Why Vista downclock CPU of my PC

I've installed Windows Vista on my Amilo FS notebook with AMD Mobile Athlon 64 4000+ CPU. So, it works, but CPU frequency not greater then 800 Mgz at any time. I've tried different power saving options, but no effect... Why Vista downclock CPU of my PC?

 

Are you looking at the CPU speed when the computer is idle or under load? The CPU normally runs a minimum speed when not very busy in order to reduce power consumption and heat generated.

Run wPrime and then check the CPU speed. Normally a balanced or optimised power profile will give the best overall results. There's more about wPrime in this thread. You may want to contribute your results.

John

 

Yup the new CPUs are designed to downclock/slow down when not being used or when the usage does not require full speed. It's a method reducing power consumption, heat and so your fan doesn't run at full speed all the time. The feature is on most of the newer CPUs whether desktop or laptop.

on AMD the feature is called Cool n Quiet.

try wPrime or SuperPi and see what your speed is when running that

 

I do looking at the CPU speed (via AMDClock utility) when the computer is under load. So, it's never rise more then 800 MHz. I wonder, but balanced, optimized or maximum performance power profiles take no effect at all! Unfortunately, wPrime or SuperPi do not work under Vista, but 3DMark2003 shows 800 MHz and it don't rise during tests... I have no idea what is it and how to get rid of it...

 

Notebooks often downclock to save battery power. Plug it in or start doing something and it should be OK in minutes.

Are you using RM clock to measure it?

 

I am using AMD Clock Version 2.0.1 (from the AMD official cite) to measure CPU frequency. I try to run CPU tests loading CPU on full and measure CPU frequency at the same time, but it always not greater then 800 MHz. I really appreciate attention of Vista to power saving technologies, but I plug my notebook in power outlet, I don't care about battery power and I want full performance I paid for.

 

Download CPU-Z, set the PC to "Performance" power profile, and then try doing something processor intensive (like running SuperPi or PCMark05).

 

I've solved the problem: old BIOS was the reason.