core 2 duo max usage 50%

I have a notebook with an Intel Core 2 Duo at 1.66 Ghz running on Windows XP SP2 (x86). The problem is that the processor won't pass the 50% level of usage (for example when running super pi the usage is 50%). The power settings are at "Maximum Performance" and the laptop is on AC power. Any ideas what could cause this problem?

 

Is your XP modified to fully use/support Dual cores?
Windows XP Multi Core config

 

I am sorry but you cannot base your (dual core) processor usage on superpi, that is not a multithreaded application and has never been. I have the dual core fix and it still makes no difference it still only reaches ~50% on both cores. If you want to test your processing power use another benchmarking tool superpi is IMHO no longer applicable to dual core processors.

Also you might want to set your power management in windows back to portable/laptop your processor has speedstep and will thus crank up to max speed as needed and slow down when processing power is not needed there is no need to put it on maximum performance to get good performance all you are doing is generating extra heat ...

 

There's nothing wrong with your CPU. This issue has been discussed roughly 72837532039485 times on this forum, but for the 72837532039486th time 50% of two cores = one core. This is because all of the programs you are running right now can only be run on one core. If you have a multithreaded application, then it will use two cores. Otherwise, try to multitask as heavily as possible, open up every program you can think of so Windows will be forced to throw something on the other core, then watch the task manager. You will get above 50%, guaranteed.

 

Thank you very much for your help. I installed the latest Multi Core fix from MS website, also I noticed that wile running super pi, if I run another application the cpu usage will reach more than 50%, it reached even 100%. However I noticed that in the system properties window (that is reached by right-click on my computer) the processor frequency is always 979 Mhz no matter what power profile I use. My processor is 1.66 Ghz.
I attachet a screenshot of the system properties window

 

Install Notebook Hardware Control and then see what it says for your clock speeds.
But before that; is this on battery or AC? if on battery, most laptops nowadays clock the cpu down while on battery to save battery life.

 

same thing on my hp.
and it's plugged in.
I'll see what the bios has to say about it.

 

Download and start CPU-Z.
Run SuperPi.
See if your processor goes to full speed in CPU-Z while running SuperPi.





Notice the change in Core Speed and Multiplier?

 

It doesn't. When it's on AC power it remains to 979 Mhz no matter how much i stress the cpu or what power scheme I switch to. And it is clear that it actually runs at 979 Mhz since super pi takes 2m 1s to calculate for 2M digits.

When it's on battery power it works normally. If i switch the power scheme to Maximum Performance the cpu goes to 1.66 Ghz and super pi gives the result for 2M digits in 1m 17s.

I have the latest BIOS update and power management software from Lenovo.

 

That window does not update the CPU speed properly. Use another program to monitor CPU clock speed.

 

Tried with CPU-Z. The same thing.

 

So the problem only shows when the laptop is on AC power with the battery disconnected.

If it is on battery or on AC power with the battery mounted it runs normally.

 

on the left...
idle....
on the right...
with super_pi

the tests are the same, with or without AC power supply.

 

Your's is working properly LuckyST. It's x6 multiplier (997.5 MHz) when idling, and x11 multiplier (1828.7 MHz) when running Super Pi. What's your problem?

 

I guess there is a possibility that your Lenovo power management software is confusing your AC Power settings with Battery Power settings. Try disabling this thru Windows and your BIOS, then running SuperPi again. If your score improves significantly, then it may be a conflict with the software, perhaps Intel's SpeedStep is jockeying for authority with your Lenovo software.

You can also try disabling SpeedStep and only running the Lenovo software.

 

no problem here.
just first time I run the test

 

After spending all day trying to fix this problem I found a 3 year old discussion: http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/2004-01/0572.html
Considering that the "problem" is so old and there are many people who reported it, and since IBM says it's normal, I can live with it. Ill just have to keep the battery on all the time.