What is the difference between CPU speed and Clock speed?

Status
Not open for further replies.

fcui21

Solid State Member
Messages
11
My BIOS settings indicate my CPU Speed is 3.0GhZ but the clock speed shows 266MHz (max). What is the difference between the two and how can I make sure I have reached the maximum speed for my CPU? I have an intel Pentium 4 (Northwood) model SL6WK which has a FSB of 800MHz. Also, separate topic but related...DDR in BIOS settings shows 333MHz...I have a DDR2 PC5300 memory type.
 
The speed for the SL6WK is 3.0GHz. It is suppose to run at 800MHz FSB. Dunno about the 266. Download and run CPU-Z. Take a screenshot and post it here.

DDR2 PC5300 is also known as DDR2-667. It has an I/O bus clock of 333MHz, which is correct with what you're showing us.
 
266MHz is the speed of the bus, as Intel are Quad Pumped, so effectively makes 266X4 = ~1066MHz which maximum (theoretical) your processor can have. but, yours is Northwood, and they had 200Mhz (200Mhz x 4 = 800Mhz FSB). your motherboard has capability of speeds up to 1066MHz (266 x 4) as told before.

now CPU speeds are calculated by the Clock and Multiplier, like in your case, your CPU is showing 3GHz (3000/200 = 15) or 200Mhz (FSB) x 15 (Multiplier) = 3000Mhz / 3Ghz

Understood!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom