Low Score on pcpitstop.com

Hey everyone,

I'm new to this forum and just wanted to say that the information provided here is fantastic.

I went to pcpitstop.com to check up on my zv5000z notebook computer but every time I run the test, I get a flag on memory that says that my notebook has a low memory speed compared to other similar notebooks. Can this be related to the "corrupt memory" errors that the other threads are talking about?

My memory configuration is 2 x 256 MB pc2700 Infineon memory.

 

It's probably trying to compare the zv5000z's single-channel memory to some other machines with dual-channel memory, while ignoring the much lower memory latency that the zv5000z and all other Athlon 64 notebooks have. I'd ignore the "warning".

 

Thanks alot for your help but I figured out the problem. The HP-installed default driver for the Athlon 64 that comes with the notebook makes the processor stuck on 800 mhz for some reason. I installed the newest driver found on amd.com and CPU-Z now reports that the processor speed is 1800 mhz. I'm sure of this because wmv hd samples would freeze up before but now they play perfectly.

Plus, PCPitStop now reports that I have normal memory unlike before.

Thanks again brainstretch.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by KrispyKreme50

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Modern Executive

 

Well, this sucks. I replaced the driver for the CPU and the ALPS mouse driver is gone now! [ !] Where can I find this sucker?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Modern Executive

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Modern Executive
NM I think I found it. However, I took my zv5000z to the site and it's benching my 64 bit 3000+ at 800 MHz. What gives?
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>
Meh, you guys are going to hate me for flooding the board tonight. What I probably should say is that I went to amd.com (http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_9706,00.html) and found the AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor Driver for Windows XP, Version (exe) 1.1.0.14. Ran it, rebooted and PCPitStop gave me a checkered flag but listed my nominal and measured clock speed at 800 MHz. So, that's why I'm confused. Suggestions?

Also, I guess I'm a little hacked off that my memory is 71% of a comparable system (2 256 Megs in the slots). 3125 mb/s out of what should be 4389 mb/s. I guess i don't really notice the difference, but I would like it running with the rest of the pack. Suggestions? I'm going to check the L2 cache (although I don't know what that means. I'm just a silly noob [V]

 

Just posting this for anybody who is interested...

I retested my computer on PCPitStop with the clock speed set at 1800 mhz (full speed for my 3000+) and got memory performance of 102% compared to similar notebooks.

Guess this means that the 800 mhz clock speed was the culprit all along.

Does anybody happen to know if you can put in a MOBILE Athlon 64 (I'm thinking of 3400+) in the socket of my notebook (which has a DTR Athlon 64 at 3000+)? I've been reading that the MOBILE version gets better battery life due to a lower wattage. Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

Hey Modern Executive,

The same thing happened to me too before I updated with the new driver. PCPitStop measured my speed as 800 mhz and gave me a similar memory rating (around 72%). I think the memory rating turns out low because of the low clock speed. FYI, I downloaded the driver version 1.1.0.14. Try this out:

-Install the latest driver from AMD. (if already installed to the version I have skip this step)
-Change the power setting to Home/Office Desk. If the power setting is set on Portable/Laptop (which is setting that HP ships the notebook to you), the computer will still slow its clock speed to 800 mhz and you will get those weird results. To get to power settings, go to control panel --> performance and maintenance --> then power options
-Also note that if you are running on battery, then Home/Office Desk will automatically lower the clock speed as necessary. From what I've heard and seen, the only way to run at full clock speed on batteries is to change the power setting to the Always On setting.
-One last note, Windows XP will still incorrectly display the clock speed as 800 mhz even though it is higher than that after you do all the above. To check your real clock speed I recommend getting one of AMD's utilities that can measure your clock speed.

To reinstall your driver for the ALPS pointing device, you should either have a CD/DVD from HP that has all the factory drivers on it or you can use Software Setup from the computer to reinstall all the programs and drivers you need.

Hope this helps you!

 

Yes. But good luck finding them, I haven't seen any for sale in months.

 

My memory had a yellow flag: 72% of average (3150 MB/s), I calculate the average to be ~4400 MB/sec.

So, I put the power scheme "Always ON" obtain 9167 MB/sec = 210%! Now we are talknig!

zv5000z, 3700+, 512MB single chip RAM (yeah, HP used to offer that option... keep in mind, the more chips you have, the slower your RAM performs...).

 

Ah, I forgot all about that. You're supposed to turn power management off before running benchmarks because the fraction of a second it takes to switch gears is enough to screw up the benchmark, even though in the real world you'd never perceive it. Nice catch.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by KrispyKreme50
The same thing happened to me too before I updated with the new driver. PCPitStop measured my speed as 800 mhz and gave me a similar memory rating (around 72%). I think the memory rating turns out low because of the low clock speed.
...
-Change the power setting to Home/Office Desk. If the power setting is set on Portable/Laptop (which is setting that HP ships the notebook to you), the computer will still slow its clock speed to 800 mhz and you will get those weird results. To get to power settings, go to control panel --> performance and maintenance --> then power options
-One last note, Windows XP will still incorrectly display the clock speed as 800 mhz even though it is higher than that after you do all the above. To check your real clock speed I recommend getting one of AMD's utilities that can measure your clock speed.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Thanks for a speedy reply. I tried fiddling around with XP's power management options, switching to always on, home/desk etc. Even while plugged in, the lappy still tested around 803-807. Yellow flag with the memory still. Maybe it's because I'm using 2 256 MB ram sticks. Oh well. I've become less concerned with how their test measures my system. Actually, after cruising around their site, the whole point of the benchmark seems little more than the geeky way to compare "size." My machine flies. Their test sucks. What else need I say?