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    ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 3 purchased with i7-5600U (up to 3.20GHz) but shows 2.6GHz

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ed_h, Jan 12, 2016.

  1. ed_h

    ed_h Notebook Consultant

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    Hello

    I purchased a ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 3 machine with an Intel Core i7-5600U Processor (up to 3.20GHz) but when I look at the specs in the "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\System" screen, it shows the processor details as "Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5600U CPU @2.60GHz 2.59 GHz".

    Has the correct processor been put in my machine? If it has, why isn't it showing 3.2GHz?

    Please help. Sorry but I'm not very tech savvy so apologies for the silly question.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    ed_h, Jan 12, 2016
    #1
  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    That's the correct processor. Windows is probably not rounding the clockspeed. The processor is probably running at 2.599GHz.

    You can download CPU-Z to get a better look at the processor's specs. http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

    Charles
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jan 12, 2016
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  3. Dufus

    Dufus .

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    2.6GHz is the base frequency also known as the guaranteed frequency or HFM. The string with "@2.60GHz" is built into the CPU and the slightly lower frequency below 2.6GHz is due to the bus clock being a little less than 100MHz usually due to down shift spread spectrum.

    Frequency above 2.6GHz is known as turbo and can go up to 32x (3.2GHz) while one core is active and 31x (3.1GHz) while both cores are active if it is not being throttled. The 5600U also has a possible 4 extra overclocking bins to allow frequencies up to 3.6GHz and 3.5GHz respectively.
     
    Dufus, Jan 12, 2016
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  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Run HWiNFO, which has a useful dynamic CPU speed display, and you should see the CPU speed vary according to workload.

    The maximum turbo speed is for only one core and/or short bursts of activity but you should see both cores running at 3 GHz. I would note that some notebooks disable Turbo mode when running on battery because this mode is less power efficicient.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jan 14, 2016
    #4