HP ML110 G4 Windows Server 2003 and SpeedStep

[Marc T]

I am using a new HP ML110 G4 with a Xeon 3040 processor and Windows Server 2003 Enterprise SP2. OS is installed with all drivers but the SpeedStep technology does not seem to work though enabled in bios. The cpu is alway running at 100% frequency and is not afflected by any of the options available in the power managment. Can anybody tell me how to enable SpeedStep or is this some kind of bios bug?

[Ryan Goff]

Speedstep is only a technology offered in mobile PC processors, not servers. What is the name of the option that you enabled in the bios?

[Marc T]

Hello Ryan, the option is called "Enhanced SpeedStep Technology". Intel has put this feature also into server processors (http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/products/server/processors/3000/feature/index.htm)

[Ryan Goff]

Hmm, seems you are correct!

This article may help then:

Different ways to determine CPU speed in Windows XP or in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888282/en-us

Also found this on Intel's site:
http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/products/box_processors/desktop/proc_dsk_p4/technical_reference/203838.htm

From the instructions on Intel's site, if you have "Always on" power profile turned on in Windows control panel, it turns off Enhanced Intel SpeedStep. I'd start there and make sure that you have the profile "Minimal Power Management" selected.

[Marc T]

I already tried the different power management profiles including "Minimal ..." but with no success.

[Ryan Goff · Accepted solution]

Have you installed the latest BIOS update and the latest Chipset driver?

BIOS:
http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/27204.html

Chipset:
http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/24999.html

From what I can tell it's embedded support much like how you didn't need a driver for Hyperthreading.

[Marc T]

Newest bios is installed as well as the chipset driver (i also tried the new ones directly from intel.com).

[Ryan Goff]

If you type at the cmd prompt powercfg /query does it show adaptive for processor throttle? AC & DC?

[Marc T]

Yes it does for AC and for DC.

[Ryan Goff]

I'm out of ideas...Only thing I have left to suggest is to install CPU-Z and monitor the CPU before and after turning it off in the BIOS to see if there are any changes.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php