CPU Clock speed

[bacpacman]

Hi all,
I have just used CPU Speed Pro to test my processor clock speed and it has turned up some strange results.

My laptop is a MSI GT725 which basically has a quad core Q9000 which should be clocked at 2.00Ghz per core.
It also has a Turbo button which ups the frequency by various %ages based on the BIOS settings.
Mine is set to the max of 24% boost.

If I run the CPU Speed Pro test with the Turbo on and it clocks at 2074Mhz, bit low but not that strange.

However, if I test with the Turbo off it clocks in at 874Mhz. ???

Does anyone have experience with this utility and is this reading indicating a problem with my CPU or a quirk of the program ?

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[DoubleHelix]

Since it's a laptop, it's probably throttling speed to save power, control heat, etc.

 

[bacpacman]

Thanks doublehelix, the figure would make sense if it was throttling as I would expect in a low power state the CPU to clock at 800Mhz.

I just thought when the program puts a 100% load through, the CPU would come out of any throttling phase.

 

[DoubleHelix]

It should. Whether it does or not for the program you're using is in question. I wouldn't believe the app over the specs unless you bought it from a less than reputable place.

 

[bacpacman]

ebay

 

[DoubleHelix]

Run CPU-Z.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

 

[bacpacman]

Ok, CPUZ shows the same 2074Mhz under Turbo mode, with Turbo turned off I now clock at 1595Mhz.

This is still down on the expected clock speeds of 2Ghz and 2.4Ghz ?

 

[DoubleHelix]

What is in the Specification field? You're looking at activity.

 

[bacpacman]

The Specification tab lists the quad core Q9000 @2.00Ghz

 

[DoubleHelix]

There's your answer. You have the processor you expected.

 

[bacpacman]

would you not expect it to show up as 2000Mhz in the Clocks section ?

 

[DoubleHelix]

No, I wouldn't. Your computer will use the clock speed and power it needs when it needs it. It would be a huge waste of power and longevity for a processor to run full-out at max speed when the system is idling.

 

[bacpacman]

Cool, thanks for your help DoubleHelix