Need some help with mobile A64

[Saist]

recently I picked up a mobile Athlon64 2800+

While my motherboard (ECS 755-A (bios 1.0b) recognizes that it's a Mobile A64 2800+, the operating speed per CPUZ and DxDiag is 800mhz.

So when I go and check out what a Mobile 2800+ is "supposed" to run at I find that it's supposed to be somewhere at 1.8ghz.

Somehow I've lost 1ghz....

Can anyone offer some help how to get the CPU to it's rated speed?

Figured I'd ask here before I go flash the bios and potentially hose the board/cpu

 

[klah]

Do you have Cool'n'Quiet enabled? This reduces the cpu from 1.8GHz@1.4V to 800MHz@0.95V during low cpu usage. Run something such as Prime95 to keep cpu usage at 100% and see if it changes.

 

[dnuggett]

It may be your FSB/multi needs to be adjusted.

 

[Dman877]

With a default multiplier of 9, there's no normal fsb that would result in 800 mhz clockspeed. Therefore, it's either your multplier isn't adjusted correctly or you have C/Q enabled and are using cpu-z during idle...

 

[Saist]

Okay, I have disabled C'n'Q.

This is what I get.


CPU-Z Report
CPU-Z version 1.21.

CPU(s)
Number of CPUs 1
Code Name ClawHammer
Specification Mobile AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 2800+
Family / Model / Stepping F 4 A
Extended Family / Model F 4
Brand ID 2
Package Socket 754
Core Stepping SH7-CG
Technology 0.13 µ
Supported Instructions Sets MMX, Extended MMX, 3DNow!, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, X86-64
CPU Clock Speed 799.8 MHz
Clock multiplier x 4.0
HTT Bus Frequency 199.9 MHz
L1 Data Cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L1 Instruction Cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Cache 1024 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Speed 799.8 MHz (Full)
L2 Location On Chip
L2 Data Prefetch Logic yes
L2 Bus Width 128 bits

Mainboard and chipset
Motherboard model SiS-755,
BIOS vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS revision 6.00 PG
BIOS release date 06/30/2004
Chipset SiS 755 rev. 1
Southbridge SiS 964 rev. 1
Sensor chip IT 0

Memory
DRAM Type DDR-SDRAM
DRAM Size 1024 MBytes
DRAM Frequency 160.0 MHz
FSBRAM CPU/5
CAS# Latency 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge 3 clocks
Cycle Time (TRAS) 7 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (TRC) 10 clocks
DRAM Idle Timer 16 clocks

Software
Windows version Microsoft Windows 2000 Workstation Service Pack 4 (Build 2195)

 

[dennisjai215]

maybe its like the athlon xp mobiles..
try correcting it urself 200x9

but i've heard that none of the motherboards support the mobile a64's yet some will run but not at its full speeds

 

[Saist]

dennis : would figure. I already fired off an email to ECS about it.

I will also mention that for some /ODD/ reason while this computer looses about half it's performance compared to a near identical ( ECS 755-A2 with standard Athlon65 2800) Doom3 is completely playable...

in 1024*768 with high detail.

I'm still trying to puzzle that one out.

 

[MDE]

Up the multiplier to 9, the mobiles default to the lowest possible multiplier.

 

[Saist]

if you could tell me how to up the multiplier I'd love to hear how to do so.

***

I also tried this on an Asus K8V deluxe with it's latest Bios (1.008) and discovered that the Asus sees the chip as a Mobile Athlon64 280 with a speed of 800mhz. However, once the processor was identified, the Asus board would not boot AT ALL.

I've come to the... somewhat conclusion... that the problem is actually in the motherboards themselves, and that I will need to wait for another Bios update in order to reach full speed on the chip.

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Saist
if you could tell me how to up the multiplier I'd love to hear how to do so.

***

I also tried this on an Asus K8V deluxe with it's latest Bios (1.008) and discovered that the Asus sees the chip as a Mobile Athlon64 280 with a speed of 800mhz. However, once the processor was identified, the Asus board would not boot AT ALL.

I've come to the... somewhat conclusion... that the problem is actually in the motherboards themselves, and that I will need to wait for another Bios update in order to reach full speed on the chip.

Try the BIOS or download Clockgen.

 

[Bar81]

The 2800+ you have is the 1.2v 512k L2 cache CPU, correct?

What you're experiencing is a typical situation with mobile A64s and motherboards. Only a select few motherboards work properly with Mobile A64 CPUs, even less with the 1.2v Mobile CPUs. Take a look at this thread for more details:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=29&threadid=1321894

 

[Saist]

the CPUZ data shows it's the 1meg L2 cache.

thanks for the threaded link though.

***

edit... and slight issue.

I have one of the boards that's supposed to work.

I got news.

the Asus K8V Deluxe DOES NOT BOOT OR CORRECTLY RECOGNIZE THE A64-M 2800 L2 1 MEG CACHE.

 

[Bar81]

Then it's the 1.4v model and it shouldn't have any problems working with in the K8V Deluxe. Did you try clearing the BIOS? As to the ECS, it does not seem to include multiplier adjustment so it looks like you're SOL unless ECS are kind enough to upgrade the microcode in the BIOS and given my experiences with their "tech support" I would be surprised if they do.

 

[Saist]

Bar : I tried, even updating to the most recent version off Asus's site.

The board sees it as an Athlon64 Mobile 280 and locks down to 800mhz.

That's after clearing the Bios. When I hit save and reset, the board will no longer post. AT ALL.

 

[Bar81]

Very strange. So it boots up at 800mhz (4x multiplier) and allows you to enter the BIOS right? If so, did you change the multiplier *and* voltage of the CPU before saving and exiting?

 

[Saist]

I'll give it a go.

 

[MDE]

ClockGen lets me change the multiplier on the Mobile 3000+ in my laptop...