My processor speed: 1.09 or 1.8 GHz?

[Gubelman]

My processor is an AMD Athlon XP 2500+ that is supposed to run at 1.8 GHz. I looked at my system properties and it said that my CPU speed was 1.09 GHz. Why is this? Is my processor not running as fast as it should be? I play PC games, and the game I play most often requires a processor that is at least 1.7 GHz. Is this why the game is so choppy? How do I fix this?

[Joe_Flanagan]

This is the one billionth time this post has been made 

When this processor is first fired up it is typically defaulted to safe (read slow) settings.
This is done by design to assure a first-time startup.

Download and run CPU-Z and tell us what processor core you have and someone will help you set it to design speed.
It's probably a Barton, but I want you to verify that.

[contrex]

I have run Bartons on more than one system.  The default clock speed of the AthlonXp 2500+ processor is 1.83 GHz. That is the speed it is meant to run at, the speed it should be run at, and the speed it ought to be run at. Any underclocking that is seen  in a newly installed cpu is due to CPU clock settings being wrong in the BIOS or to plain cpu / motherboard incompatibility. What I am saying is that contrary to what Gubelman wrote, it is not a default behaviour. It is a fault.

Please give motherboard manufacturer, model number, and BIOS version and date.

[Gubelman]

It is a Barton.

motherboard manufacturer- ASUSTeK Computer Inc., model number- N78NX2.0 REV 2.xx, and BIOS version- ASUS A78NX2.0 ACPI BIOS Rev 1010. Date- August 4th, 2004.

[contrex]

You should go into the BIOS and check the front side bus speed is 166 MHz and the cpu clock multiplier is set to 11. If not, make it so. Consult your motherboard manual for details of how to do this.

[Calum]

After you run an intensive program, is the speed still the same?
The CPU may be throttling down.

[Joe_Flanagan]

When you navigate your way into BIOS you will probably find your FSB frequency set to 100 MHz.
That would give you the CPU speed reading that you are seeing.
This is normal for a for a first startup or for a system that wasn't properly set up.

Typically, once the FSB is correctly set, the CPU will report it's design speed.

AMD AthlonXP (Barton) 2500+

CPU Speed = 1833 MHz (1.83GHz)
FSB          = 166 MHz
Multiplier    = 11.0
L2 Cache   =  512KB 

Memory Frequency:
166 MHz 

Internal System BUS Frequency:
333MHz

Check your manual for dual-channel memory support setup (if any)
Remember, that if you have to clear CMOS, your system will likely return to these so-called safe settings.

[Gubelman]

So you're saying I should overclock it? And it isn't really overclocking if I'm setting it to its design speed?

[Raptor]

Overclocking means increasing the voltage.

Setting the FSB to 166 is NOT overclocking unless the memory you are using is not designed to handle an FSB of 166...

[Gubelman]

Okay, that's what I meant. Thanks for the help.

[contrex]

Overclocking means increasing the voltage.

Overclocking means increasing the FSB
Overvolting means increasing the Vcore voltage

[Raptor]

Overclocking means increasing the voltage.

Overclocking means increasing the FSB
Overvolting means increasing the Vcore voltage

Geeh, thanks for enlightening us.

[contrex]

Overclocking means increasing the voltage.

Overclocking means increasing the FSB
Overvolting means increasing the Vcore voltage

Geeh, thanks for enlightening us.

do you have a problem with that?

[Raptor]

Overclocking means increasing the voltage.

Overclocking means increasing the FSB
Overvolting means increasing the Vcore voltage

Geeh, thanks for enlightening us.

do you have a problem with that?

Only when it comes from you.

[contrex]

What did I do?