Registry edit to force the CPU to 314 MHz

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by MBK2

Another thing is, how would the CPU run at full processor speeds when not needed?? Can't possibly be running at the full 312 MHz without processes and Apps running, can it?

I'm not a hardware guy, so I don't know. However, I do know that there are many OS processes running even though no applications are running. (You need a special process viewer to see them.)

As far as I know, the CPU cycles per second (or MHz) is controlled by a clock, and that clock gets divided by some factor to determine how fast the processor runs. So when somebody says the CPU is running at "312 MHz", it means the clock frequency is being divided by a factor that results in 312 MHz.

Overclocking involves boosting the speed of the system clock, which results in various components running faster. That's probably why running a processor faster is called "overclocking" instead of "CPU boosting" or something else.

That is probably not what this hack is doing. It's just lowering the factor the clock gets divided by to run the processor at its rated speed. I assume Intel designed the processor to run at its rated speed for significant periods of time and that Motorola did some stress testing where the processor was kept running at that speed to test heat build up.

I think XScale processors in "normal" mode (or profile) use some measurements to decide what factor they divide the system clock by. In periods of low CPU usage, they choose a higher factor, resulting in lower processor speed, to conserve battery life. In periods of high CPU usage, they choose a lower factor, boosting the processor speed, to ensure system responsiveness (well, we know the Q isn't always responsive, but that's neither here nor there).

The normal profile is probably set to keep a balance between battery life and system responsiveness under a predicated "average load", but playing with the thresholds might allow a user to tune the system more precisely for their needs.

Steve

[smiller2076]

Thanks for that info Steve! I'll have to thank you when I get off my Q. If anyone does any testing with overclocking and has some temp readings, please post! I'm too scared to fry my Q or I'd do it myself.

[MBK2]

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

As far as I know, the CPU cycles per second (or MHz) is controlled by a clock, and that clock gets divided by some factor to determine how fast the processor runs. So when somebody says the CPU is running at "312 MHz", it means the clock frequency is being divided by a factor that results in 312 MHz.

Overclocking involves boosting the speed of the system clock, which results in various components running faster. That's probably why running a processor faster is called "overclocking" instead of "CPU boosting" or something else.

The Q's clock speed is 208 MHz and it's multiplier is 1.5, so it already is set to run at 312 MHz. Now I doubt that any hack can get this to run at the full 312 all the time...why would it if not needed??

So I agree that this would not really be considered overclocking because you aren't increasing the clock speed or the multiplier, but if there is a 'boost' in performance then the CPU is being pushed, regardless of how, just wondering in what way and what might be the long term affect to the CPU.

As for overclocking desktop processors, Intel and AMD as well I figure, seems to produce CPUs that can operate beyond it's rated speed. Some say it's because they mass produce these processors and rather than having them sit around if not sold, they underlabel them speed-wise so as to get them sold and not have overstock.
Now with mobile PC technology being relatively new, not sure if Intel would be doing the same by design, so the Q's CPU might not be able to sustain either overclocking or even running at this 'boosted' performance without any possible damage.

I can't be sure so I doubt I'll try this hack unless someone can give me a knowledgeable answer to 'exactly' what the stress to the Q's CPU will be.

I will however keep this hack in mind for future reference if I find out more about the possible effects.

[MBK2]

BTW...I think what Bobby was referring to as scaling, might be basically Intel's SpeedStep........ below is it's explanation...

SpeedStep>>
Running a processor at high clock speeds allows for better performance. However, when the same processor is run at a lower frequency, it generates less heat and consumes less power. In many cases, the core voltage can also be reduced, further reducing power consumption and heat generation. This can conserve battery power in notebooks, extend processor life, and reduce noise generated by variable-speed fans. By using SpeedStep, users can select the balance of power conservation and performance that best suits them, or even change the clock speed dynamically as the processor burden changes.
For example, a Pentium M processor marketed at 1.5 GHz can run at speeds between 600 MHz and 1.5 GHz, in 300 MHz increments using SpeedStep III. Older processors, using older versions of the SpeedStep technology, have fewer increments, such as the Pentium 4-M. For example, a 1.7 GHz Pentium 4M can run at 1.6 GHz, at 1.2 GHz, and at 786 MHz.
SpeedStep technology is partly responsible for the reduced power consumption of Intel’s Pentium M processor, part of the Centrino brand.

[Bobby Budnick]

Originally Posted by MBK2

The Q's clock speed is 208 MHz and it's multiplier is 1.5, so it already is set to run at 312 MHz. Now I doubt that any hack can get this to run at the full 312 all the time...why would it if not needed??

I am a hardware guy and I can tell you that the original registry edit I posted in this thread does run the CPU at 312 mhz all the time. I'm not sure about the voltage, but the speed of the CPU is controlled through software like the other xscale CPUs. I have an Asus A620 Pocket PC and it works much the same way by the way of an Asus utility/driver that sets the CPU speed. Asus was kind enough to provide a front end to that for A620 users. You could set fixed CPU speeds in scales of 100 or set it to automatic scaling. Motorola has done the very same thing but the only front end to be able to edit it's settings is through the registry.

[MBK2]

Originally Posted by Bobby Budnick

I am a hardware guy and I can tell you that the original registry edit I posted in this thread does run the CPU at 312 mhz all the time. I'm not sure about the voltage, but the speed of the CPU is controlled through software like the other xscale CPUs. I have an Asus A620 Pocket PC and it works much the same way by the way of an Asus utility/driver that sets the CPU speed. Asus was kind enough to provide a front end to that for A620 users. You could set fixed CPU speeds in scales of 100 or set it to automatic scaling. Motorola has done the very same thing but the only front end to be able to edit it's settings is through the registry.

So what you in fact saying is that the scaling, automatic or fixed, is being shut off, correct? Basically no Speedstepping. How much performance gains can that actually give you? Everything for me is pretty fast already, so what about this would make me desire to do this 'hack'? I already know what the cons are of shutting off the 'scaling', what are the exact Pros that are 'worth' it?

[Bobby Budnick]

That is precisely what I am saying. I see gains in almost every program. Opera mobile is usable for me now, where as before it was too slow when loading and scrolling pages. I also see a lot less of the "wheel of lag". By all means keep your Q the way it is though if it works for you.

[MBK2]

Originally Posted by Bobby Budnick

That is precisely what I am saying. I see gains in almost every program. Opera mobile is usable for me now, where as before it was too slow when loading and scrolling pages. I also see a lot less of the "wheel of lag". By all means keep your Q the way it is though if it works for you.

That's what I was asking about, what programs. browser boost seems like something that might interest me, just gotta decide if I'll take the chance of whether the Q's CPU might die within a year or something like that.

Thanks Bobby, I just may try it out, especially if it will boost my browsers' speed. Everything else, that I wanted out of my Q, is working fantastically for me...mmusic, movie viewing, tethering, the only thing I wish was faster was the actual Q's internet browsing speed.

[pyrobling]

So I experienced my first problem with this hack. First 3-4 days this helped out tremendously but finally it started to effect performance. I may be wrong and it may not be this hack but it is the last one I did and now I am having to do a Master Reset. I have a backup from before so I don't have to do every hack again. However, just "undoing" the hack didn't make much difference. After I did the backup then everything seems to be working again.

Problems...
Unlock would not unlock
Programs would open but not show until I restarted
Device locked-up 7 times before Master Reset.

I don't know if this was just straining the device too hard or what but after looking through everything else I can only come to the conclusion that the CPU hack is what caused the glitch so I thought I would share.

[pyrobling]

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

That's interesting, but I believe the CPU is actually a 312 MHz processor, not 314. (Yes, it's a nit.) Look at the Threshold208to312 value, for example.

In fact, maybe changing those values can achieve the same effect. I'm guessing the values control when the CPU speeds up or slows down based on CPU usage percentage.

So maybe the following settings would work, too:

• Threshold104to208 -- Change from 60 to 2.
• Threshold208to312 -- Change from 85 to 4.
• Threshold208to104 -- Change from 40 to 1.
• Threshold312to208 -- Change from 50 to 3.

I haven't tried it, though (and probably won't ).

However, remember that any hacks here can hurt battery life (and, like any registry hack, mess up your device). Also, I might be worried about overheating if the CPU isn't designed to run full speed all the time (but I hope Motorola stress tested that).

Steve

OK...got everything back to 100% the way it should be and this time I am going to test these settings....if doesn't work I'll just Master Reset and use the backup I will make just before I do the hack. I'll let you know how it turns out and if it helps/is neutral/or hurts in any way.