Member Avatar for sepand

I have a Pentium M 1.7Ghz laptop, but when I opened a game to play it said I didn't have the minimum system requirements, and the only requirement that i didn't meed was the processor speed. It said the game requires 1.4ghz, whereas I have 0.8ghz. Is it possible that I have a 1.7ghz but for some reason have messed up somewhere and changed a system setup and am now running on 0.8?

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Dani AI

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Short answer: this is almost certainly normal laptop behavior — the CPU will downclock when idle and ramp up under load, and some installers or games read the instantaneous clock rather than the chip's rated/max speed. 's readings (low when idle, high under load) point to dynamic frequency scaling; and were right to suggest checking what the system reports and to look at firmware/power settings.

What to do next (practical steps)

  • Confirm the processor model and its rated max speed with a trusted hardware-info tool, then observe the current clock while stressing the CPU briefly to see it climb to its rated speed.
  • Force the laptop into full performance while testing: plug into AC, pick the high-performance power profile, and set the processor power-management maximum to 100% so the OS won’t hold the core at a reduced state.
  • If the game still fails its check, update BIOS/chipset drivers and look in the BIOS for any CPU power-management option (SpeedStep/EIST or similar) — only change these if comfortable and aware of battery/heat tradeoffs.

Why games sometimes complain

  • Many installers check the instantaneous reported clock or a registry field rather than the advertised max frequency, so a sleeping CPU can look "too slow." Some checks are also simplistic and can be fooled by temporary clock changes.

References and cautions

  • Read about dynamic CPU scaling and vendor implementations for background: Dynamic frequency scaling and .
  • Do not disable power-management permanently unless you understand the battery and thermal implications. If further help is needed, post the exact installer error and a copy of the hardware-info output so suggestions can be tailored.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for dcc

Download SIW and see what it lists for your CPU.

Member Avatar for sepand

Does that progrma tell me what I HAVE or what I'm running on? Because I know I have a 1.7 M. I'm just wondering if I've somehow "underclocked" it (if there is such a term).

Also, how do you access the BIOS upon startup? Is it delete, F12, F2, etc?

Member Avatar for dcc

This utility will tell you more about your CPU than you can probably imagine. Try it, it's free, you'll like it.

To enter the BIOS, at the start up start pressing the delete key. The F keys are usually used to access safe mode.

Member Avatar for caperjack

f2 to access bios on ibm,compaqs,gatesways ,dell and such .

Also here is a free program that will tell you what the cpu is running at ,changes numbers right before your eyes .as you watch
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA002374/src/download.html

unzip the program into a folder of its own ,it runs from the folder no need to install.with the program open go to tweaks in the top tool bar ,and click on real time clock checker .

PS ,safe program i have been using it for years now .

Member Avatar for dcc

I stand corrected regarding the key to access the BIOS, I ain't never had wona them factory type built machines.

I had forgotten about CWPUID, good program. I did try your link and couldn't get either or the programs to download from there. I was able to download it from Major Geeks.

Member Avatar for sepand

I was able to download it. When idle, my CPU's running at 598Mhz, and when active, it goes up to 1694.49. I don't know what that stupid game was telling me.

And DELETE doesn't bring the BIOS, neither does F2. It says press F12 to access ROM, but that's different, no?

Member Avatar for caperjack

did you hit the f12 to see what it does!

Member Avatar for caperjack

I stand corrected regarding the key to access the BIOS, I ain't never had wona them factory type built machines.

I had forgotten about CWPUID, good program. I did try your link and couldn't get either or the programs to download from there. I was able to download it from Major Geeks.

just click on the WCPUID330.exe and it will download .

Member Avatar for dcc

Hu Caperjack, I feel like I'm busting in on someone elses thread here...but. The link that you provided takes me to the site with two options highlighted, wcpu330.exe . 268,491 Byte Win32
wcpu330.exe . From VECTOR(FTP) Win32. Neither one will download.

For me it's a moot point as I can and did get the download from Major Geeks. I was just wondering if anyone else was having a problem with it.

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