2.2Ghz Laptop slow compared to 1.8Ghz desktop

[dasantillo]

I contacted technical support on the live chat about this yesterday - very quick response. I've read the info I was sent, but I'm still not convinced my laptop is working correctly.

I've just bought a Maxfire with AMD Turion MT40 2.2Ghz. My desktop is a 1.8Ghz AMD Barton.

I ran the exact same process on each simulataneously (converting a 13 megapixel RAW file to TIFF image) and the laptop was significantly slower than the desktop. I'm pretty sure the laptop should have been the faster one.

I'm using the software SwitchXP which was recommended on the forum here - it tells me the maximum processor speed is 800Mhz and AMDs CPU monitoring program also says its running at 800Mhz. I have the latest drivers installed from their website.

I would appreciate any suggestions about this as I am feeling a bit frustrated by this.

The other thing I've noticed is the CPU fan is on all the time and even when I've switched this off, the battery doesn't last that long - it went from full to 33% over 1 hour and 20 mins of usage. Is that normal?

Thanks for any help and suggestions - hopefully, someone will tell me I'm being dumb and there isn't a problem - esp. because I've spent 2 days getting all my stuff onto the laptop :-/

Kind Regards

Dan

Other Info:
Sales Order Number: SO/3800483
Stock Code: NNB-360
Serial Number: 7085065-002

[Coops]

AMD Mobile cpu working by clocking the CPU voltage and Speed dynamically based on requirements. This is to save power and also lower the temperature of the CPU core.

In order for this to work correctly you must have the AMD power now or CPU driver installed. When you installed Windows did you install this?

[dasantillo]

Hi, thanks for the response.

I installed the latest driver from here: http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/Tec ... 49,00.html (http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_13349,00.html)

I selected the one with the description "AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology Driver for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Version (exe) 1.2.2. - Allows the system to automatically adjust the CPU speed, voltage and power combination that match the instantaneous user performance need. Download this Setup Installation program (EXE) to automatically update all the files necessary for installation. This package is recommended for users whom desire a graphical user interface for installation. This .EXE driver is a user friendly localized software installation of the driver designed for end-users. This driver supports AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology on Windows 32 bit OS."

Under the Device Manager, the processor is listed as using amdK8.sys and the driver date is 26/10/2004; Version 1.2.2.0

I'm running Windows XP Home, SP2.

Does this look correct?

Kind Regards

Dan.

[Coops]

Ok that looks about right. CPU will system idle will show 800mhz, this is AMD's default low end speed.
The other thing to check is that you have your power scheme under power options in the control panel set to mobile laptop. This will allow the AMD power management to operate the CPU dynamic change correctly.
I should also point out for interest only you can also stop CPU from reducing speed and voltage here by changing power scheme to presentation for example which will disable AMD power technology.

Also what is the ful spec of your PC, HDD access time, the amount of RAM each system has, background apps will all affect how long a PC takes to render a file. Was laptop running on mains or battery at the time?

[dasantillo]

I've checked and the power scheme is set to mobile laptop. The laptop was running on mains at the time.

Below is more information - the Process refers to what is shown in Task Manager when processed the RAW photo to TIFF.

Laptop
New install with only a few apps, 1Gb RAM
Background apps: Outlook, Opera
Process: CPU: 99%; Mem Usage: peaked at 170Mb (500Mb free during)

Desktop
Old install (2 years) with lots of junk, 2Gb RAM
Background apps: Opera, Photoshop.
Motherboard Bundle MBB-KT4255 with Athalon XP2500+ 1.8Ghz
Hard Drives (5) are all Seagate Barracuda ATA100 on 2 separate ATA133 controllers.
The main system came from you (I'm a loyal customer :-))
Process: CPU: 98%; Mem Usage: peaked at 200Mb (1500Mb free during)

Below is a screenshot showing cpu and voltage during idle:
http://www.pbase.com/dasantillo/image/58545468.jpg
Or it can be seen here: http://www.pbase.com/dasantillo/image/58545468.jpg
It doesn't change when processing the photo.

Using the above software, I increased the CPU speed to 2Ghz (clock ratio of 10), the voltage went to 1.35v and the laptop was quicker than the desktop running the same test.

It just doesn't seem to be happening dynamically for some reason.

[djgandy]

Run SuperPi http://www.xtremesystems.com/pi/
Select 1M
Post your score.

Mine is 50 seconds on a MT34.
My desktop is a xp2800 barton (2083mhz) and is about the same score.

If you're score is miles off that then i'd guess your cpu isn't adjusting.

[dasantillo]

The MT40 laptop returns a value of 1m 42s
The xp2500+ barton desktop returns a value of 1m 10s

I think this implies the laptop isn't doing what it should...

I forced the laptop processor to be 2Ghz and the value was 45s, which is far more reasonable.

And suggestions what I should do?

Many thanks.

Kind Regards

Dan.

[djgandy]

I'm not sure what you can do :(

It must be something to do with AMD power now.
If you live near novatech i'd drop by the tech desk and ask them to have a look.

[beardyman]

I agree with the above.

CPU sounds like its not adjusting as the load increases.

[dasantillo]

Unfortunately, I live in South Wales so not really close enough. It looks like I'll have to send it back and get them to check it out :-(

Luckily, I got the two year care thing with it so they should pay for the postage - hopefully.

I'll give them a call on Tuesday.

Thanks for your help.

Dan.

[dasantillo]

I've recevied my replacement and that is actually worse.

Again, the CPU refuses to go above 800Mhz. In fact, it dips to 700Mhz when CPU is running at 100% flat out!

The test I ran on the old laptop returned 1m 42s - this new one returns 1m 46s.... It should be around 40s ish.

I think I'm going to give up and ask for a full refund - the hassle just isn't worth it :-(

[djgandy]

Did it come with the o/s pre-installed?

[dasantillo]

Did it come with the o/s pre-installed?

No it didn't as I already had Windows. I installed XP SP2 and the latest drivers, but no joy. It's on its way back now and a full refund will follow.

KR

Dan.

[dasantillo]

In conlcusion to all this, Novatech have refunded me and I'm happy. Thank you Novatech for being so good about it all.