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    Enable Speedstep when AC Power

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by jellystones, Jul 21, 2006.

  1. jellystones

    jellystones Notebook Enthusiast

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    I did a search but couldnt find a topic on this.

    Anyway it seems my Core Duo Dell laptop is set to max performance when plugged into an AC outlet and Speedstep is not enabled (Always running at 1.83 Ghz).

    I would like Speedstep to be enabled all the time so that the laptop doesnt get as hot on the palmrests. Anyone know how to enable this?
     
    jellystones, Jul 21, 2006
    #1
  2. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    go to either power management in Control panel or use Quickset and choose Maximize Performance.

    This should give you max performance on ac and battery.
     
    Amber, Jul 21, 2006
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  3. MC.

    MC. Notebook Enthusiast

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    Go to control panel-> power options, select Portable/Laptop.
    Yours is probably set to Home/Office desk.
     
    MC., Jul 22, 2006
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  4. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

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    @jellystones - I think what you want to know (which no one responded to yet) was how you could "underclock" your cpu in order to keep your notebook cool. This feature is not something yet available, but if you have (or will) beta test Vista, you will see that Vista allows you to toggle performance when on ac or dc (battery).
     
    Gautam, Jul 22, 2006
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  5. jeffmd

    jeffmd Notebook Evangelist

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    hmm, my 1505 by default (in other words, I havnt found a toggle) has speed step enabled, even when on AC power.

    Gautam, that is exactly what speed step is, and it works like you might expect. It will alter clock speed in like less then a second to programs that request %100 usage.
     

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    jeffmd, Jul 22, 2006
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  6. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

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    @jeffmd - The speedstep potential doesnt really (at least on a working machine) come into play until you are on battery. There isnt any point from a battery conservation perspective to underclock your cpu when on AC power.

    @jellystones - you might research undervolting your CPU, although its a risky procedure on dual cores.
     
    Gautam, Jul 22, 2006
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  7. jeffmd

    jeffmd Notebook Evangelist

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    guatam, sure there is, and the OP knows this to...heat.

    Downclocking is even more efficent at reducing heat then halt commands.
     
    jeffmd, Jul 22, 2006
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