Dell Inspiron 1150 - CPU clock

Hello again, I have a Inspiron 1150 with a Pentium 4 which is suppose to run at 2.66GHz. When I look in Windows, it shows 1.6GHz. When I look in CPU-Z, it also shows up as 1.6 GHz. How can I bring the clock up the 2.6GHz?

Also, in Speedfan, I get no CPU temperature readings. The only readings I get are the HD and Temp1. Is Temp1 supposed to be the CPU readings?

To answer any questions first hand, there shouldn't be any viruses on the computer. I just did a fresh reformat with it, and by just, I mean I just finished the install a few hours ago.

 

The low clock speed is probably just SpeedStep doing its thing. Try stressing the processor with wPrime or Super Pi and see if the CPUZ readout changes.

Speedfan doesn't always work with every single model of computer. I'm not surprised you're not getting a proper temperature readout. It doesn't work right with my Inspiron 500m either.

 

Ok, but if I disable SpeedStep, or use NHC, would that help the clock rise?

About the SpeedFan thing, I believe that before my reformat, I had a CompUSA guy also install SpeedFan and he got the CPU readings. He also said that the clock was low, but he raised it somehow. What's going on there?

 

Usually if you disable SpeedStep in the BIOS, it will lock the clock speed at the LOWEST setting, not the highest (Though not always...).

The folks a CompUSA probably installed the SpeedSTEP utility which will give you a little more flexibility with the SpeedStep throttling. I've never heard of a brick and mortar installing SpeedFAN so I'm highly skeptical that anyone at CompUSA would have done so...

 

Alright, well I have solved the problem in a way. I have now installed NHC, which tells me the HD and CPU temperatures. Also, I can now have full 2.66GHz operation when the laptop is plugged in, and it varies from 1.6GHz - 2.6GHz when on the battery. Everything is fine now!

 

You don't want it because it to stay at full throttle as it will make the laptop run really hot and make it die faster. Just leave it alone before you break it!

 

Oh, so it is better to let SpeedStep take over?

 

You should always let it throttle when you aren't going anything. There's no reason to be running the processor at full tilt whenever the computer's turned on.