Question about processor speed

[will9121]

First post, and not completely sure about an AMD (first AMD processor). I bought a new laptop tonight, Compaq Presario, model v2710us. Anywho, the processor speed is said to be 2 Ghz, with 512MB ram. When I bring up system properties it reads 1.6 Ghz and roughly 384MB ram. I have run a couple of tools to find out exactly the current processor speed and it keeps giving me different speeds, the first time I ran it, it said 1866, second 1712, third 1698, fourth 1756. So I am just curious, why is the processor speed changing like that, and why is it not reading 2Ghz on the system properties? Thanks.

Will

 

[Talcite]

download CPU-Z to look at your CPU clock frequency. That's probably the most reliable.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Power-saving can change the speed, especially if you are running from battery instead of AC power

128MB of your RAM went to the motherboard integrated video. You might be able to set it down to 64MB in the BIOS if you will never use the laptop for 3D applications.

 

[will9121]

Restarted the computer and set the shared video to 32mb. CPU-Z will fluctuate between 2Ghz all the way down to 800Mhz. It seems to throttle when the chip is not being used. Is there any way to turn this off or only have it throttle when not plugged in?

 

[savvy]

In the BIOS.

 

[will9121]

Changed the BIOS from battery life to Performance, and it is still throttling. Any other suggestions?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Throttling is good when the machine is idle, it cuts heat and lets the fan stay off.

 

[gramboh]

I use SpeedswitchXP on my work laptop as I don't have the BIOS password. It lets you setup profiles for power usage. I have it forced to 100% CPU speed during AC power and throttling on battery. Useful because throttling feels like it's slowing my system down even if its not. I don't care about heat and fan noise since it's not my machine

 

[knght990]

On some laptops, sonys for example, there is an extra power management tab under the power options found in the display properties window under the screen saver tab. This software is usually propritary from the mfgr. You can usually configure the settings there and create profiles, ie pluged in vs on battery. After that, the CPU producer usually has a speed stepping software. Speed stepping conserves battery. The CPU will increase its speed based on demand. Having it vary dosent hurt anything other then trying to test for its speed. You can delete the software usually through the add/remove programs window in the control panel and usually has an obvious name like 'vaio power managemnt" or "intel speed step". i don't know your specific laptop so i can't tell you the specific software. CPU-Z can give you the CPU's state as well as the speed. The state will be a reference to power consumption and speed. I wouldnt recomend removing the software unless you have some ultra specific need as it is just helpful.
Hopefully this helps you out.
-TL

 

[Rankor]

Control Panel/Power Options/

Set Power schemes to Always On