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Slow i5 Processor

adam2008

adam2008

adam2008

Associate
Joined
30 Nov 2008
Posts
132
Hi,

I have a Dell XPS 15z laptop that I just got back from dell after they replaced the motherboard. The processor is a i5-2430M 2.4ghz but according to Cpu-z it seems to run at 800MHz whenever im using an intensive program. Programs that used to run smoothly are now laggy and choppy. Also my windows experince score in the processor category went from a 6.9 to a 4. Whats to blame here, is the processor or motherboard faulty? Or am I just missing something?
 
The power mode was in balanced mode and when I changed it to performance it was just as bad. The bios dont really have anything I can alter exceot speedstep. The processor is nearly always under 100% usage and the average temperature is 95°C.
 
Sounds like dell throttling. All Dell's do it to some extent, though what you are experiencing sounds extreme! What does the task manager state is using the CPU? IIRC it won't be any specific app, just 'system'.

Why your CPU is running so hot is concerning, though! Is there a newer bios available?

Have a google for 'dell throttle'
 
The cpu has 90 processes running which is 94% of the cpu usage apparently. Theres nothing running really apart from firefox which is 300,000K and then the rest of the processes are under 100,000K. Yeah it seems way too hot, maybe the cpu has been degraded due to excess heat?
 
have another look in task manager, there must be some program hogging th cpu, as no pc should be running at 90% with just firefox running. it will be in the centre row of numbers

Also 95.C is VERY HOT, i would not use that for long, try to find that corrupt program and click on 'End Process'.
that should lower your cpu usage and cpu temp.
 
Theres no particuarly large programs running on the cpu, when I use a intensive program the clock speed falls to 800MHz. On intel turbobooster there is always the green leaf icon, which is energy saver mode. Occasionaly the clock speed goes to 2.7Ghz but then instantly goes back to 800MHz.
 
To help you understand and put what people are suggesting into context, it's not the case that you've damaged the CPU by running it hot for too long, that's not how it works. What's happening is either that the CPU is throttling down in speed because it's become too warm, or that it's throttling down because the system believes it doesn't need to be working hard just now, or it's throttling down because the system believes it needs to save power.

If Dell were really cynical they may have set your laptop to run slowly to avoid overheating problems, it may be a lazy technician or shady practice that causes them to do this. I think it'd be a bit unlikely as it's very poor form.

What might be the case is that they've badly fitted the new motherboard/CPU causing it to overheat too fast, causing it to drop down in speed.

What people are asking you to do is to try to narrow it down by eliminating as many variables as possible.

That means running it on mains power, switching the profile to performance from balanced or power saver... and it means monitoring both the frequency it's running at (which you're able to do) and the temperature it's at while you change the load the CPU is under. By doing that you'll determine if it really is throttling from heat, or if it's just efficient at managing loads.
 
The Halk said:
That means running it on mains power, switching the profile to performance from balanced or power saver... and it means monitoring both the frequency it's running at (which you're able to do) and the temperature it's at while you change the load the CPU is under. By doing that you'll determine if it really is throttling from heat, or if it's just efficient at managing loads.
Click to expand...

I ran the tests with orthos on and monitored the cpu frequency and the temperatures on both balanced power mode and high performance mode while plugged into the mains. The temperature only rose a few degrees from around 85 degrees when idle to 94 degrees. The frequency didnt change much, it stayed low and the Turbo boost intel monitor confirmed this, the green leaf stayed the whole time as well. Below are the screenshots on both power modes:

Balanced: imgpaste.com/RQMH.jpg
High Performance: imgpaste.com/BmQH.png

Anyone have any ideas what could be causing my coumputer to run so slowly? Also as this is the second time Ive had huge problems with the system do you think Dell would replace the entire laptop or give me a refund, I only bought this heap of crap 6 months ago and the mounting number of issues are getting out of hand.
 
Ring Dell. The CPU is throttling because it is not being cooled correctly. This is regardless of whatever processes your pc is running it should not be at 80+ degrees idle!
 
Agree with above, looks like when they changed the motherboard over, someone didn't attach the cooling heatsink properly to the CPU.
 
adam2008 said:
The power mode was in balanced mode and when I changed it to performance it was just as bad. The bios dont really have anything I can alter exceot speedstep. The processor is nearly always under 100% usage and the average temperature is 95°C.
Click to expand...

Thats the problem right there, Intels throttle down their core speed when they get too hot, 99*C i believe is the temperature they start to throttle at.

You need to clean out the heatsink and fan and possibly replace the thermal paste, or if the heatsink is not installed correctly then install it correctly maybe its not making contact with the CPU.

This can be a rather daunting task for a laptop so maybe sending it back to dell and telling them they screwed up would be the best idea.
 
Sending it back to dell is the only option if he values his warranty.

Prob something stupid like a fan not plugged in :(

Can you hear a fan? at 99 degrees should be at its max if it is working.
 
Mrjobby said:
Ring Dell. The CPU is throttling because it is not being cooled correctly. This is regardless of whatever processes your pc is running it should not be at 80+ degrees idle!
Click to expand...

im glad someone finally said it :p something is faulty, contact dell immediately. that processor shouldn't really go about 70 at load.
 
When you do contact them I'd also suggest Adam that you kick up a great big stink over it. Not only did it need the motherboard replaced - "and for the price I paid I'd expect it to be more reliable when you replaced it you made a pig's ear of it, causing me to have to investigate and diagnose your inept work, and putting me out by all the hassles of returning it to you again so you can fix your sloppy work."

You might as well try for some kind of apology/freebie/something from them. They haven't bothered to check their own work properly and it's rather poor of them.
 
The Halk said:
When you do contact them I'd also suggest Adam that you kick up a great big stink over it. Not only did it need the motherboard replaced - "and for the price I paid I'd expect it to be more reliable when you replaced it you made a pig's ear of it, causing me to have to investigate and diagnose your inept work, and putting me out by all the hassles of returning it to you again so you can fix your sloppy work."

You might as well try for some kind of apology/freebie/something from them. They haven't bothered to check their own work properly and it's rather poor of them.
Click to expand...

+1
I've heard quite a few success stories of people complaining to Dell when they've screwed up and Dell ending up sorting them out massively. They're a big company, so it doesn't cost them anything to throw in some freebies to turn an unhappy customer into a happy one.

Remember on average you're going to be telling your friends about this experience, and you've ever posted it on a forum. Therefore, it will look very good on Dell if you report that they gave you a free upgrade or something. Try it :)
 
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