How can I know if my cpu is throttling

[tgbyhn10111]

Hi

My PC keeps having slow downs when surfing / checking e-mail / using word etc, cpu % is nowhere near 100% but everything stops for a few seconds, then speeds up then slows down. It's not just surfing that slows down it's all apps. For instance if I go to the start menu then all programs, there can be a few second delay before anything is displayed, then 30 seconds later it will be really fast again with no delay.

It's usually OK when I first boot up for a while but not always. It does seem to be kicking out a lot of heat but it always has.

I have re-installed everything twice now. The second time i installed XP / XP SP2 / Autopatcher XP AVG + latest defs and pctools firewall b4 i connected to the internet. First thing I did was all security updates for all software.

Apart for manufacturers install discs, I re downloaded every piece of software again from the official homepage or www.download.com just in case I was reinstalling a trojan every time I rebuilt with install software from my hard disk.

I was also behind a linksys router firewall when doing all this. In short I should be fairly safe but still the problem persists. I have run just about every malware scanner out there.

I can't pin point the problem but it may be heat, is there a utility that will tell me if my cpu is being throttled?

This is driving me crazy. I have been trying to fix for months now.

Help!!!

 

[tgbyhn10111]

Thanks guys

i'm using a 478pin 2.6ghz P4

I have tweaked XP with Autopatcher XP tweaks and Tweakuixp and only installed essential stuff. Clean up rubbish with crapcleaner and run Perfectdisk8 every few days. registrymechanic 5 to clean registry

Also stopped indexing service, remote access, system restore.

Staretup apps look fine.

I'll try the tools you mention. thanks

P.S. Can't get to most of the sexy options in my BIOS.

 

[tgbyhn10111]

I don't believe the P4 throttled when not under load so you wouldn't need sexy bios options.

When was the last time you checked your PC for dust build-up?

In desperation, I had the vacuum in it about a week ago but didn't seem to make much difference. I also removed the floppy as I have a usb one. moved cables to improve airflow. It's a small case though.

I ran perfectdisc 8 defrag while runing prim95 the other day and managed to get the hard disk up to 55degrees, cpu up to 65degrees but couldn't get them higher. I'm not sure if I can rely on the figures from speedfan though as it says my fan speed is 0 on the cpu but it's spinning. It does eventually report 2500 rpm when it speeds up as it get hotter though.

While I'm just typing this with no load and the side of the case off; Speedfan reports
temp1: 48C
temp1: 35C
HDD: 48C
temp1: 35C

I f i have the pc on all day, my room is like an oven at night.

Speedfan / Smart reports the HDD is fine but seems hot to me.

I think it's a rougue app or some duff ms patch or tweak or heat but I can't track it down.

Here is a link to my motherboard manual if it's any use.
http://www.checkmark.dk/sa/download/drivers/medion/motherboard/manual/MD5000Mainboard.pdf

and a link with some more info
http://translate.google.com/transla...d+msi+and+burst+and+rate&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all

 

[tgbyhn10111]

use coretemp or tat for cpu temps as speedfan is pants most of the time

OK will give them a try. Thanks

 

[tgbyhn10111]

OK I'm trying Throttlewatch now. Do i have to keep an eye on the meters or will an alarm sound / will it alert me if it's being throttled?

Cheers

 

[tgbyhn10111]

You have to watch it, however, if your CPU does throttle you will notice pretty quickly with Orthos. Run Orthos for 5 minutes and if you don't get throttling you probably won't have an issue.

I still suspect your heatsink is coated with dust and is cooking the CPU though.

There is some dust on the cpu heatsink but only a couple of small bits clumped together - not a great deal. The PC is chucking out huge amounts of heat though. You would not believe the heat in my room it's almost unbearable - it really is like a sauna. I need to sort this out fast so I can sell it on.

Can I use Orthos on a single core P4. I thought it was for dual cores?

Thanks