T7250 Enhanched Speed Step Issues

Well, I just received my first notebook today, and everything's been going great so far (I got 3400+ 3DMarks w/ a DDR2 8600M GT ), but imagine my surprise when I fired up wPrime and got a 32M benchmark score of 70 seconds w/ my T7250 (yes, the dual-threading thingy was enabled). I immediately went from that to CPU-Z and was devasted to see that my T7250 processor, which is supposed to run at 2ghz, was crusing along at a pathetic 1.2ghz per core (due to the CPU multiplier being at 6x instead of 10x).

I researched the issue, and found out that it might have something to do w/ the Enhanced SpeedStep feature available on newer Core 2 Duos. Then I read on these forums that a good way to fix the issue was simply to use the "Always On" battery feature to keep the notebooks multiplier @ 10x, thus meaning 2.0ghz speed (10x * 200mhz bus speed = 2000mhz or 2ghz; see, I did pass elementary school). Anyways, I did try this method, but it didn't help My notebook's multiplier is still stuck at 6x. I do notice occasional jumps to 2.0ghz (10x multiplier) when I have CPU-Z open, but then the speed just goes back down to 1.2ghz (6x multiplier) after a second or two and pretty much stays that way for most of the time. Does anyone know of a method of turning this feature off while still leaving me with a real 2ghz processor??? I did try turning it off Enhanced SpeedStep in the BIOS, but that just left me stuck at 1.2ghz Any help here would be GREATLY appreciated. TIA

EDIT: Oh, and I'm running Windows XP Home w/ SP2

 

ewww lol j/k sad to hear, was thinking about getting that laptop but thinking to go with the gateway p-6831fx. i'm no help tho =(

 

Sounds like Speed Step is working. Open CPU-Z, Move it to the upper corner, now open Wprime. Run it and see if CPU-Z stays at 2Ghz while Wprime is working. If it does your Speed Step is working. I suspect SS is working but try it and then go from there.

 

You can't always have it run at 2.0 GHz. It will run at its rated clock speed only when needed, like when running wPrime or any other processor-intensive task. That's what SpeedStep does. Minimizes heat and makes for better power consumption [and battery life].

If you have properly set your Power Management Settings ["Maximum Performance" and the like], and your laptop is on AC power, then it should run fine. And by 'fine,' I mean it would run at 2.0 GHz when running wPrime and would occasionally jump between 1.2 and 2.0 when just running normal tasks. Try running wPrime now.

 

OK, thanks for the leads guys, I'll get on it now and be back w/ results shortly...

 

Well, I took powerpack's advice and ran CPU-Z at the same time w/ wPrime open and was surprised to see the T7250 jump to and stay at 2.0ghz while the test was running (it immediately went back to 1.2ghz though when the benchmark was over). Unfortunately, I still am not getting the 41-45 second range that everyone else is getting w/ their T7250s (I get 70s instead ). Anyone know what the problem is here?

 

Things are running in the background? I do agree that 70 seconds is not good. Can you go to Wprime Website download and install different version just for kicks and see how it does. Also if using Vista could some of that stuff a lot of people complain about be running? There is a sticky in Windows section on how to improve Vista performance, it is a good read. SiSoft Sandra is a good application (free) for checking out what's in your system, and has bench marks you should run.

 

Nope, nothing at all is running in the background, as I did a fresh install of XP2 (I'm not using Vista). I have a good 1.7gb of free RAM just sitting around. I will try another version of wPrime though, "just for kicks," though I won't be too optimistic for it to work. If only there was some way to have the processor stay at 2.0ghz (it doesn't want to, even with the "Always On" feature), then maybe I could at least get 50s in wPrime since it won't have to be jumping from 1.2ghz to 2.0ghz during the benchmark.

 

Have you done all the windows updates? There was an XP patch for Dual Cores I believe, I will look into it. And I no this is your 1st notebook but. I must explain to you that you do not want it running at 2Ghz all the time. 1st you would still be getting 70's in Wprime. 2nd it would run hotter and use more power. The throttling down does not hurt performance.

 

This looks like what I am talking about http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896256 I have not read yet, I will read now but thought I would let you read also! Have fun!

A NBR Post on the issue with all info better read link

Right now I am 99% sure your problem. I have more tricks if you still aren't sure.

 

Hey, powerpack, I've got some good news!! I just now decided to go with your earlier suggestion of trying out another version of wPrime (sorry, I was skeptical ), and for some reason it actually worked!!! With wPrime 1.6, I was getting ~70secs, but after trying out wPrime 1.55, I got a 32M score of 46 seconds!!!!!! I'm guessing that v1.6 must have been unstable or something, maybe the wPrime team is still working on it... But I could care less I'm just happy to know that I have a normal T7250.

BTW, I realize that the 46s wPrime score still isn't in that 41-45s range.... but I'm sure that can be tweaked

 

Please read the NBR link I provided just so you are sure it does not apply to you.

I think Vista does faster. Also you say you have nothing running in the background, I now what you mean but you do have things running. Shut down all non essential stuff. Anti virus especially to try and tweak your score.

For Fun press Ctrl+Alt+ Del to bring up Task Manager. Go to view, CPU History, Graph Both CPU's. Now you can watch to make sure both cores are working at 100% when you use Wprime!