Why does my computer CPU show lower speed in system properties?

Question

Why does my computer CPU show lower speed in system properties?
I have an Intel P4 2.6 GHz, but in system properties it shows 2.6 GHz and under that it says 1.89 GHz. What's the problem?

Answer 1

It is very likely that your processor is designed to run on a higher fsb, say 800mHz BUT it was installed on a motherboard that is capable of 533mHz fsb. It may have been tried to overclock to 2.6gHz but reached only 1.89gHz. The full potential of your processor can only be realized in a higher fsb board.

Answer 2

Is this on a desktop or a laptop? Some mobile processors support CPU throttling and in these cases when you are on battery, then the CPU clock will adjust to conserve power. When you check in the System Properties it will often show a much lower speed than the CPU is capable of.



If it's on a desktop, then maybe it is running underclocked. Is your BIOS reporting the correct clock speed? Also your motherboard BIOS might need an update to support the CPU if it is newer than the last firmware update on the motherboard. Just some suggestions.





If the CPU worked on another system then I would suspect it's an incorrect clock speed setting in your BIOS or more likely the CPU isn't supported by the board and your motherboard just needs a firmware update to detect it.

Answer 3

I do know that intel change the bus multiplier when the cpu is not fully load. Mine is 2.67Ghz dual core with 10x multiplier. When I don't use it a full load, the system set it at 6x multiplier to save energy so I run at 1.6 Ghz.



If it is not your case, maybe you forgot that you have underclock it 2 months ago o_o.....



Also, maybe you just did not know you never had a 2.6 in the first place :).

Answer 4

Ehm..

The first thing to do to speed up pc and get rid of malwares and viruses is cleaning the registry with a program like CCLeaner http://j.mp/UrAJQt

It's a very good program and easy to use.

Have a nice day

Answer 5

The P4 2.6 GHZ is the top speed of your processor.



The 1.89 GHZ is what its detected as currently running at speed wise.



Usually this just means it is idle. Possibly you tried to overclock your machine and its going slower to work with the clock options.



Usually its just fine, and it doesnt really mean much.

Answer 6

First, im not sure how windows actually determines that, but it may be the current speed its running at. Second, it may either be you were ripped off, or the speed is actually limited, either by the motherboard, or some settings.

Answer 7

check in control panel and power options to see if it is set to slow the cpu down when not in use, it should be set to office/desktop unless it is a laptop in which case if it is set as laptop or battery saver, and will reduce the power output. my laptop does this and when on battey it reduces the power output quite a bit

Answer 8

Download a program called CPU-Z and see if says the same thing. (Trust CPU-Z more)

Answer 9

You got ripped off.