Intel T9900 undervolting with pinmod

[zoltan87]

So I managed to get an intel T9900 cpu to work in my T601 Frankenpad build. I used a small wire to connect B23 (BSEL [1]) to A20 (VCC) on the cpu socket. And the processor works perfectly in the laptop, although with lower max frequency (2.3 ghz instead of 3.06 ghz) because of the 800 mhz fsb (not 1066 mhz as the processor was designed for).

I don't mind the speed loss as the main reason for this upgrade was the lower power consumption and heat output. And here is my issue.
I can run the cpu on all multipliers on 0.900 volt perfectly stable, which is great. But that is the minimum allowed voltage, i can't go below that. So even if I change the voltage in CPUgenie (a program I use for undervolting) lower than 0.900 v, and it shows that lower voltage, the real cpu voltage won't go below 0.900 volt, I checked it with cpu-z.

There is a pin mod that should enable you to lower the voltages by 0.200 v if you connect AE3 (VID[4]) to the closest VCC, which is AD7. I tried to do this, but I had no success. I tried out multiple wires to make sure a damaged wire/ insufficient contact wasn't the problem, but I couldn't achieve the undervolt. In fact nothing happened.

The data sheet for the pinout is from March 2009 for 45 nm Core 2 cpus, so I don't think i got the pin locations wrong, and also the BSEL[1] pin mod has worked just fine allowing me to use this processor in my T601.

What could be the problem? Is it possible that the Intel T9900 have these VID[4] and VCC pins at a different location?

EDIT: Well, looks like my pin mod might have just worked, even though CPU-Z doesn't show it. Previously I could lower the voltage on the highest 11.5 multiplier to 0.9 volt, but now my laptop completely locks up if I do that. In fact the lowest stable voltage on that multiplier now is 1.1 volt, and that would be exactly 0.9 volt (1.1 - 0.2) if the undervolting pin mod was in effect.

Also the temperatures during stress test indicate a successful pin mod. So I just need to find an other program, that could read the real cpu voltages. Really looking forward to doing more tests tomorrow on all the multipliers.

[Screamer]

The 800MT/s and 1066MT/s Socket P processors do not have any differences in regards to their pin-outs, as far as I know.

Unfortunately, there is no such program that reads the actual voltage input being fed to the processor. Although while CPU-Z is able to do this, it is only on certain laptops that has a sensor which reads the processor's voltage input. If that sensor is not found on the motherboard, CPU-Z will instead, use the 'Core VID' way of checking the processor's voltage input. This means the theoretical voltage reading, not the actual voltage reading (eg: VID is 1.450v, but you are getting 1.436v instead).

You would have to manually calculate, or refer to the voltage identification table to see how much voltage you are actually requesting.

EDIT: I think I was a little unclear, since there are programs that do read the processor's voltage input (SpeedFan). This is done by reading one of the registers found on the SuperIO chip, but SpeedFan and CPU-Z apparently do not have any support for most of the SuperIO chips found on the ThinkPad line.

[storm-chaser]

Have you tried ThrottleStop for voltage adjustments? I don't recall if that would work for undervolting, but it might be worth a shot.

[zoltan87]

Have you tried ThrottleStop for voltage adjustments? I don't recall if that would work for undervolting, but it might be worth a shot.

It turned out that my undervolting with pin mod has succeeded, the stress tests prove it. So even though I can't see the real voltages, I know that they are in effect. because of the lower temperatures I have.

An other way of knowing, if I change the voltage from 1.1 v to 1.112 v in CPUGenie, then I get an about 13 degrees temp rise in the stress test. That's because of this pin mod all the voltages between 0.9125 v and 1.1000 v are unavailable. So if I set the voltage to 1.1, then my real voltage is 1.1-0.2=0.9 v, but if I set it to 1.112, then I will get 1.112 v (as 1.112-0.2=0.912 v is unavailable).

Here are the voltages I use with the T9900 in my T601 build:

Multiplier----Voltage in CPUGenie-------------Real voltage (that I can't see)
x6(super LFM)--0.9 (hard limit of the cpu)--0.7
x6----------------0.937---------------------------0.737
x6.5-------------0.95-----------------------------0.75
x7---------------0.962----------------------------0.762

(etc.)

x11.5----------1.1-------------------------------0.9

I also used a small program that calculates the TDP of processors, if you know the original (design) TDP value, original voltage and frequency, adjusted voltage and adjusted frequency. My T9900 processor with the new values has an 18 Watt TDP, so effectively I have an ULV processor in my Frankenpad .

EDIT: If anyone is interested, here is a link for the pin mod, where I red about it first:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads ... -2.365230/

[Lister]

Hi,
what are the temperatures in IDLE and the load and at what fan speed? I use the 32bit Windows most often for testing system, IBM_ECW is working well, which I use to undervolting the CPU. Do you use a nvidia or Intel graphics card? TDP 18W looks great , I'm waiting now for the P9700 processor. Thanks.

[zoltan87]

Hi,
what are the temperatures in IDLE and the load and at what fan speed? I use the 32bit Windows most often for testing system, IBM_ECW is working well, which I use to undervolting the CPU. Do you use a nvidia or Intel graphics card? TDP 18W looks great , I'm waiting now for the P9700 processor. Thanks.

Sorry about not coming back with an answer, I really need to pay more attention for notifications (although I don't think I got one for this, but I might have just missed it), I keep missing threads.

Anyway pretty sure you have moved on with your project, still here is some info:

My Frankenpad has an Nvidia NVS140m board in it, T500 heatsink (the one with double heat pipe on cpu), and it has a modified embedded controller file, which changed the factory fan rpm values to significantly lower: 1700 rpm, 1900 rpm and 2400 rpm if I remember correctly. I still use my T60 as a daily driver, but will dug up my T601 Frankie in a few days, as I wanted to do some stuff on it. Then will run some temperature tests/benchmarks.

I would actually be really interested in your experience with that P9700 processor in your laptop.

[Lister]

Hi, I'm sorry for the late answer, I didn't see your CPU P9700 question alert. I tried the P9700 briefly, did some tests and compared it to the T9900. My request has always been for the quietest and coolest Frankenpad. That's why I bought a P9700 that has a slightly lower operating frequency but also a lower TDP (25W). First I made the board modification using BSEL mod and started testing. The processor was operated at 2.1GHz @ 0.9V - 0.6GHz @ 0.875V. Amazing, so cold and quiet my Frankenpad has never been. Unfortunately, compared to the T9300, I lacked performance in some situations (watching DVB-T2 TV). Therefore, I decided to buy the T9900, which with the help of BSEL mod can run at 2.3GHz @ 0.9V. In addition, 200MHz was enough for me, and based on your experience, On the Internet, I found an Excel table that can be used to convert the actual voltage into various VID values. So I decided to try undervolting with VID4. Both the P9700 and T9900 can handle the same voltages for other multipliers, but the P9700 can only run at 2.1GHz. Now the actual voltage values are from 0.713V to 0.9. Note that when using VID4, the lowest possible true voltage is 0.713V when the voltage is set to 0.7V The CPU is running at 0.9V! I made adjustments on both Intel and nVidia graphics systems. For both units, I also reduced the fan speed using a modified EC file (thank you again for providing it) and both systems can now be safely operated with reduced fan speed. The Intel graphics system is now completely silent and temperatures are around 55 °C at 1800 rpm. At full CPU load and 2500 rpm fan speed, the CPU temperature is 65 °C. The nVidia graphics system has temperatures about 10-15 ° C worse, so I decided to return to the factory fan speed. Now the full load temperatures are 65 °C at a fan speed of 3000 rpm. A few weeks ago, I ran 266 fsb mod on Intel and ran both processors. With the P9700, you may have a lower lowest voltage (0.875V), but otherwise it is worse compared to the T9900. With the same multiplier, the P9700 always needs higher voltages and is also unable to run at 3GHz. I also tried the X9100, but it is too hot processor, my bit handles the lowest voltage of 1.05V for multiplier x6. I think the best processor for the T601 frankenpad is the T9900. Performance is sufficient at low temperatures and low consumption. I am sorry for my english.

Have a nice day and good health!

[zoltan87]

Interesting finds, I had been thinking about the P9700 processor because of the lower TDP too, but then I dropped the idea when I managed to find a T9900. Although my particular unit is not stable at 0.9V on it's max multiplier in my T601 Frankenpad, so I disabled that in CPU Genie (the program I use for undervolting and cpu control). 2.2 GHz is still plenty good for me.

You mentioned your Frankie with the NVidia gpu running a lot warmer than the Intel integrated one. Have you tried to use one of those modded BIOSes that undervolts the GPU? I think by factory default the Nvidia chip uses 1.1 - 1.15V depending on usage. The BIOS version that turned out to be stable on my Frankie is the 1V version for the gpu (there are two other variants, 0.9V and 0.95V, but none of them are stable under stress). The integrated graphics version will be obviously still cooler, but undervolting can certainly help with the Nvidia chip, the same way it does with processors.

I would probably build an other T9900 equipped Frankenpad too, but sourcing these processors in a reasonable price is pretty much impossible. I have a thread on this forum from a while ago, where I discussed my experiences with fake CPUs from eBay. And as recently as about 3 weeks ago I got scammed on eBay AGAIN with one of those T9900 processors. This time the printing looked legit, no bent legs, but when i installed it, the laptop just couldn't boot or even switch on. Tried it in multiple laptops, same result every time. The seller is not even responding now, so will need to find a solution with the eBay staff. So I would say it to anyone thinking about buying one of these processors that be prepared for a less than 50% success rate. Which in my book is unacceptable. From the four times I purchased a T9900 processor only 1 of them worked!! Even if you end up getting a refund, you will be wasting so much time messaging back and forth, packing the cpu up and posting it back, that it's just not worth the hassle.

[Lister]

Yes, i have my nVidia GPU undervolted to 0,9V, stock voltage is 1,2V, unfortunately with fan speed reduced to 1800, 2000 and 2500 rpm and the CPU full load, temperatures are too high. After one hour of full CPU load (1080p DVT2 TV playing) are temperatures reach 77 °C, from 77°C run fan at maximum speed and it is just too loud. That's why I restore fan speed back to the factory settings. Now the full load temperatures are 65 °C at a fan speed of 3000 rpm. Both my T9900 processor are stable at 2,3GHz and 0,9V, but they are not equally stable at lower frequencies. For example. First T9900 is stable at 1600Mhz@0.775V and 1200MHz@0.738V is unstable, the second T9900 is unstable at 1600Mhz@0.775V but 1200MHz@0.738V is stable. I am currently testing system with Intel GPU and with 266FSB mod. At full CPU load (2926MHz @ 1.038V), the device reaches temperatures around 70 °C at 2500rpm. I also had stability problems, after long attempts and looking for the cause of accidental system crashes, I found that the Atheros AR9380 wifi card is causing the problem, so I returned to the original Intel 4965 card, now is all right.

EDIT:
What do you software use to undervolt CPU? I have the best experience with IBM_ECW.

[zoltan87]

Yes, i have my nVidia GPU undervolted to 0,9V, stock voltage is 1,2V, unfortunately with fan speed reduced to 1800, 2000 and 2500 rpm and the CPU full load, temperatures are too high. After one hour of full CPU load (1080p DVT2 TV playing) are temperatures reach 77 °C, from 77°C run fan at maximum speed and it is just too loud. That's why I restore fan speed back to the factory settings. Now the full load temperatures are 65 °C at a fan speed of 3000 rpm. Both my T9900 processor are stable at 2,3GHz and 0,9V, but they are not equally stable at lower frequencies. For example. First T9900 is stable at 1600Mhz@0.775V and 1200MHz@0.738V is unstable, the second T9900 is unstable at 1600Mhz@0.775V but 1200MHz@0.738V is stable. I am currently testing system with Intel GPU and with 266FSB mod. At full CPU load (2926MHz @ 1.038V), the device reaches temperatures around 70 °C at 2500rpm. I also had stability problems, after long attempts and looking for the cause of accidental system crashes, I found that the Atheros AR9380 wifi card is causing the problem, so I returned to the original Intel 4965 card, now is all right.

EDIT:
What do you software use to undervolt CPU? I have the best experience with IBM_ECW.

When I stress tested my T9900 it also stayed stable 2300Mhz at 0.9V and 1600Mhz at 0.775V for a while, so first I left it like that. But after some time I remember having a pretty big model open in Solidworks (CAD program) and the computer completely hung up (or had a blue screen, I can't remember now). So I concluded that probably the CPU caused it (last time I had those issues I was still using Win 98), bumped all the voltages up by one step, disabled the highest multiplier, and my laptop has been stable ever since. Although it's still only a secondary machine, I still mainly use my T60.

I use CPU Genie for cpu control, almost nobody knows it. I tried to use RM clock first, but it didn't support 64 bit operating systems, so I searched for an alternative. I found out about IBM_ECW only later. I might will give it a try in the future sometime, I have heard from multiple sources now that that's the best solution.

[Lister]

Do you use T60 with ATI graphic card with modified or stock fan speed?

[zoltan87]

Do you use T60 with ATI graphic card with modified or stock fan speed?

T60 with Ati X1400 and Intel T7600 processor (undervolted), with modified lower fan speeds. But I swapped the original heatsink assembly out to a T500 one, that has double heatpipes going to the cpu.

[Lister]

What are CPU and GPU temperatures in Idle and in load? Can you try Furmark?

[zoltan87]

In idle they are in the 40s, under load it goes up into the upper 70s easily, but I usually ran the cpu at 2000 Mhz max at 0.95 V, so it stays in the higher 60s under load.