Is SpeedSwitchXP necessary?

[ThurzNite]

I have SP2 and current with XP updates. Is SpeedSwitchXP still necessary? Has XP addressed the throttling issues? Thank you.

Jae

 

[fbrdphreak]

There were throttling issues?

What processor? If you have any Pentium M/Centrino/Core Duo based, I would download Notebook Hardware Control. Anything else Speedswitch XP is fine, but you don't "need it." If you want it to switch dynamically, leave it on Laptop. If you want it to lock at lowest freq, put it on "Max Battery." If you want to max performance, put it on "Home/Desktop."

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
There were throttling issues?

What processor? If you have any Pentium M/Centrino/Core Duo based, I would download Notebook Hardware Control. Anything else Speedswitch XP is fine, but you don't "need it." If you want it to switch dynamically, leave it on Laptop. If you want it to lock at lowest freq, put it on "Max Battery." If you want to max performance, put it on "Home/Desktop."

Whoa, thanks for that utility fbrdphreak! I hadn't heard of Notebook Hardware Control before. I've used Speedswitch XP in the past just because in games I don't want it to throttle-down and when on battery mode I don't want it to throttle up. Wish OSX had something similar, although I find that OSX handles pretty well, it's just a "loss of control" thing.

 

[ThurzNite]

The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 8500 (service tag d88qh31). It's Intel based and in the bios there's a SpeedStep option (it's selected). Windows was reporting 256mhz, when it's supposed to be 2.4GHz. It was stuck there so I reformated. It ran at 1.2Ghz after that (Home/Office power setting). After installing SpeedSwitchXP and setting it to Max Performance, now I get 2.4.

I installed Notebook Hardware Control on a different laptop and it seems to be doing it's job (otherwise this 1.0Ghz runs at 700mhz or worse. Thanks for your help!

edit: btw, I know why it was stuck at 1.2ghz... the cpu fan wasn't running. I popped it out, dusted it, and now it runs. I think the computer knew it was overheating and throttled down. Usually the laptop runs well when turned on but got sluggish as the hours passed...now I know why. Thanks again!

Jae

 

[ManyBeers]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
There were throttling issues?

What processor? If you have any Pentium M/Centrino/Core Duo based, I would download Notebook Hardware Control. Anything else Speedswitch XP is fine, but you don't "need it." If you want it to switch dynamically, leave it on Laptop. If you want it to lock at lowest freq, put it on "Max Battery." If you want to max performance, put it on "Home/Desktop."

Thanks phreak, I always wondered what the difference was beween 'laptop' and 'max battery'.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: ThurzNite
The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 8500 (service tag d88qh31). It's Intel based and in the bios there's a SpeedStep option (it's selected). Windows was reporting 256mhz, when it's supposed to be 2.4GHz. It was stuck there so I reformated. It ran at 1.2Ghz after that (Home/Office power setting). After installing SpeedSwitchXP and setting it to Max Performance, now I get 2.4.

I installed Notebook Hardware Control on a different laptop and it seems to be doing it's job (otherwise this 1.0Ghz runs at 700mhz or worse. Thanks for your help!

edit: btw, I know why it was stuck at 1.2ghz... the cpu fan wasn't running. I popped it out, dusted it, and now it runs. I think the computer knew it was overheating and throttled down. Usually the laptop runs well when turned on but got sluggish as the hours passed...now I know why. Thanks again!

Jae

The Dell 8500 you mentioned uses one of the old P4-M chips. These are Pentium 4 Mobile processors, which I believe have regular Speedstep (Not Enhanced Speestep like the Pentium M's). It runs at full clock and then one lower speed, not sure what the lower speed is.

When Windows was reporting 256MHz, that was no throttling issue. Windows has always reported the clock speed of throttling CPU's wrong when you look at the System control panel. You need to use a third party app to verify clock speed, but I suspect your laptop was working fine. Just make sure to have the latest Intel chipset drivers installed (The ones from Dell should suffice, but you can use the ones straight from Intel's website) and if you're running Windows 2000 you need a little Speedstep applet to activate it.

 

[RyanM]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
There were throttling issues?

What processor? If you have any Pentium M/Centrino/Core Duo based, I would download Notebook Hardware Control. Anything else Speedswitch XP is fine, but you don't "need it." If you want it to switch dynamically, leave it on Laptop. If you want it to lock at lowest freq, put it on "Max Battery." If you want to max performance, put it on "Home/Desktop."

You rock. This is like Speedfan for notebooks. Awesome!