]
bDoHighDynamicRange=1
[BlurShader]
bUseBlurShader=0
[Water]
iWaterReflectHeight=512
iWaterReflectWidth=512
bUseWaterDisplacements=1
bUseWaterRefractions=1
bUseWaterReflections=1
bUseWaterDepth=1

 

SkyrimPrefs.ini

Spoiler

[General]
iNumHWThreads=4
fBrightLightColorB=1.0000
fBrightLightColorG=1.0000
fBrightLightColorR=1.0000
iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=-1
bEnableStoryManagerLogging=0
[Imagespace]
bDoDepthOfField=1
iRadialBlurLevel=2
[Display]
iBlurDeferredShadowMask=3
fInteriorShadowDistance=3000.0000
fShadowDistance=4000.0000
iShadowMapResolutionSecondary=4096
iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=4096
iShadowSplitCount=2
iMaxAnisotropy=1
fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=4600.0000
fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=3600.0000
fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=3600.0000
fGamma=1.0000
fDecalLOD2=1500.0000
fDecalLOD1=1000.0000
fSpecularLODStartFade=2000.0000
fShadowLODStartFade=200.0000
fLightLODStartFade=3500.0000
iTexMipMapMinimum=0
iTexMipMapSkip=0
iWaterMultiSamples=0
iMultiSample=1
iShadowMode=3
bTreesReceiveShadows=0
bDrawLandShadows=0
bFull Screen=1
iSize H=1080
iSize W=1920
fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=1.2000
fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=256.0000
fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=2048.0000
fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=2844.0000
fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=10000000.0000
fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=10000000.0000
iScreenShotIndex=2
bShadowMaskZPrepass=0
bMainZPrepass=0
iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=25
iMaxDecalsPerFrame=100
bFloatPointRenderTarget=0
iPresentInterval=0
sD3DDevice="AMD Radeon HD 6500M/5600/5700 Series"
bFXAAEnabled=0
iShadowMapResolution=2048
fShadowBiasScale=1.0
iShadowMaskQuarter=4
iAdapter=0
iShadowFilter=3
bTransparencyMultisampling=0
bDrawShadows=1
[Grass]
b30GrassVS=1
fGrassStartFadeDistance=7000.0000
fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=7000.0000
fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=0.0000
[MAIN]
bGamepadEnable=1
bCrosshairEnabled=1
fHUDOpacity=1.0000
bSaveOnPause=1
bSaveOnTravel=1
bSaveOnWait=1
bSaveOnRest=1
fSkyCellRefFadeDistance=150000.0000
[GamePlay]
bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=1
bShowQuestMarkers=1
iDifficulty=2
[Interface]
bDialogueSubtitles=0
bGeneralSubtitles=0
bShowCompass=1
[Controls]
fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=1.0000
fMouseHeadingSensitivity=0.0260
bAlwaysRunByDefault=1
bInvertYValues=0
bGamePadRumble=1
bMouseAcceleration=0
[Particles]
iMaxDesired=750
[SaveGame]
fAutosaveEveryXMins=15.0000
[AudioMenu]
fAudioMasterVolume=1.0000
fVal7=1.0000
uID7=0
fVal6=1.0000
uID6=0
fVal5=1.0000
uID5=0
fVal4=1.0000
uID4=0
fVal3=1.0000
uID3=94881
fVal2=0.4000
uID2=466532
fVal1=1.0000
uID1=554685
fVal0=0.8000
uID0=1007612
[Clouds]
fCloudLevel2Distance=262144.0000
fCloudLevel1Distance=32768.0000
fCloudLevel0Distance=16384.0000
fCloudNearFadeDistance=9000.0000
[TerrainManager]
fTreeLoadDistance=75000.0000
fBlockMaximumDistance=250000.0000
fBlockLevel1Distance=70000.0000
fBlockLevel0Distance=35000.0000
fSplitDistanceMult=1.5000
bShowLODInEditor=0
[NavMesh]
fObstacleAlpha=0.5000
fCoverSideHighAlpha=0.8000
fCoverSideLowAlpha=0.6500
fEdgeFullAlpha=1.0000
fEdgeHighAlpha=0.7500
fEdgeLowAlpha=0.5000
fTriangleFullAlpha=0.7000
fTriangleHighAlpha=0.3500
fTriangleLowAlpha=0.2000
fLedgeBoxHalfHeight=25.0000
fEdgeDistFromVert=10.0000
fEdgeThickness=10.0000
fPointSize=2.5000
[Trees]
bRenderSkinnedTrees=1
uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=20
[Decals]
uMaxDecals=1000
bDecals=1
bSkinnedDecals=1
uMaxSkinDecals=100
uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor=60
[LOD]
fLODFadeOutMultObjects=15.0000
fLODFadeOutMultItems=15.0000
fLODFadeOutMultActors=15.0000
fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell=1.0000
[Launcher]
bEnableFileSelection=1
bShowAllResolutions=1
uLastAspectRatio=3
[BlurShaderHDR]
bDoHighDynamicRange=1
[BlurShader]
bUseBlurShader=0
[Water]
iWaterReflectHeight=512
iWaterReflectWidth=512
bUseWaterDisplacements=1
bUseWaterRefractions=1
bUseWaterReflections=1
bUseWaterDepth=1

Cheers

 

Show Skyrim.ini here and I will one find that your memory is fully used!
(User "your username" Documents \ My Games \ Skyrim \ Skyrim.ini)

I need also your

SkyrimLauncher.exe

&

TESV.exe

from the installation directory!
________________________________

Here are my settings yet:














The game looks very nice with it and running smoothly!

Why have you not bought an i7-840QM?
Too expensive?

Cheers

 

Hi Searcher

I will upload those files soon, thanks for the tips so far...


I do have a bigger inquiry though for you or Kizwan. I have just noticed that when i run prime95 to test my cpu my cpu only runs at 1.73ghz on all 4 cores it never actually reaches its maximum turbo speed of 3.066.

I have also tested games liek crysis 2 and bf3 and similar result occurs the maximum speed i have ever seen reported by intel turbo boost monitor gadget was 2.93 for a split second but mostly the speed is hovering around 2.33 ghz. Is this normal ? Why isnt the cpu just running at the maximum speed ?

Thanks guys !

 

Please do not share any game files (apart from ini or other configuration files) on the forum.
Thank you.

 

Ok, no problem.
We will exchange information about the e-mail ...

@ ^ nox,
You have PM

Cheers

 

Thanks for the tip, we will do so in a different way so ti doesnt interfeer with hthe forum rules.

 

Ok, I just noticed that the exe files are too big for my e-mail account ...
I write a tutorial ...

Is also better for the forum
_________________________

You just have to patch the exe files with the CFF Explorer and set this in the file:


Click on image to enlarge!



Please always do from all ini and exe files a backup!

Good luck ...

Hm
This is a question for kizwan

 

Because it is running on all 4 cores, it will only Turbo Boost to ~2.00 GHz. This is how we roughly calculate the CPU frequency.

Core i7-820QM:-
Turbo Ratio 2/2/8/10

• First number is multiply with 133.33 MHz when four cores are active
• Second number is multiply with 133.33MHz when three cores are active
• Third number is multiply with 133.33MHz when two cores are active
• Fourth number is multiply with 133.33MHz when one core is active

Normal operating frequency is 1.73 GHz (1730 MHz)

• With 3 or 4 cores active: ~2.00 GHz --> 1730 + 2 x 133.33 = 1730 + 266.66 ≃ 1996.66
• With 2 cores active: ~2.80 GHz --> 1730 + 8 x 133.33 = 1730 + 1066.64 ≃ 2796.64
• With only 1 core active: ~3.06 GHz --> 1730 + 10 x 133.33 = 1730 + 1333.3 ≃ 3063.3

It will only Turbo Boost to ~3.06 GHz when only one core active. All other cores must inactive for this to happen. In real world, this is not easy to achieved unless we set processor affinity.

 

Kizwan,

Thank so much for all the nfo you provide ! I have actually run a benchmark in prime95 and i saw the core go as high as 3.035 ghz which is still less than 3.06 ghz. Then I re-run the test with more application open and i only reached about 2.89ghz. So if i am not mistaken since other cores are in use by the other applications in background like steam, hwinfo, realtemp etc etc i cannot ever achive the maximum turbo frequency ?

Does this makes sense.

BTW I rerun prime95 64bit in small ffts with gpu overclocked to 700/1000 , 2hours max temp 69/70/70/70. So far shin etsu is doing great !

All the best !

 

Turbo Boost is limited by:-
- Max TDP
- current
- thermal
- number of active cores

If all the above within the limits, Turbo Boost will kick in - frequency increase according to demand. If even one of them reached limit, frequency will decrease until they back within limits again. i7-820QM will able to Turbo Boost to 3.06 GHz if you're running single-core application. However, any of the four limits are easily reached, so you will not see it Turbo Boost to the highest frequency regularly. Sandy Bridge processor much better where it can Turbo Boost with two cores indefinitely.

Processor frequency change very fast, monitoring software can't keep up. At the time it reported 3.03 GHz, processor might not running in that frequency anymore.

 

Again - Very informative ! Thank you so very much, as much as i can see my turbo is kicking in just fine it just doesnt hit the 3.06 mark on a regular basis...

So in conclusion i dont think there is anythign wrong on my end then? As far as i know my thermal is fine , tdp should also be fine , so i guess there just isnt a demand to hit 3.06 .

This is the maximum reported when i close all my background applications, if i have anything more open the maximum limit is not reached :

 

Thanks Ill give that a try, althoguh its running pretty good at the moment

 

Do not forget:

Show Skyrim.ini here and I will one find that your memory is fully used!
(User, "yourusername" Documents \ My Games \ Hot Pursuit \ Skyrim.ini)

Why have you not bought an i7-840QM?
Too expensive?

Your i7-820QM.



Cheers

 

Hi Searcher

Will post skyrim.ini when i get home from work.

Yeah there was another 840qm ES cpu i was bidding on as well but got outbid. After that the 840qm cpu was on average almost 100 dollars more which made no sense for only 0.14ghz increase in speed.

But im sure if you find a good price it would work. the 820qm i got cost me only 125 dollars

I would strongly suggest to watch the market as the prices flactuate. For example the 820qm was selling anywhere from 120 dollars to almost 400 dollars but really the average was around 130 - 150. The 840qm was selling between 100 to almost 500 dollars but average was around 180 - 200 dollars. You can always spot a deal and hit a really good price, all you need is patience

 

That makes sense.

Cheers

 

Another word of advice , if you are buying on ebay offer the lowest price you have seen similar cpu sell for. The cpu i bought was priced at 155 dollars i offered 110 and bought it for 125 Dont worry even if you dont win or the other party doesnt accept more cpu will be selling next week or the week after

Btw Searcher i think you should create your own thread with the INI for the FanControl Utility for acer 8942g and put it in your signature

Btw has anything changed since the last time i downloaded the INI ? I love it so far I usually turn it on when im gaming but turn it off when just idling since Bios cools my cpu more but its more noisy which i dont mind. I still have to figure out how to change the values to my liking , i might do this this weekend wit hthe help of the picture you posted in the other thread !

 

The i7-740QM at Passmark and 3DMark06 is faster than the i7-820QM ...

 

Yeah i was aware of that, even Kizwan advised to get the 740qm, yet again 740qm prices were substantially higher than 820qm at that time. I am not sure though why it is faster the 820qm is clocked higher at turbo speed and has 2MB extra cache ...