Computing.Net - 3.0ghz Pentium 4 running at 1.5ghz

Subject: 3.0ghz Pentium 4 running at 1.5ghz

Original Message

Name: dean_brfc
Date: January 31, 2008 at 20:58:32 Pacific
Subject: 3.0ghz Pentium 4 running at 1.5ghz
OS: Windows XP Home
CPU/Ram: 1 gb

Comment:

I've recently upgraded my Celeron 2.4ghz to a Pentium 4 3.0ghz, but I noticed today that it's only showing up as 1.5ghz in my BIOS. After a lengthy Google I've found out this is probably to do with the FSB, multipliers and other things I hadn't been aware existed before today.
From what I've read so far, the following information is probably going to be useful, so here are CPU-Z readings of my CPU and motherboard:
CPU: http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/...
Motherboard: http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/...
This is what I believe to be my motherboard: http://www.msicomputer.com/product/...
Have I managed to get a processor that's incompatible with my motherboard, even though it says it can run 3.06 ghz Pentium 4s?
I've never been very comfortable playing with the BIOS so help would be greatly appreciated.

Report Offensive Message For Removal

Response Number 1

Name: jackbomb
Date: January 31, 2008 at 22:17:58 Pacific
Subject: 3.0ghz Pentium 4 running at 1.5ghz

Reply: (edit)

That motherboard will only run CPUs with 100-133MHz bus speeds. Your 3.0GHz CPU uses a 200MHz bus, and has a multiplier of 15x.
15x200MHz=3000MHz
Your board is running the processor bus at only 100MHz, most likely because your previous Celeron was a 100MHz/400FSB chip. That's why your CPU is currently running at only 1.5GHz:
15x100=1500MHz.
Go into your CMOS setup and set your CPU bus speed to 133MHz (the 133MHz setting may be labelled as 533MHz, since Intel FSBs are quad-pumped).
15x133=1995MHz
Unfortunately, 2GHz is the most you'll get out of that processor on your motherboard. The 3.06GHz P4 that you mentioned was actually released before your 3.0GHz P4. Unlike your 3.0GHz P4, the 3.06GHz is a 133/533 processor (23x133MHz=3059MHz).

The lean, mean, movie playing P3 machine
P3-S 1400 @ 1.66GHz, 158MHz FSB
2GB PC2700 DDR
7950GT AGP
Optoma 1280x720 projector
JBL 5.1 amp and speakers
Now storing 114 HD movies

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 2

Name: dean_brfc
Date: February 1, 2008 at 04:55:19 Pacific
Subject: 3.0ghz Pentium 4 running at 1.5ghz

Reply: (edit)

Thanks for the response, you confirmed what I had feared. I guess I'll just look for a 3.06ghz that is compatible with my motherboard and sell the processor I currently have.
There's no risk of me damaging the processor by running it at 133mhz is there?

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 3

Name: dean_brfc
Date: February 1, 2008 at 05:02:55 Pacific
Subject: 3.0ghz Pentium 4 running at 1.5ghz

Reply: (edit)

Sorry, me again. If I've understood this all correctly, my motherboard can run this processor fully?
pentium 4 2.8Ghz 2.8/512/533 cpu 478 socket

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 4

Name: jam
Date: February 1, 2008 at 08:31:34 Pacific
Subject: 3.0ghz Pentium 4 running at 1.5ghz

Reply: (edit)

You posted a link to your board & in the description it states "Supports up to 3.06GHz with FSB 400/533MHz". The 2.8GHz/533FSB CPU *should* work, but check the CPU support list to be sure. You *may* have to update the BIOS.

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal