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Processor problem

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Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

Hi, I was wondering if anyone might be able to help out with a problem I have.

I recently purchased a Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor, but for some reason when I check my system properties; it says Pentium 4 2.8GHz, then directly underneath it says "1.4GHz". Does this mean my machine is actually running at 1.4GHz and not 2.8? If so, is there anything I can do to make it run faster?

Thanks for looking

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Re: Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

Hi PaddyRamsey.

Have you got a manufacturer and model number for the motherboard in that system?

If you don't know what it is, please download and install 'Everest Home Edition' which is linked in the 'Sticky' at top of page, and use it to find out what the motherboard is please. then let us know.

The processor might be misconfigured, or else the motherboard may not be recognizing it correctly for some reason.

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Re: Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

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Originally Posted by Catweazle

Hi PaddyRamsey.

Have you got a manufacturer and model number for the motherboard in that system?

If you don't know what it is, please download and install 'Everest Home Edition' which is linked in the 'Sticky' at top of page, and use it to find out what the motherboard is please. then let us know.

The processor might be misconfigured, or else the motherboard may not be recognizing it correctly for some reason.

Fortunately I already know...

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Re: Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

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Originally Posted by PaddyRamsey

Fortunately I already know...

ASrock GE PRO-HT

Sorry Paddy, but that motherboard does not support 800FSB processors, which I'm guessing is what you have there.

A processor's frequency is determined by its multiplier and the front side bus (FSB). For a present-day 2.8Ghz P4, the FSB is 200Mhz (quad pumped to 800) and the multiplier is 14. 14 * 200 = 2800Mhz (2.8Ghz).

In your case, the motherboard has defaulted to a FSB of 100Mhz (quad pumped to 400), which results in 14 * 100 = 1400Mhz (1.4Ghz).

Your board supports up to 533FSB processors (133 quad pumped to 533), so the best you can stick in there would be a 3.06Ghz P4 (533FSB).

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Re: Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

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Originally Posted by Coconut Monkey

Sorry Paddy, but that motherboard does not support 800FSB processors, which I'm guessing is what you have there.

A processor's frequency is determined by its multiplier and the front side bus (FSB). For a present-day 2.8Ghz P4, the FSB is 200Mhz (quad pumped to 800) and the multiplier is 14. 14 * 200 = 2800Mhz (2.8Ghz).

In your case, the motherboard has defaulted to a FSB of 100Mhz (quad pumped to 400), which results in 14 * 100 = 1400Mhz (1.4Ghz).

Your board supports up to 533FSB processors (133 quad pumped to 533), so the best you can stick in there would be a 3.06Ghz P4 (533FSB).

So is there no way I can make it faster than 1.4? No Bios settings will let me change anything?

Or is the only option a new processor?

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Re: Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

That processor is a mismatch for your motherboard, I'm sorry to say. If you can change the processor front side bus setting to 133MHz in BIOS you will get a bit better from it, but not the full speed. If the system still boots when you effect the change, you'd get 1862MHz instead of 1400MHz.

You're basically confronted with two choices:

* Sell that processor and replace it with one which uses a 533MHz front side bus
* Replace the motherboard with one which can use an 800MHz front side bus processor.

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Re: Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

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Originally Posted by Catweazle

That processor is a mismatch for your motherboard, I'm sorry to say. If you can change the processor front side bus setting to 133MHz in BIOS you will get a bit better from it, but not the full speed. If the system still boots when you effect the change, you'd get 1862MHz instead of 1400MHz.

You're basically confronted with two choices:

* Sell that processor and replace it with one which uses a 533MHz front side bus
* Replace the motherboard with one which can use an 800MHz front side bus processor.

Thank you very much Catweazle/Coconut Monkey. You have saved me much time searching for a forum where somebody will actually be bothered to answer my problem.

I think I would be better off selling the processor. I shouldn't have too many problems shifting one of this quality should I?

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Re: Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

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Originally Posted by PaddyRamsey

Thank you very much Catweazle/Coconut Monkey. You have saved me much time searching for a forum where somebody will actually be bothered to answer my problem.

I think I would be better off selling the processor. I shouldn't have too many problems shifting one of this quality should I?

What's keeping you from losing that motherboard?

I mean, you shouldn't have any problem at all selling that chip, but why not just move up in performance, and get a better motherboard? If your system boots right now, use it, and in the meantime, save up and get a better motherboard that supports the 800mhz FSB. Then, sell that old board.

Alex Cavnar, aka alc6379

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Re: Processor problem

Oct 27th, 2004

Changing the motherboard would be my preference also. Good motherboards to suit the 2.8GHz Pentium 'C' processor are quite inexpensive, and that processor you have is quite a good one as well.

There's only one small problem, though. Your RAM would need to be 400MHz PC3200 or better, and I bet it's not!

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Re: Processor problem

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Oct 27th, 2004

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Originally Posted by Catweazle

Changing the motherboard would be my preference also. Good motherboards to suit the 2.8GHz Pentium 'C' processor are quite inexpensive, and that processor you have is quite a good one as well.

Agreed! A new board would be the best idea, and you'll probably get some handy extra features in the switch.

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Originally Posted by Catweazle

There's only one small problem, though. Your RAM would need to be 400MHz PC3200 or better, and I bet it's not!

Not necessarily. Most boards would have the option to run the RAM at a slower speed, which wouldn't have that much of an impact on everyday performance. Mind you, setting it up like this would be a little trickier than simply putting in some PC3200 sticks (some messing around in the BIOS is required), and an upgrade would serve to future proof your system a bit anyway.

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