Processor Conflict

[KEM]

I'm looking for some clarification/help here. I have a laptop (Acer) that
came with an AMD Sempron 2800+, Windows Home Edition and 256 Mb of RAM. The
BIOS confirms the processor saying that it's a 2800+ and has a clock speed
of 1600 MHz. Also that there are 256 Mb and 64 of those are siphoned off
for video RAM leaving 192 Mb. However, when I open the "system properties"
window, That says "Mobile AMD Sempron Processor 2800+, 800 MHz, 192 MB of
RAM". Of course, I don't have an issue with the 192 MB of RAM but why does
it say 800 MHz? Is that something other than clock sped of the processor?
It runs like 800 MHz. I have a 1600+ in a desktop and the laptop is not
even close to operating at par compared to the desktop. There are no
tweaking opportunities in the BIOS to turn up the processor speed. I
realize I could use more RAM but what gives on the processor speed?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Mobile processors 'rise' to the occasion when required.. they are designed
to be able to run at lesser speed if all of the processor capability is not
needed for the job in hand..

Saves on battery usage..

 

[John R Weiss]

I'm looking for some clarification/help here. I have a laptop (Acer) that
came with an AMD Sempron 2800+, Windows Home Edition and 256 Mb of RAM. The
BIOS confirms the processor saying that it's a 2800+ and has a clock speed of
1600 MHz. Also that there are 256 Mb and 64 of those are siphoned off for
video RAM leaving 192 Mb. However, when I open the "system properties"
window, That says "Mobile AMD Sempron Processor 2800+, 800 MHz, 192 MB of
RAM". Of course, I don't have an issue with the 192 MB of RAM but why does it
say 800 MHz? Is that something other than clock sped of the processor? It
runs like 800 MHz.

There may be 2 or 3 issues here:

In either the BIOS or the Power Options in the Control Panel, the CPU may be
set at the lower speed often used for battery options. Check both places, then
confirm after booting on battery power and on AC power.

192 MB is marginal for good performance with Win XP. If you can add RAM for
512 MB total, you may see a marked increase in performance.

Cheap laptops also come with cheap 4200 RPM HDs. They are inherently MUCH
slower than 5600 or 7200 RPM HDs, and this is exacerbated if you have relatively
little RAM, forcing the machine to use the swapfile on HD. I replaced a 4200
RPM HD on my agonizingly slow HP laptop with a 7200 RPM HD, and it was like a
new machine (I already had 512 MB RAM)!

 

[KEM]

John, Great information! I can't figure the processor thing out. There is
nowhere in the BIOS or power options to tweak the processor speed. Its a
plain-jane BIOS and as far as the processor's concerned, it (BIOS) just says
what's there; no adjustments. I copied these specs from the Acer web site
if it helps:

"Microsoft® Windows® XP Home; Mobile AMD SempronT Processor 2800+ (256KB L2
cache, 1.60GHz, up to 1600MHz system bus); 256MB (256/0) DDR333 SDRAM; 40GB
hard drive; integrated CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive; 15.0" XGA (1024X768) TFT
display; SiSM760GX chipset with integrated MirageT2 graphics; 802.11b/g
WLAN, 10/100 LAN, V.92 modem"

I don't know why windows XP only identifies it as 800 MHz. Understood on
the RAM, thanks for the insight. On the HD, is there a way to identify what
I have in here now (RPM-wise)? I looked in the device manager and couldn't
find anything. This is just a cheap laptop that I bought to get out of the
home office. I don't really expect much out of it but it seems to be
running incredibly slow compared to my desktop that has a 1.3 GHz AMD
processor. Thanks again for your advice.

Kenny McClure

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

I'm looking for some clarification/help here. I have a laptop (Acer) that
came with an AMD Sempron 2800+, Windows Home Edition and 256 Mb of RAM.
The BIOS confirms the processor saying that it's a 2800+ and has a clock
speed of 1600 MHz. Also that there are 256 Mb and 64 of those are
siphoned off for video RAM leaving 192 Mb. However, when I open the
"system properties" window, That says "Mobile AMD Sempron Processor 2800+,
800 MHz, 192 MB of RAM". Of course, I don't have an issue with the 192 MB
of RAM but why does it say 800 MHz? Is that something other than clock
sped of the processor? It runs like 800 MHz. I have a 1600+ in a desktop
and the laptop is not even close to operating at par compared to the
desktop. There are no tweaking opportunities in the BIOS to turn up the
processor speed. I realize I could use more RAM but what gives on the
processor speed?

With Powernow! technology, the AMD processor will adjust both processor core
frequency and core voltage to the demand. It will adjust seamlessly in real
time. What you are seeing is normal for a computer at idle.

Bobby