hi, I have this cor2duo 1.8Ghz + 2GB ddr2 ram, Operating system Win XP. I got this system some 1 month back. From the time i bought the system i find it to be slower than the dual core 3.4Ghz system. It is taking about 3 to 4 minutes to boot the windows XP and even after that it is very slow operating the system. I am sure i have installed all the drivers that are there in the motherboard cd. Can you help me with this. Thank you in advance

I have this cor2duo 1.8Ghz...i find it to be slower than the dual core 3.4Ghz system

Were you expecting big gains?

Tell us about your motherboard, what apps are loaded at boot? What does CPUz say about your CPU clocks?

Have you scanned for malware?

Note that long boots are often the result of network and/or firewall issues.

hi thank u for ur reply. & "aren't these core2duo supposed to be better than dual core processors". I don't know much abt hardware and all. & its my office pc, so will let u know about the motherboard tommorrow. & How do i check for this CPU clocks. & this pc is not connected to the net also. I have removed most of the applications that get loaded during boot. Norton antivirus, msmessenger, audiodrivers and wordweb are the only files that get loaded during boot. I have seen my home comp getting booted pretty fast than this pc with even more applications.

aren't these core2duo supposed to be better than dual core processors

Better, yes. As a whole class of CPUs, the Core 2 Duos are the best of the best. But not just by speed. The Duos have better performance, consume less power, and generate less heat than "comparable" products. But the 3.4 Dual-Core is no slouch and the 1.8 Duo is on the low end of the Duo line. I would not expect a significant performance gain, if noticeable at all. I would expect cooler operation and less demands on the PSU.

How do i check for this CPU clocks.

As I said, run CPUz.

Hi, this is the CPU-Z 1.40 report file

Processor(s)

Number of processors 1
Number of cores 2 per processor
Number of threads 2 (max 2) per processor
Name Intel Core 2 Duo E4300
Code Name Conroe
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 4300 @ 1.80GHz
Package Socket 775 LGA
Family/Model/Stepping 6.F.2
Extended Family/Model 6.F
Core Stepping L2
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 1196.9 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 6.0 x 199.5 MHz
Rated Bus speed 797.9 MHz
Stock frequency 1800 MHz
Instruction sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T
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 2048 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size

Chipset & Memory

Northbridge Intel i945G/GZ rev. A2
Southbridge Intel 82801GB (ICH7) rev. 01
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 2048 MBytes
Memory Frequency 266.0 MHz (3:4)
CAS# Latency (tCL) 4.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRDC) 4 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 4 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 12 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 16 clocks

System

System Manufacturer
System Name
System S/N
Mainboard Vendor Intel Corporation
Mainboard Model D945GCCR
BIOS Vendor Intel Corp.
BIOS Version CR94510J.86A.0037.2007.0103.1611
BIOS Date 01/03/2007

Memory SPD

Module 1 DDR2, PC2-4300 (266 MHz), 1024 MBytes, Transcend Information
Module 2 DDR2, PC2-4300 (266 MHz), 1024 MBytes, Transcend Information

Software

Windows Version Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
DirectX Version 9.0c


& few more qns, can i expect its speed to be as good as 3.6Ghz dual core processor if not more than that. bcoz when i went to purchase this pc i asked for 3.6ghz and the vendor told me that there is another advanced processor available and he gave me this one. am i cheated for its performance while operation is like some p4 2.6ghz processor. & the booting time is still worse than that.

& thanks for ur replies.

Here's your problem:

Core Speed 1196.9 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 6.0 x 199.5 MHz

Your CPU is only running at 1196.9 MHz when it should be running at or near 1800 MHz. The problem is your bus speed appears to be set to 200MHz (199.5 above). It should be set to 266MHz. But I admit I am confused because down further it does appear your RAM is running at the correct speed. In looking at your manual, I don't see how to set the speed and/or multiplier to obtain full potential. I suggest you look through your BIOS setup menu for clues to why the speed has been toggled down.

Do note that the CPU will toggle itself down if too hot. You should check your temps too. Did you use TIM (thermal interface material) between the CPU and heatsink?

hi again thanx for ur response.
& i have started looking into ways to change bus speed.

But u haven't answered one of my qns, Can i expect the speed of 1.8 cor2duo to be atleast equal to 3.4 dual core processor ?

I too need to point you that never during the start of my computer i have seen the motherboard screen(i mean the first screen, i don't know what this is actually called us). It stays quiet for some time & the windows booting screen appears directly. Does this correspond to any problem?

& what is the "temps" that u have asked me to check.

I haven't specifically mentioned for TIM to the vendor. So don't whether something like that has been placed or not. will try to find out abt that.
But plz do keep responding.

But u haven't answered one of my qns, Can i expect the speed of 1.8 cor2duo to be atleast equal to 3.4 dual core processor ?

Yes I did. I said,

I would not expect a significant performance gain, if noticeable at all. I would expect cooler operation and less demands on the PSU.

I too need to point you that never during the start of my computer i have seen the motherboard screen(i mean the first screen, i don't know what this is actually called us). It stays quiet for some time & the windows booting screen appears directly. Does this correspond to any problem?

It is odd not to see the "splash" screen (this is actually where the video card's own BIOS loads up for initial display) and the POST (power on self test - where you see the RAM test and other devices load up). But Some of this can be disabled in the motherboard BIOS too. If they are not disabled then it may be connected to your slow boots, but I suspect it would be due to the monitor just not being awake and in the correct resolution at that time.

Sorry, "Temps" is a lazy person's way of typing temperatures. There are thermal protection circuits in the CPUs and they are designed to slow down the CPU when internal temperatures exceed a specified point.

If this PC was assembled by a PC maker and not you or a friend, then I would expect TIM was used.

I don't feel like the splash screen has been disabled in the BIOS setup, will check it up. & i don't see the splash screen even during restart of the system + I see the cursor alone at the top left of the screen. So, i feel like it is not related with the monitor too.

I will find out this TIM also and will see what happens disabling it. But i feel like this is not the one slowing my pc, for the pcs performance is slow from the moment i login.

& i just checked this cpuz with one of my frds 2.2Ghz p4. it showed his bus multiplier as 13, whereas mine is just 6.

& still not able to find that jumper by which i can change the bus speed.

I will find out this TIM also and will see what happens disabling it.

TIM is not a setting. It is used or not used, and not used is bad. It comes in the form of a pad or paste. It is applied between the CPU and heatsink. Without it, trapped air between the CPU die and heatsink mating surfaces insulates the heat inside the CPU rather than conducts the heat away.

still not able to find that jumper by which i can change the bus speed.

I don't think it would be a jumper, unless your board is several years old, but rather a setting in the BIOS.

I was going to suggest you reset your BIOS but I finally found a couple things. Your BIOS is version CR94510J.86A.0037.2007.0103.1611 and dated 01/03/2007. There is a version 0045 dated 4/18/2007 and the Release Notes addresses long boot times. I recommend you update the BIOS - see here - be sure to follow instructions carefully.

I also found the Intel document for your BIOS menu, why it is separate from your user manual, I don't know. Check here - both an Alphabetical By Menu versions are available.