CPU speed.

[patfla]

Hi,

I confess: I've been a programmer for many yrs (and know a thing or two about hardware), but here I'm confused.

This is not only my first Thinkpad (T43 266889U 1.8 GHz P M 735) but my first laptop period.

From the forums here, discovered CHC (Centrino Hardware Control). Mostly to find out internal temperatures.

I'm looking now at CPU Speed (in CHC). My processor is rated at 1.8GHz (or was it, more exactly, 1.86 or something like that?).

Anyway what CHC tells me is:

Clock: ~800MHz Multiplier: 6X Voltage: 0.988V
Speed: Dynamic Switching.

I know that with power savings mechanisms built into newer laptops that the system can alter (mostly lower) CPU speeds (depending on load) to save power.

But more specifically can someone translate the above for me? (800MHz and 6X).

I've looked at the on-line CHC documentation (FAQs) and frankly I don't see that it answers the above question directly.

pat

[christopher_wolf]

Well, OK

The System Down-clocked itself to save on Power, I am assuming you were on Battery when you got that info, so it goes down to 800 MHz. The 6x is the Multiplier. The higher the Multiplier, the higher the Clock Speed of the CPU as it multiplies the FSB.

Dynamic Switching refers to the switching between Multipliers when the Power States change to best optimize the system for Battery Life or Performance.

HTH

[patfla]

Ah, after a little looking around I think I see.

The missing piece of information if that on PCI Express the fundamental system clock speed is 133 MHz. 6X this is 800 MHz.

It seems (as best I can make out) that PCI Express inherits this speed from PCI-X. PCI was 66 MHz.

Another point is that, given that my CPU is rated at 1.86 MHz, if I push the multiplier anywhere beyond 14X, then I'm over-clocking.

Starting to get the hang of my new (first) laptop.

And have figured out how to get the Trackpoint working the UltraNav in the way in which it would appear that it's supposed to work (where your hands essentially never leave the same position).

pat