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    Core 2 Duo (Penryn) Speedstep only 1.6-2.0GHz?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by bemymonkey, Jul 5, 2009.

  1. bemymonkey

    bemymonkey Notebook Guru

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    Hi everyone,

    Looks like a pretty cool forum you've got going over here. I think I'm gonna like it here ;)

    I've got a question concerning my week-old Thinkpad SL500 - it's got a Core 2 Duo P7370 that runs at 2.0GHz. That's all fine and good, but when I activate a power saving mode, the lowest that it clocks down to is 1.6GHz. Is that normal?

    I seem to remember that my old Centrino (Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan) clocked down past 800MHz or so and was able to lower its vCore to about half of what was required at full speed... I'd like to get similar power savings with this Core 2 Duo.

    Any ideas? :)
     
  2. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    Hi bemymonkey. Welcome to NBR.

    Yes, that is the speed range for Core 2 CPU's; from 1.6GHz to their max rated speed.

    My Pentium M 760 2Ghz has a low speed of 800MHz like yours. I also undervolted it down to the bare minimum 0.7v at 800MHz.

    Here's a guide to help you undervolt your P7370. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=235824
     
  3. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Theres something called Intel SuperLFM (super low frequency mode), which cuts the FSB in half meaning it idles at 800mhz, instead of 1.6ghz

    Most programs cannot detect this feature though.

    Run CPU-z and press F9, it should show the real time clocks.
     
  4. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

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    My T8300 goes as low as 600 Mhz.