Unlocking Turbo Boost

[UnlimitedB]

Hello, I have a HP DV6 2110EA laptop with the following spec:

Intel i7 720QM 1.6Ghz , 2.8Ghz Turbo

4GB DDR3 1333Mhz (soon to be 8GB ;] )

250GB 7200rpm Segate HDD

Nvidia GT230M - Standard Clock

Windows 7 64bit

The problem that I have is that the Turbo Boost was not working properly and that my CPU was clocking up to a maximum of 1.4Ghz rather than the standard 1.6Ghz. I have used the following software to monitor the hardware:

-CPUZ

-SpeedFan

-Intel Turbo Boost Monitor

-HWiNFO32

I tried to access the hidden advanced Bios menus, like some people did on their Envy laptops by using the F10 key followed by the letter A. Needless to say it didnt work.

Then I looked into the different Bios versions available for my notebook, I came across 4 different ones, F.1A, F.1B, F.1C, F.1D. All of them are standard Bios' without any extra options.

I looked into the power options of the operating system, as some people apparently fixed the problem through there. I tweaked the Processor settings of the "Balanced" and "High Performance", but again nothing happened.

I came across a post in a forum about a guy with a similar problem, he managed to get the Turbo working through a program called ThrottleStop (4.00). So I tried it and Voila the CPU now clocks up to ~2.8Ghz.

The thing that I wanted to ask about is, using the report generated by HWiNFO32, I noticed that Turbo Boost is [Locked], obviously ThrottleStop unlocked it, however I do not wish to use a piece of software to have to do this, I know there must be an option that will allow me to tweak advanced settings.

Thank You!

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Just to make sure that the basics are set before going any further, can you run through the following.

First, download and reinstall the Chipset driver on the link below.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp45501-46000/sp45629.exe

When the installation has completed, shut down the notebook.  Tap away at f10 as soon as you start the notebook to enter the bios menu.  Press f5 to load the defaults ( this is sometimes f9, but the menu at the bottom will show the correct key ), use the arrow keys to select 'Yes' and hit enter.  Press f10 to save the setting and again use the arrow keys to select 'Yes' and hit enter.

When you've loaded back into Windows, download and install the monitoring application on the link below.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/tmonitor.html#directiontouse

Let me know what this shows.

Regards,

DP-K

[UnlimitedB]

Done. TMonitor - Clock Speeds with Turbo Enabled

Results:

Idle: all 4 cores at 931.0Mhz  (I have minimum CPU state as 50% under high performance), Actually changing it to 100% did nothing

Loaded:Very small jumps to 1463Mhz randomly on all 4 cores

With ThrottleStop 4.00 Turbo Enabled - 924Mhz

 Edit: Actually with ThrottleStop 4.00 Turbo Enabled - I do see an increase of up to ~1.9Ghz I think I need to load it more to get it higher, but it does show that when I use the program the turbo is working

Multipliers with Turbo Enabled:

Idle: all cores x7

Loaded: x7

With ThrottleStop 4.00 Turbo Enabled - x7 Edit: up to ~ x15 (was very quick didnt see properly)

However using CPU-z it is a different story

Idle: 930Mhz

Loaded: 1463Mhz, Multiplier x11

With ThrottleStop 4.00 Turbo Enabled - ranges between 2.0Ghz and 2.6Ghz, Multipliers of x21 to x15, it does vary quite alot even when it is quite loaded.

[UnlimitedB]

The problem that I see is that under default Bios Settings Turbo Mode is Disabled, and I wish to find a way to Enable it

[DavidPK]

Hi,

First of all, I've been quite busy over the holidays so I apologise if I can't always reply as quickly as I'd like to - I will always get back to you, but there may be a bit of a gap

First off, can you let me know the following.

Launch CPU-Z.  What values are showing for.

1.  Front side bus speed

2.  Number of Threads

Let me know the result of the following test.

Hold down the Windows key and press R.  In to the Run box type msconfig and hit enter.  In the following window, click the Start up tab, remove the tick next to each start up item and then click Apply to make the change. Shut down the notebook and leave it for 15 minutes and allow everything to cool so that the following procedure can be run with the processor starting well below it's thermal limit.

Start the notebook and when loaded, start CPU-Z.  Now open windows Control Panel, open Performance Information and Tools and click the link to re-run the assesment.  During the assesment ( particularly the test on the CPU ) watch the values for the multiplier - what is the highest value you see?

Regards,

DP-K

[UnlimitedB]

FSB – 131 – 133Mhz

Threads – 8

The highest multiplier is x11

I would like to point out another thing, my base score for the CPU is 6.2 without ThrottleTop, with it its 7.0.

I see what you are trying to do, I do know that Turbo Boost won’t kick in if the temperatures are high; however I am a bit of a clean freak so I tend to do maintenance every month.

CPU runs between 58C ~ 72C Idle – Fully Loaded

I do wish to thank you for helping me out, I do understand you are very busy, not to mention the holidays too.

It is much appreciated!

[DavidPK]

Hi,

You're welcome

It's interesting you mention that the base score is 6.2 as this processor should rate around 7.0 - 7.1

On the main page of your Bios menu, what is it showing for the processor speed?

Regards,

DP-K

[UnlimitedB]

It does show the 1.6Ghz, but using CPUz I only get 1.4Ghz unless I use ThrottleStop.

I do believe it has something to do with hidden advanced Bios settings. I am pretty sure that Turbo Boost is disabled and the maximum clock is set to x11 (1.4Ghz) rather than the recommended x12 (1.6Ghz)

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Well I've looked into this a bit more and as far as I can tell, the only way to 'unlock' further options would be by flashing the notebook with a modified bios.

Has this problem existed from day one or started after a particular event ( I realise this may be difficult to pinpoint )?

Even though it may not be noted as a 'fix', have you tried flashing the latest Bios update for your notebook?

Regards,

DP-K

[UnlimitedB]

This seems to have been a problem from day 1.

I have flashed the Bios 4 times with 4 different versions, all provided by HP under the laptop's drivers.

These versions are F.1A, F.1B (original), F.1C, F.1D (current)

I did look into using a modified Bios, I came across a forum in which people would give their Bios versions and a member of high caliber (such as your self ;] ) would mod them.

However he has moved on to different projects. I did manage to find afew Bioses which closely resemble the versions that I use but since they are for a different model I tried to stay away and come here instead.

Edit: I should probably tell you that I have changed the motherboard 4~5 months ago, thats why I am saying its from day1, as for the previous one, I cannot tell, if you recall I had a problem with graphical artifacts and faulty GPU (thank you for the assistance there too :] )