[ntomer]

Hi,

I have the following configuration -

Processor Intel E8400 - 3.0 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 Cache
Motherboard DG31PR - Intel G31 Chipset, 1333 MHz FSB
RAM - Kingston 2*1GB DDR2 800 MHz
Graphics Card - XFX 7900GS, 256 MB DDR3
HDD Seagate - 500GB, Sata2, 7200.12, 32 MB Buffer
Power Supply - Corasair 450W

I run Windows XP SP3 and Windows 7 on this desktop. Yesterday I ran CPU-Z out of the blue on this desktop and found this - (please refer to first image in attachments; I am not able to insert it here)

It is showing one core and that too is running on 2000 MHz. I suspected it to be some BIOS configuration and explored the BIOS settings. There is I found one setting - SW Single Processor Mode, which was enabled. I disabled it and restarted the desktop.

Both XP and 7, detected the new hardware and installed it's driver, but CPU-Z still showed one core, running at 2000 MHz.

Does this mean that my desktop is not running optimally? And if not, what must I do to make it do so?

Here are the other CPU-Z screens - (please see screen-shot below)


Please also tell me whether I have any issues in replacing the 7900GS card with a ATI 5770?

Cheers

Nitin

[gopalnayak]

I think it is due to SpeedStep technology. The processor reduces the speed automatically when it is not doing much work. Start some program which uses the CPU heavily (e.g. audio/video encoding) and run this tool during that time. I am sure you will see a 3GHz rating.
Alternately, BIOS might have an option to disable speedstep. You can disable it and run the tool again. However, I recommend keeping this option enabled to keep the power consumption low.

[ph03n!x]

Look at the value for multiplier - 6x is the least multiplier for the Speedstep. So the processor speed will be 6 multiplied by 333.3 (Bus speed). With this window open, try doing something processor intensive like encoding a WAV to MP3 or DVD to DivX- and the multiplier should change to 9, and processor speed will get to 9 x 333.3

[ntomer]

Thanks guys. I understood that processor is running at the optimum speed, not the maximum one. I will run a heavy application tonight, and check the processor-rating again.

Now what should I do with that "SW Single Processor Mode"? It was enabled earlier, but I disabled it. What should be it's correct configuration - turned on or off?

Nitin

[black12rr]

^^ then whats the use of getting core 2 ? , turn ON both and enable speed step .That should be fine .

[StreetAddict]

Both the CPU cores & SpeedStep are enabled by default when installed out of the box. One core should have not been disabled in BIOS in the first place unless your installer goofed up. Try downloading other utility software (Intel provides it's own utility program but I was unable to find that for DG31PR) & see if you get the same info from that as well

Last resort, try upgrading/flashing the BIOS. But Only do it if you know what you are doing.

[ntomer]

Thanks Guys,

Now please answer the other question regarding graphics card. I did a bit of googling and found that many people are recommending 4870 over 5770; both roughly cost the same.

Which of these two do you suggest? And will my PSU be able to support both?

Thanks

Nitin

[StreetAddict]

Originally Posted by ntomer

Thanks Guys,

Now please answer the other question regarding graphics card. I did a bit of googling and found that many people are recommending 4870 over 5770; both roughly cost the same.

5770 is only about 10% slower then 4870 but is more power-efficient, runs cooler, supports DX11 & has better features.

OT: I would have gone for an nVidia card due to the PhysX factor !

[d3mon]

As you already have a gfx card, you can wait for nvidia's answer in the form of Fermi(GT300) to be out in november. Will probably be out of your budget, but will send tremors in the entire industry, driving prices down

[mathewpn]

To my knowledge, you co annot disable the second core in a core 2 duo processor. In CPU-Z also it is showing 2 cores. you can see at the bottom. It is showing as 1 processor, 2 cores/processor, 2 threads per core. So it is definitely 1 Core 2 Duo processor. The clock speed , as it was already pointed out earlier, due the multiplier value. If you can disable speedstep in BIOS, you will get 3GHz throughout but at a cost of power utilization.

[ntomer]

Finally I have decided to go for Palit GTX 260 Sonic 216P. But this card requires 2 PCI-E 6-pins connector and my Corsair VX450W have only one. So I will have to use one Molex converter.

Will this be a problem?

Thanks

Nitin

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by ntomer

Finally I have decided to go for Palit GTX 260 Sonic 216P. But this card requires 2 PCI-E 6-pins connector and my Corsair VX450W have only one. So I will have to use one Molex converter.

Will this be a problem?

Thanks

Nitin

Its matter of how much your PSU can give out. Fact is, if the PSU is strong enough then you need not worry.

Try this link and to be in the safe margin, the best shot is to have 80% of rated output of PSU as the real output. In your case, I think 360W is safe limit, but as your PSU is from realible brand, 410-420W max is what I think load can be given to PSU.
Antec Power Supply Calculator

[ntomer]

Hi,

Reviving a very old thread.

I have a 5770 graphics card running in my desktop. The motherboard (DG31PR ) specifications say:

1 PCI Express x16 graphics connector
1 PCI Express x1 connector
2 PCI connectors

I want to put an Asus Xonar Essence sound card in it. Should I go for PCI or PCIe version? And would it be wise to invest 11K on a 5 years old desktop? Though it still behaves impeccably and is more than sufficient for the kind of usage it undergoes.

Thanks

Nitin

[reignofchaos]

Either should work. However the PCI-E version will be more future proof as most modern motherboards are ditching old school PCI.