WEI (Processor) 3.4 after Clean Install... any ideas?

Sorry for the long post, but I tried to include everything that may help.

After I did a clean install with Windows 7 Pro 64 and installing (lenovo's) drivers, my processor score dropped to 3.4. I changed my setting in Windows to max performance, that didn't change the score. I'm just a little lost on this... don't know what I did frankly. I'm ok around a computer, but not enough to figure this one out.

When I first got the computer I switched to compatibility mode (messing around) instead of AHCI and maybe I didn't switch it back before fresh install. Could it make that big a difference? That is the only thing I can think of. I've seen others with fresh installs much higher processor score (same processor at 6 or 7).

*No windows power options have been changed from clean install.


System:

x220 2520 i5
320 7200
4gb ram


In BIOS:

Speedstep: Enabled
Mode for AC: Max
Battery: Optimized
Termal
AC: Max
Bat: Balance
CPU Power Manage: Enabled
SATA: AHCI (could've been on compat when installed)
Multi-thread: Enabled
Hyper-thread: Enabled
AMT Control: Disabled
Execution Protect: Enabled
Virtualization: Both Disabled
Boot: Legacy Only


Drivers Install:

Audio 8.32.23.0
BIOS Update Utility 1.11
Hotkey Utility 3.33.0002
Integrated Camera 1.1.0.1147
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 14.00.1000
Intel Chipset 9.2.0.1015
Intel HD Graphic Driver 8.15.10.2321
Intel PRO 1000 LAN Adapter Software 11.8.84.0
Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver 10.1.0.1008
Monitor 4.35
Power Management Driver 1.62
Ricoh Multi Card Reader 2.13.18.02
Sierra Wireless MC8355 1.0.1.0
ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software 5.9.4.6882
UltraNav Driver 15.2.20.0


Processor: 3.4
Memory: 5.6
Graphics: 4.2
Gaming: 5.6
Disk: 5.9


It still runs fine and performs pretty good, but I can tell it isn't as snappy as the factory install. Any help or ideas are very much appreciated.

 

this is what i would do since you've messed with some settings in the BIOS.

go into the BIOS, hit f9 to put everything back to default. save your BIOS settings and reboot. go back into the BIOS and make sure it's set to be on AHCI. the AHCI option is only for people who want to install XP.

set the power into power manager and for max performance. re-reun the WEI test and see what your CPU score is.

 

Make sure that you have the Lenovo Power Manager software (as well as the driver) installed. Features such as the cooling profile also affect the CPU speed.

I also thought a TurboBoost driver existed, but I can't point to it.

HWiNFO32 has a useful processor speed gauge. What's the maxium processor speed you are seeing.

John

 

I've done installs with just the basic drivers: video/nic/wireless/sound and not had this issue. It shouldn't be related to drivers.

 

I had the same problem with Ultimate win. but not Pro or Hm basic.
After install I did a Lenovo update and that boosted my WEI up from 5.2 - 5.9.

 

This pisses me off more than anything. I have Win 7 Ultimate Signature Edition, and now to optimize my X220 I gotta put Win 7 Pro on it haha!

 

Other have had no problem, I personally could not get Ultimate to run right after several tries.
My WEI scores dropped and my battery life plummeted.
It just may be me or my computer.

 

I think it is in AHCI. I went into (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\msahci), I was told that if under "Start" you have a 0 value it is AHCI. I may be wrong, if someone says that is wrong I'll F9 the BIOS to make sure.

I'm thinking this whole issue may be that I don't have the Power Manager software (I have driver). I've been holding off on it as I didn't know if I really needed it (me being ocd).

Thanks John, it seems most are leading back to the power manager software.

Under Central Processor (HWiNFO32), I see these numbers...

Minimum: 800 MHz
Maximum: 2500 MHz
Turbo: 3200 MHz
Current: 797.2 MHz

I have all the basic drivers installed and I don't think I missed any critical ones. I kinda don't think it is a driver issue either, but figured I'd list them.

Was the 5.2 coming from processor or something else? Did you have power manager already installed before the update?

I think I might have to bite the bullet and get power manager.

Does the one in windows just not cut it?

 

By the way, does anyone know what "PCI bus 0, device 22, function 0" is on the x220? Device manager just says Unknown device. I thought it may have something to do with Intel Active Management after I uninstalled that.

 

No power manager the first install and the 2nd install had power manger.
No difference.

It was something Intel sent over the update that changed the scores.

 

Hmm, odd. Was that score increase for the processor or something else?

I don't know if this is out of the ordinary or not, but with a 720p movie, photoshop and mozilla with 10 tabs it is still only using 800 MHz. Seems like no matter what I do on the pc, inside HWiNFO it reads 797 CPU Current. Seems like it would ramp up at one point or another.... maybe I'm wrong.

 

nothing, it actually was a drop.
My original score on the factory install was:
Processor - 7.1
Memory (Ram) 7.5
Graphics - 6.2
Gaming Graphics - 6.2
Prim. HDD - 5.9

So I lost on the graphics from 6.2 to 5.9

Now I just ran the WEI again my score is 5.9 but i gained on the gaming graphics and the graphics stayed the same from earlier install at 5.9.

Processor - 7.1
Memory (Ram) 7.5
Graphics - 5.9
Gaming Graphics - 6.2
Prim. HDD - 5.9

 

His issue is with the processor though, which shouldn't be affected by drivers. Yours didnt change, which is how his should have gone too.

 

If I were to base things off WEI score I'd say my processor is running about half speed.... as if it is locked in at that speed. Has to be a setting I've changed somewhere, ha. Doesn't WEI just take the computer as high as it can go? Little new to 7.

 

With HWiNFO32 open at the system summary page (where the CPU speed is shown as two coloured bars) run the wPrime benchmark (32M). What does the CPU speed do and what time do you get for the benchmark (my i5-2520M manages about 17s).

In Power Manager check the settings for your power profile. Below are the settings to give the best performance on my T420s.



John

 

Hey John, thanks for sticking with me.

32 benchmark finished in 62 sec with 4 thread count in advanced settings. Much longer with just 1 thread.

In CPU-Z, my core speed says 797.4 MHz... not once did it fluctuate during the benchmark. It went up to 797.6, but that is it.


From wPrime:

CPU Found: CPU0
Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50GHz
Speed: 775 MHz
L2 Cache: 256 KB

 

Have you checked with CPU-z program towards the bottom right to see how many cores/threads are reported and not just the cpu speed ? Mine read only 1 core/1 thread with my T420(RMA'd) and I had to reinstall windows to get it to see both cores and 2 threads.

 

Thanks for the extra info. For some reason the CPU is running at minimum speed and SpeedStep / Intel TurboBoost is not working (similar to this unresolved problem).

Have you checked the settings in Power Manager? See above for my settings (the options under System Settings) for best performance on my T420s when on mains power.

John

 

It definitely sounds like there's a setting that's throttling your cpu. It's either going to be in BIOS or in the Power Manager app.

In BIOS I'd set everything to MAX and disable any CPU throttling and test again to see if the scores go up. Then you can isolate from there.

 

First let me say I appreciate all the help from everyone.



Took it off AC power and ran another test.... looks like AC might be the problem.

PLUGGED IN NO BATTERY INSIDE (bios set to max):

32 benchmark = 62 seconds
Never hit more than 797 MHz

PLUGGED IN NO BATTERY INSIDE (bios set to balance):

32 benchmark = 63 seconds
Never hit more than 797 MHz

ON BATTERY (bios set to balanced):

32 benchmark = 16.397
Hit 3000 MHz at one point

On battery just using regularly it is now jumping up to 999, then 1300, back to 797... so seems to be running fine.


It didn't reach 3200 in the benchmark though, would that mean turbo boost is disabled?

I assume I have to install power manager to activate power boost?

2 cores 4 threads is what it says.

That guy seems to have a very similiar problem.

I was just seeing if it could be resolved without power manager. I was trying to keep as many applications off the computer as possible. However it does seem like power manager is pretty useful, might have to snag that.

Is that the only way to turn on turbo boost?

I set on ac and battery both to max and didn't change much. Battery still worked fine, ac didn't. I also turned ac down to battery optimized/balanced and that didn't change.

Just seems when I plug the thing in it locks me into the lowest cpu power. Weird.

 

Ok update for you guys. Put the battery in and plugged into ac... benchmark is the same when it is just on battery. Got up to 2990 MHz.

So it is having the battery slot empty that is causing this whole thing.

I always take it out to keep it from charging. Frankly I feel a little foolish, it was never a problem with my old computer. I guess that saying about assumptions holds true. Thanks for the help guys, looks like that was the problem.

I wonder if that will be fixed, I like to keep the battery out unless I'm using it.


Is there way to stop the battery from getting a charge while inside the computer?

 

Slaps head! I should have asked this question since, now you mention it, the same issue came up a week or so back. It's understandable that the designers opted to provide this safety margin (see here for an example of where the designers didn't implement the throttling), I expect it is a standard part of the BIOS although it is unnecessary on your notebook or mine where the maximum power consumption of the hardware is well within the capacity of the PSU.

Yes, the Battery Maintenance utility in Power Manager.



John

 

My Thinkpads have always throttled with battery removed, don't think that's changing anytime soon.

 

Ha, I appreciate all the help. I guess I could've mentioned the battery was out the whole time. Right when you posted that link about the other guy having issues, it hit me. After I read one of the first few posts in that thread I tossed the battery in while on AC and sure enough.... fixed.


Updated WEI Score (On AC with Battery):

Processor 7.1
Memory 5.9
Graphics 4.7
Gaming 6.2
Disk 5.9


It also did take the CPU up to 3190 MHz so it looks like Power/Turbo whatever boost is working. Maybe got a .1 boost in gaming graphics after updating to the latest intel drivers released a few days ago... maybe not.

 

my WEI before 8 gb (2+2+2+2) and after upgrade to 12 gb (2+2+4+4)

 

In my experience, the 4GB modules have slightly slower timings than the 2GB modules, and all the RAM will run at the speed of the slowest module.

John