Intel i5 CPU 2.3GHz - Locked to 1.3GHz only!!!

[nourjabi]

Hello,

I have Toshiba C660 Satellite Laptop with Intel i5 2.3Ghz - Turbo Boost 2.9GHz.

I'm running Official Windows 8.1.

I recently noticed that my laptop is slow and laggy, and upon checking on task manager CPU stats, i noticed that my CPU is locked in between 0.7 GHz and 1.36GHz.

What ever i do it remains maxed out on 1.3.


What can I do ? is my CPU fried? I tried re installing windows with no luck.

please help! thanks

 

[getochkn]

is this only on battery power by chance? is it plugged in? check the power profile and make sure the cpu isn't thottled because of power settings?

 

[nourjabi]

is this only on battery power by chance? is it plugged in? check the power profile and make sure the cpu isn't thottled because of power settings?

Hello,

Settings: Maximum Performance and GPU is set Power saving OFF.
Also plugged in.

@ BIOS: Multi core processing is enabled and Turbo boost is enabled as well.

🙁

 

[Moonsfang]

Does your laptop have Intel Speed Step Technology? If so check the bios and see if there are any options to disable it.

Check out this http://forums.computers.toshiba-europe.com/forums/thread.jspa?messageID=263181

 

[nourjabi]

I have checked my BIOS, i don't have such option at all, all speed options are enabled (I clicked Set Default options).

I have had this laptop for over 1 year, and this is very strange to happen now.

Is there any tool i can use to diagnose my CPU ?

 

[k1114]

Asking if it has speedstep is literally asking if he has an intel cpu. It doesn't affect performance but laptop manufacturers usually pack on extra power saving settings and software that may affect speeds. But before going through that stuff I ask about temps first, it's much easier to check.

What are your temperatures? You can check with hwmonitor. http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

 

[nourjabi]

Asking if it has speedstep is literally asking if he has an intel cpu. It doesn't affect performance but laptop manufacturers usually pack on extra power saving settings and software that may affect speeds. But before going through that stuff I ask about temps first, it's much easier to check.

What are your temperatures? You can check with hwmonitor. http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

I have downloaded hwmonitor and here's the output:

Processors Information
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1			ID = 0
	Number of cores		2 (max 8)
	Number of threads	4 (max 16)
	Name			Intel Core i5 2410M
	Codename		Sandy Bridge
	Specification		Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2410M CPU @ 2.30GHz
	Package (platform ID)	Socket 988B rPGA (0x4)
	CPUID			6.A.7
	Extended CPUID		6.2A
	Core Stepping		D2
	Technology		32 nm
	TDP Limit		35 Watts
	Tjmax			100.0 °C
	[b]Core Speed		1396.7 MHz[/b]
	Multiplier x Bus Speed	14.0 x 99.8 MHz
	Stock frequency		2300 MHz
	Instructions sets	MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EM64T, VT-x, AES, AVX
	L1 Data cache		2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
	L1 Instruction cache	2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
	L2 cache		2 x 256 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
	L3 cache		3 MBytes, 12-way set associative, 64-byte line size
	FID/VID Control		yes


	Turbo Mode		supported, enabled
	Max non-turbo ratio	23x
	Max turbo ratio		29x
	Max efficiency ratio	8x
	Max Power		56 Watts
	Min Power		24 Watts
	O/C bins		none
	Ratio 1 core		29x
	Ratio 2 cores		27x
	Ratio 3 cores		27x
	Ratio 4 cores		27x
	TSC			2295.2 MHz
	APERF			1397.0 MHz
	MPERF			2295.2 MHz

I have noticed the text in bold : Core Speed 1,390... shouldnt it be 2.3GHz ??

Also, Here's my CPU temp is between 50 ~ 60 c

 

[nourjabi]

sorry double post-

 

[nourjabi]

This is Intel Diagnostic tool result:

---------------------------
--- Testing Processor 1 ---
---------------------------


--- IPDT64 - rev  1.29.0.0.MP ---


--- Start Time: 11/07/2013 20:07:55---


--- Skipping Config ---


 --- Reading CPU Manufacturer --- 

Expected --> GenuineIntel
Detected --> GenuineIntel
Found --- Genuine Intel Processor ---

 --- Temperature Test --- 

Temperature Test Passed!!!


Temperature = 39 degrees C below maximum.


 --- Reading Brand String --- 

Detected Brand String:
Intel Core i5-2410M   2.30GHz

Brand String Test Passed!!!


 --- Reading CPU Frequency --- 

Expected CPU Frequency is --> 2.30


Detected CPU Frequency is --> 2.29453

CPU Frequency Test Passed!!!


 --- FSB NOT Supported on this Processor --- 


 --- Running Base Clock test --- 


Detected Base Clock --> 99
Base Clock test Pass ---
..QPI rate Test not supported..
..Skipping QPI rate Test..

Skipping QPI rate Test


 --- Running Floating Point test --- 


Million Floating Points per Second, MFLOPS --> 158.4
Floating Point Test Pass ---

 --- Running Prime Number Generation Test --- 


Operation Per Second--> 3.3229e+006
Prime Number Generation Test Pass ---

 --- Reading Cache Size ---  

- Detected L1 Data Cache Size --> 4 x 32
- Detected L1 Inst Cache Size --> 4 x 32

- Detected L2 Cache Size --> 1024
- Detected L3 Cache Size --> 3072


 Cache Size Test Passed!!!


 --- Determining MMX - SSE capabilities --- 


		 --- CPU FEATURES DETECTION FOR ---
	            ---        MMX SSE       ---
MMX		 - MMX Supported -->	Yes
SSE		 - SSE Supported -->	Yes
SSE2		 - SSE2 Supported -->	Yes
SSE3		 - SSE3 Supported -->	Yes
SSSE3		 - SSSE3 Supported -->	Yes
SSE4.1		 - SSE4.1 Supported -->	Yes
SSE4.2		 - SSE4.2 Supported -->	Yes
		--- MMX SSE - capabilities check complete ---

MMX Test Result --- PASS
SSE Test Result --- PASS
SSE2 Test Result --- PASS
SSE3 Test Result --- PASS
SSSE3 Test Result --- PASS
SSE4.1 Test Result --- PASS
SSE4.2 Test Result --- PASS
MMX SSE Testing Passed !! 

 --- Determining AVX AES PCLMULQDQ capabilities --- 


		 --- CPU FEATURES DETECTION FOR ---
	           --- AVX/AES/PCLMULQDQ ---
AVX		 - Advanced Vector Extensions Supported -->	Yes
AVX OS Support   - AVX Operating System Supported -->		Yes
AES		 - Advanced Encryption Standard Supported -->	Yes
PCLMULQDQ	 - Polys Carry-Less Multiply Supported -->	Yes
	--- AVX AES PCLMULQDQ capabilities check complete ---

AVX Compare Test Result --- PASS
AES Test Result --- PASS
PCLMULQDQ Test Result --- PASS
AVX AES PCLMULQDQ Testing Passed !! 

--- Reading Memory Size --- 


Detected Memory Size is --> 8.00GB


--- Integrated Memory Controller Stress Test --- 


--- Integrated Memory Controller Stress Test Pass!!! --- 


Integrated Memory Controller Test Pass!!!


--- Platform Controller Hub Test Disabled ---


..
..Query 2..
..
--- Querying for Intel(R) Integrated Graphics Device (IGD) ---
..Did not detect Intel(R) Integrated Graphics Device (IGD).
..This could be that the test platform is using a discrete graphics card.
..To test IGD, verify that there is an onboard video connector, 
..shutdown the test platform, remove the graphics card, and 
..move video cable from graphics card to onboard video connector 
..Skipping Intel(R) Integrated Graphics Device Presence Test..
..

 --- CPU Load --- 


 --- Load Level = 8


CPU Load Passed!!!


 --- Temperature Test --- 

Temperature Test Passed!!!


Temperature = 33 degrees C below maximum.


--- Test End Time: 11/07/2013 20:11:55---

 

[k1114]

It was 50-60 when you weren't doing anything?

 

[nourjabi]

It was 50-60 when you weren't doing anything?

yes hw monitor was reporting a jumping temp from 50 to 60 while just having chrome and hw monitor up.

 

[k1114]

I suspect it overheats when it actually tries to do something. It keeps track of max temps, what were those?

 

[nourjabi]

Here's HWMonitor screen:

 

[k1114]

Did you check max processor state in advanced power settings is 100%? If you run prime95, what happens to temps? Is there a toshiba software that can also change power settings that may be interfering?

 

[nourjabi]

I downloaded Prime 95, here's my task manager screen while running the test:

 

[nourjabi]

I noticed that the maximum speed is 1.38 (before only 1.36). also my CPU Utilization doesnt go above 60%.


I have no application to limit CPU speed, this is a fresh windows setup. also on High Performance.

 

[k1114]

Just because you select high performance does not mean the settings are correct. You should make sure and check. The cpu isn't being fully utilized but what's odd is your cpu speed is exactly 60% of 2.3 and your usage is capped at 60% as well. When you did a fresh install, where'd you get the media?

 

[nourjabi]

I have installed windows using IOS image from Windows store, but I believe the problem is hardware from either : BIOS or CPU.

Therefore, I have sent my Laptop to a service center, they will give me results in a day or two.

 

[nourjabi]

After a week,

The service center have replied the following:

1. they have over written the BIOS, and the problem still there.

1. they have tried using another CPU and the problem was still there.


I'm giving up!

 

[k1114]

It's an issue with the mobo microcode, I've seen it other times before. Though usually a bios update fixes it, it looks like just a faulty mobo.

 

[Moonsfang]

After a week,

The service center have replied the following:

1. they have over written the BIOS, and the problem still there.

1. they have tried using another CPU and the problem was still there.


I'm giving up!

Lol. Sometimes problems just don't make logical sense. I had an issue once when I worked for dish network where one rooms receiver would not work. I literally replaced everything including the dish the receiver the cabling ect.. and it still had the same issue. My boss told the person they must have a poltergeist.

 

[nourjabi]

I have googled this mobo issue, how can i fix it? I mean there is no BIOS update besides 1.50 for my laptop (which in my case is already installed). Any tips? thanks ahead

 

[nourjabi]

Hi all, I have been searching Toshiba's Website for BIOS update, when i found these links:

http://


and this one:

http://


both refere to a newer BIOS version for Toshiba C660 but for another part type.

My Laptop is Toshiba C660 - PSC1SE , those updates are for different C660 Models.

will they work on my laptop?

 

[k1114]

It's for all c660 models.

 

[nourjabi]

Are you sure? I have downloaded BIOS 2.00 and BIOS 1.70 from those links, BISO 2.00 didnt allow me to install while 1.70 looked like it's alright to install(1.70 is for PSC0LE) . but im afraid if It dont go well, my BIOS will be toast. :S