My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3, 2GB
Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the system
is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always
stay running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under load.
2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it
appears to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by
I8kfanGUI) seem relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
GPU temp: 50 C
Memory temp: 54 C
Chipset temp: 50 C
HDD temp: 43 C
I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the
fan stay in the fast state?
Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the
machine is idle for a while?
FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear as
if the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the time.
b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
downclocking under light load.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Harvey Gratt [mailto:hgratt@verizon.net]
> Posted At: Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:53 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Precision M4300 Laptop Fan/Speedstep Issue
> Subject: Precision M4300 Laptop Fan/Speedstep Issue
>
> My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3,
> 2GB
> Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the
> system
> is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>
> 1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always
> stay running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under
> load.
>
> 2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it
> appears to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by
> I8kfanGUI) seem relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>
> Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
> CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
> GPU temp: 50 C
> Memory temp: 54 C
> Chipset temp: 50 C
> HDD temp: 43 C
>
> I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the
> fan stay in the fast state?
>
> Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the
> machine is idle for a while?
>
> FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear
as
> if the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>
> a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the
> time.
> b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
> downclocking under light load.
>
> Thanks,
> Harvey
I would guess that there are different power settings for 'docked' and
they are set to full speed. Just a guess.
"Harvey Gratt" <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:dpXXj.13461$_g.1073@trnddc07...
> My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3, 2GB
> Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the system
> is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>
> 1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always stay
> running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under load.
>
> 2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it appears
> to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by I8kfanGUI) seem
> relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>
> Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
> CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
> GPU temp: 50 C
> Memory temp: 54 C
> Chipset temp: 50 C
> HDD temp: 43 C
>
> I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the fan
> stay in the fast state?
>
> Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the machine
> is idle for a while?
>
> FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear as if
> the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>
> a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the time.
> b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
> downclocking under light load.
>
> Thanks,
> Harvey
Just a partial and speculative response:
1) Those CPU temps are fine.
2) Have no idea why the fan is at maximum. It may be that it (the fan) is
programmed to be at or near max operation anytime the CPU is at maximum
clock rate(s). The fan also may be anticipating the other component
temperature increases in the limited area of a mobile case/chassis.
3) Given the fact that SpeedStep was designed largely to extend battery life
via lower power consumption, why would you want or expect the CPU to clock
back when connected to power?
Tom Scales wrote:
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Harvey Gratt [mailto:hgratt@verizon.net]
>> Posted At: Sunday, May 18, 2008 9:53 AM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: Precision M4300 Laptop Fan/Speedstep Issue
>> Subject: Precision M4300 Laptop Fan/Speedstep Issue
>>
>> My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3,
>> 2GB
>> Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the
>> system
>> is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>>
>> 1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always
>> stay running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under
>> load.
>>
>> 2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it
>> appears to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by
>> I8kfanGUI) seem relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>>
>> Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
>> CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
>> GPU temp: 50 C
>> Memory temp: 54 C
>> Chipset temp: 50 C
>> HDD temp: 43 C
>>
>> I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the
>> fan stay in the fast state?
>>
>> Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the
>> machine is idle for a while?
>>
>> FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear
> as
>> if the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>>
>> a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the
>> time.
>> b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
>> downclocking under light load.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Harvey
>
> I would guess that there are different power settings for 'docked' and
> they are set to full speed. Just a guess.
>
Probably, but it would be nice if there were some sort of documentation
on how SpeedStep is suppose to work under the various configurations.
The continual high fan speed is annoying and should lower under light
load, I would think.
S.Lewis wrote:
> "Harvey Gratt" <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:dpXXj.13461$_g.1073@trnddc07...
>> My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3, 2GB
>> Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the system
>> is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>>
>> 1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always stay
>> running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under load.
>>
>> 2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it appears
>> to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by I8kfanGUI) seem
>> relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>>
>> Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
>> CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
>> GPU temp: 50 C
>> Memory temp: 54 C
>> Chipset temp: 50 C
>> HDD temp: 43 C
>>
>> I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the fan
>> stay in the fast state?
>>
>> Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the machine
>> is idle for a while?
>>
>> FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear as if
>> the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>>
>> a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the time.
>> b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
>> downclocking under light load.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Harvey
>
>
>
> Just a partial and speculative response:
>
> 1) Those CPU temps are fine.
>
> 2) Have no idea why the fan is at maximum. It may be that it (the fan) is
> programmed to be at or near max operation anytime the CPU is at maximum
> clock rate(s). The fan also may be anticipating the other component
> temperature increases in the limited area of a mobile case/chassis.
>
> 3) Given the fact that SpeedStep was designed largely to extend battery life
> via lower power consumption, why would you want or expect the CPU to clock
> back when connected to power?
>
> Stew
>
>
>
I would have thought that stepping down the cpu speed should be a
function of the cpu load - maybe I'm wrong. Also, the continuous high
fan speed is annoying and put stress on the fan for no reason, again,
maybe it's the way it's suppose to work but I would have thought otherwise.
"Harvey Gratt" <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:44ZXj.13468$_g.2069@trnddc07...
> S.Lewis wrote:
>> "Harvey Gratt" <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote in message
>> news:dpXXj.13461$_g.1073@trnddc07...
>>> My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3, 2GB
>>> Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the system
>>> is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>>>
>>> 1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always
>>> stay running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under load.
>>>
>>> 2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it
>>> appears to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by
>>> I8kfanGUI) seem relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>>>
>>> Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
>>> CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
>>> GPU temp: 50 C
>>> Memory temp: 54 C
>>> Chipset temp: 50 C
>>> HDD temp: 43 C
>>>
>>> I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the
>>> fan stay in the fast state?
>>>
>>> Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the
>>> machine is idle for a while?
>>>
>>> FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear as
>>> if the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>>>
>>> a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the time.
>>> b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
>>> downclocking under light load.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Harvey
>>
>>
>>
>> Just a partial and speculative response:
>>
>> 1) Those CPU temps are fine.
>>
>> 2) Have no idea why the fan is at maximum. It may be that it (the fan) is
>> programmed to be at or near max operation anytime the CPU is at maximum
>> clock rate(s). The fan also may be anticipating the other component
>> temperature increases in the limited area of a mobile case/chassis.
>>
>> 3) Given the fact that SpeedStep was designed largely to extend battery
>> life via lower power consumption, why would you want or expect the CPU to
>> clock back when connected to power?
>>
>> Stew
>>
>>
>>
>
> I would have thought that stepping down the cpu speed should be a function
> of the cpu load - maybe I'm wrong. Also, the continuous high fan speed is
> annoying and put stress on the fan for no reason, again, maybe it's the
> way it's suppose to work but I would have thought otherwise.
>
> Thanks,
> Harvey
Harvey,
I don't have time to research and post a link, but Speedstep (so far as I
know) has nothing to do with CPU load and everything to do with power
management and battery life (going all the way back to PIII notebooks).
Can you not control/manipulate the fan speeds via I8K fangui? Short of that
utility, I know of no other way for the speed to be altered.
S.Lewis wrote:
> "Harvey Gratt" <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:44ZXj.13468$_g.2069@trnddc07...
>> S.Lewis wrote:
>>> "Harvey Gratt" <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>> news:dpXXj.13461$_g.1073@trnddc07...
>>>> My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3, 2GB
>>>> Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the system
>>>> is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always
>>>> stay running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under load.
>>>>
>>>> 2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it
>>>> appears to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by
>>>> I8kfanGUI) seem relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>>>>
>>>> Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
>>>> CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
>>>> GPU temp: 50 C
>>>> Memory temp: 54 C
>>>> Chipset temp: 50 C
>>>> HDD temp: 43 C
>>>>
>>>> I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the
>>>> fan stay in the fast state?
>>>>
>>>> Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the
>>>> machine is idle for a while?
>>>>
>>>> FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear as
>>>> if the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>>>>
>>>> a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the time.
>>>> b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
>>>> downclocking under light load.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Harvey
>>>
>>>
>>> Just a partial and speculative response:
>>>
>>> 1) Those CPU temps are fine.
>>>
>>> 2) Have no idea why the fan is at maximum. It may be that it (the fan) is
>>> programmed to be at or near max operation anytime the CPU is at maximum
>>> clock rate(s). The fan also may be anticipating the other component
>>> temperature increases in the limited area of a mobile case/chassis.
>>>
>>> 3) Given the fact that SpeedStep was designed largely to extend battery
>>> life via lower power consumption, why would you want or expect the CPU to
>>> clock back when connected to power?
>>>
>>> Stew
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> I would have thought that stepping down the cpu speed should be a function
>> of the cpu load - maybe I'm wrong. Also, the continuous high fan speed is
>> annoying and put stress on the fan for no reason, again, maybe it's the
>> way it's suppose to work but I would have thought otherwise.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Harvey
>
>
> Harvey,
>
> I don't have time to research and post a link, but Speedstep (so far as I
> know) has nothing to do with CPU load and everything to do with power
> management and battery life (going all the way back to PIII notebooks).
>
> Can you not control/manipulate the fan speeds via I8K fangui? Short of that
> utility, I know of no other way for the speed to be altered.
>
>
> Stew
>
>
Yes, I could but I really do not want to mess around with it. I was just
curious as to whether my observations were consistent with what others
are seeing.
Seriously. Take the time to mess around with i8kfangui. It is not that
complicated and it gives you extremely good control of fan speeds. Plus it
allows you to see temps measured by sensors on hard drives in addition to CPU
temp.
As another posting has stated, SpeedStep has nothing to do with fan control...
Ben Myers
On Mon, 19 May 2008 00:33:04 GMT, Harvey Gratt <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote:
>S.Lewis wrote:
>> "Harvey Gratt" <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote in message
>> news:44ZXj.13468$_g.2069@trnddc07...
>>> S.Lewis wrote:
>>>> "Harvey Gratt" <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:dpXXj.13461$_g.1073@trnddc07...
>>>>> My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3, 2GB
>>>>> Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the system
>>>>> is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>>>>>
>>>>> 1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always
>>>>> stay running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under load.
>>>>>
>>>>> 2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it
>>>>> appears to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by
>>>>> I8kfanGUI) seem relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>>>>>
>>>>> Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
>>>>> CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
>>>>> GPU temp: 50 C
>>>>> Memory temp: 54 C
>>>>> Chipset temp: 50 C
>>>>> HDD temp: 43 C
>>>>>
>>>>> I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the
>>>>> fan stay in the fast state?
>>>>>
>>>>> Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the
>>>>> machine is idle for a while?
>>>>>
>>>>> FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear as
>>>>> if the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>>>>>
>>>>> a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the time.
>>>>> b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
>>>>> downclocking under light load.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Harvey
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Just a partial and speculative response:
>>>>
>>>> 1) Those CPU temps are fine.
>>>>
>>>> 2) Have no idea why the fan is at maximum. It may be that it (the fan) is
>>>> programmed to be at or near max operation anytime the CPU is at maximum
>>>> clock rate(s). The fan also may be anticipating the other component
>>>> temperature increases in the limited area of a mobile case/chassis.
>>>>
>>>> 3) Given the fact that SpeedStep was designed largely to extend battery
>>>> life via lower power consumption, why would you want or expect the CPU to
>>>> clock back when connected to power?
>>>>
>>>> Stew
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> I would have thought that stepping down the cpu speed should be a function
>>> of the cpu load - maybe I'm wrong. Also, the continuous high fan speed is
>>> annoying and put stress on the fan for no reason, again, maybe it's the
>>> way it's suppose to work but I would have thought otherwise.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Harvey
>>
>>
>> Harvey,
>>
>> I don't have time to research and post a link, but Speedstep (so far as I
>> know) has nothing to do with CPU load and everything to do with power
>> management and battery life (going all the way back to PIII notebooks).
>>
>> Can you not control/manipulate the fan speeds via I8K fangui? Short of that
>> utility, I know of no other way for the speed to be altered.
>>
>>
>> Stew
>>
>>
>
>Yes, I could but I really do not want to mess around with it. I was just
>curious as to whether my observations were consistent with what others
>are seeing.
>
>Thanks for the taking the time to reply,
>Harvey
You mention i8kfangui, so I had a deep thought. Is i8fangui loaded at system
startup on your M4300? If so, could its settings be influencing the fan speed?
I have installed i8fangui on a number of older Inspiron 5100/5150/5160 systems
with hot running non-mobile Pentium 4 CPUs. i8fangui does a terrific job of
managing the CPU temperature, kicking in the fan, running either slow or fast,
depending on the termperature, according to the settings I used. Very nice, but
ya gotta take the 15 min or so to learn it and set it up... Ben Myers
On Sun, 18 May 2008 14:52:57 GMT, Harvey Gratt <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote:
>My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3, 2GB
>Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the system
>is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>
>1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always
>stay running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under load.
>
>2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it
>appears to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by
>I8kfanGUI) seem relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>
>Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
>CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
>GPU temp: 50 C
>Memory temp: 54 C
>Chipset temp: 50 C
>HDD temp: 43 C
>
>I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the
>fan stay in the fast state?
>
>Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the
>machine is idle for a while?
>
>FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear as
>if the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>
>a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the time.
>b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
>downclocking under light load.
>
>Thanks,
>Harvey
No, it's not loaded at startup. I just used it occasionally to monitor
temperatures when I first got the laptop. I'll take another look at
using it.
Thanks,
Harvey
Ben Myers wrote:
> You mention i8kfangui, so I had a deep thought. Is i8fangui loaded at system
> startup on your M4300? If so, could its settings be influencing the fan speed?
>
> I have installed i8fangui on a number of older Inspiron 5100/5150/5160 systems
> with hot running non-mobile Pentium 4 CPUs. i8fangui does a terrific job of
> managing the CPU temperature, kicking in the fan, running either slow or fast,
> depending on the termperature, according to the settings I used. Very nice, but
> ya gotta take the 15 min or so to learn it and set it up... Ben Myers
>
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 14:52:57 GMT, Harvey Gratt <hgratt@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> My m4300 is about 10 months old. I have the latest BIOS, win xp SP3, 2GB
>> Ram, 2.00GHz cpu (T7300). I seem to notice the following when the system
>> is docked to an Advanced Port Replicator:
>>
>> 1. Although Speedstep is enabled in the BIOS, the cpu seems to always
>> stay running at its highest speed (2.00GHz) if it gets there under load.
>>
>> 2. Once the fan enters into this "fast" state (about 3500 RPM), it
>> appears to stay there even though all temperatures (as reported by
>> I8kfanGUI) seem relatively cool. Typically, I8kfanGUI reports:
>>
>> Fan: Fast 3512 RPM
>> CPU temp: 39/39 C (core1/core2)
>> GPU temp: 50 C
>> Memory temp: 54 C
>> Chipset temp: 50 C
>> HDD temp: 43 C
>>
>> I would think these temperatures are relatively cool - so why does the
>> fan stay in the fast state?
>>
>> Also why does the Speedstep not clock down the cpu speed when the
>> machine is idle for a while?
>>
>> FWIW, the fan is quiet or off when undocked - but it does not appear as
>> if the Speedstep is functioning as I would expect:
>>
>> a) Under max battery power scheme, the cpu is underclocked all the time.
>> b) Under other schemes it runs at full speed with little or no
>> downclocking under light load.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Harvey
Precision M4300 Laptop Fan/Speedstep Issue 
Linear Mode
