So for the past month my computer hasn't been working correctly, first I thought It was the video card because it lagged on HD video, but not I've found out that it's my multiplier. I've got a 3.4 Ghz Pentium 4 650 at 200 Mhz with a 17x multiplier. I've just found out that for the past month it's beet running at 2.8 Ghz with a 14x multiplier. I've tried to chance it through ASUS Ai booster, but It just keeps going back to 14. I've updated my BIOS, but It still doesn't want to work. I've got the proper voltage for the CPU, and it's within normal temp. range. Hopefully it's not broken, because that wouldn't be surprising.
It'll be EIST. Turn it off in the BIOS and it'll stay at 17x multi. However, the CPU multiplier will go back up the instant the CPU goes under load, so it won't be negatively affecting performance, but it'll reduce power consumption and heat when the PC's not in use. It's not something you need to worry about, however if you really want to, it's a simple setting changed in the BIOS.
I turned off Speedstep, but the multiplier still alternates, and whatever is controlling it isn't doing a very good job. It lowers the multiplier during games, which causes massive lag spikes. Is there any other reason that the computer would be doing this?
open CPUz... WITH a 3rd party app running which requires a high CPU load. FYI p4s suck power, I'd leave the power saving features on as much as possible.
How do you know that it's lowering the multiplier in game? I'd say your lag spikes are more likely caused by something else, and it just happens to be a coincidence you noticed EIST at the same time you were trying to diagnose what was causing the lag. Hit up Orthos Prime. Run it for a few seconds and it'll straight away bump your CPU back up to full multi.
You can't lower the multiplier while in a game, unless you tell it to lower the multiplier while the other system components are using moar power, which seems stupid, but yes. Mine makes it go up when it's under heavy load, not down. So I have no idea. It might also be that your running a P4, which means your ram sucks and so do most of your computer components.
First off, what graphics card do you have, and how are you playing HD content? Not all graphics cards have HD encoding and not all applications support video card HD encoding. Second, it wouldn't surprise me if the reason it lags during HD playback is because P4's don't have nearly enough grunt to play the videos. I don't know what you mean, but I don't think you understand how EIST works.
FYI I can use the same RAM in both my c2d system and a p4 system. heck you can even use $$$$ DDR3 with pentium 4s.
Okay, let me tell you exactly what the problem is. You have Speedstep turned on, which means your multi shows lower when you're not stressing the CPU. You can't play 1080p video without it lagging because P4's just aren't cut out for that sh*t, and you need to either upgrade your CPU, or reconsider the way you're running your HD content.
Sorry everyone, I fixed it and you're all wrong. Especially about P4 being weak. (I can run Crysis on Med-High). There was another program the CPU as well as Ai Booster, and it would conflict with it, and they would create lag spikes. I turned some options off, and it's back to normal now. And about P4s running hot. It's unfortunately true, so I won't be turning of EIST because it keeps the CPU from going into the 60s, 70s, and even 80s.
