HowTo disable Speedstep on Dell Inspiron

[mursaat]

I've got an Inspiron 9400 (Euro model for E1705) with a Merom T7200. The BIOS options for SpeedStep are:

On: the processor is 6x, 8x or 12x.
Off: the processor is always 6x (WTF??)

So, without any other BIOS options, is there any other way I can make the processor work at 12x166 everytime?

I've configured everything on Energy Options to run as a Desktop, everything to Performance instead of Battery, etc, etc.

I'm asking this because SpeedStep is really slow detecting CPU load. I'm afraid it's because it uses CPU temp probe?

[mursaat]

Ok after much searching, I've answered myself. I've downloaded SpeedSwitchXP, that makes exactly what I wanted.

[cirthix]

there is no real benefit to forcing it to the highest speed. speedstep works VERY quickly. leave it at default settings

[bioxeed]

there is no real benefit to forcing it to the highest speed. speedstep works VERY quickly. leave it at default settings

Incorrect. I work with audio on my laptop (currently an Inspiron 9300) for performances and turning speedstep off DOES make a difference. With it turned on if the cpu drops down enough to step down and then comes back up again it's not quick enough to keep the audio running smoothly and causes crackles and errors. Of course if you're not running something that requires the absolute lowest latency like audio then it's quick enough to not make a difference.

[Trice]

I use a program called Notebook Hardware Control. It rocks.