HP 8540W Turbo boost not working

I have an HP 8540W

FN095UA
i7-620M,8G Ram, 320G HD, FX 880. Running Windows 7 64bit.

I set my laptop to High Performance and it goes to 3.06Ghz. If I run anything that requires lots of processing power turbo boost turns OFF!!!
Example. I run Prime95 64bit, it drops to 2.67Ghz... Vs my friends 8540w overclocks to 3.3Ghz ?!?!
Even if i try 2 threads, still 2.67, 1 thread it overclocks to 2.8Ghz...

I reinstall windows and all its software, reflashed bios with latest build and restore to default, what is wrong?

 

Anyone Suggestions?

 

But you said that after swapping the HDDs everything was fine, right?

 

Nope, this machine never goes above 3.06Ghz.

 

Could you swap CPU's with your friend? I have a feeling that your 620M is locked at 3.06 and actually acts like a 540M with more cache. Just a thought.

 

I gave up and called HP. they refused to replace the processor alone but would only replace the motherboard AND processor...
who am i to argue lol

 

Did they check anything remotely or just made their conclusion based on your words?

 

Turbo boost on my I7 620m works exactly the same. This is how it should work. You only get full max 3.3 ghz boost when running one core. When all cores are loaded it will boost to 3.06 ghz max.

Also remember that it tries to boost as much as it can within the set heat parameters. So if it gets very hot which it can do with prime95 it will dial down the boost to keep your system from overheating.

 

Aikimox> They remote controlled into my machine and tried reinstalling all kinds of drivers.

furfoot> Its keeps throttling down from 3.06Ghz during load and I would have just turned it on.

It can't be overheating when I initial boot it up...

Check www.hp.com/go/ispe very nice online diagnostic from hp


CPU running at 80C, with no load ?!?!?! that could be why?

 

Yes, that sounds like an obvious candidate. Perhaps a bad paste job, or maybe a defective temperature sensor.

 

Look here.
This could surely mean thermal throttling. Check if your CPU heatsink has 1 pipe. If so, you could greatly improve the situation by ordering the one with 2 pipes (for quad core CPU's) from HP parts store. It should cost under 50$.
Also, use a high quality paste (OCZ Freeze, AS-5, MX-3)

 

CPU has 2 pipes.
HP came today, they only had the processor.
Its running COOLER!! in the 670C range

 

What about throttling? Does it go all the way up to 3.33?

 

3058Mhz, Ratio 23X is the maximum it goes...
Its stable thou.
One weird thing thou, when I watch it in HWiNFO32. one core goes up to Ratio 24x but never both...

 

Well, you can have more than one core @3.33 anyway, so this could be fine.
So, does this mean the CPU was bad?

 

Its not fluctuating as much and runs cooler but still doesn't go to 3.3Ghz.

Eitherway, its better !


Motherboard is out of stock...lol

 

i7 620M

2.66GHz Base
3.06GHz Dual Core Turbo
3.33GHz Single Core Turbo


Found out other machines were set as 1 core for some reason.

Will probably upgrade processor to the 640M.

 

I'm sorry to go off topic, but I have to ask: When you say they remote-controlled into your machine, were they able to do this at will, or did you have to specifically set things up so that they could? (I ask because Elitebooks have vPro technology, and I'm suspicious of its AMT component as a back door for "authorized" Big Brothers.)

I imagine you just set up a remote desktop connection the ordinary way, through Windows, but I wanted to double-check...
Thanks!

 

I had to go to the HP's support website. Start a webx type session (install a plugin). Give them my ID and password. Then they were able to login.

 

my problem is "same same but different".
I want to turn off turbo boost because it obviously causes enormous heat in my system and thus a constantly crying fan which annoys me more and more.
I'd rather do without a few seconds of processor speed to give peace to my ears.

So is there a solution to just turn off turbo boost?