AMD Athlon 64 Processor Driver (XP\2003)

[Markel]

I found this on the Major Geeks (http://www.majorgeeks.com/AMD_Athlon_64_Processor_Driver_XP2003_d4622.html) web site. Description from there:


Allows the system to automatically adjust the CPU speed, voltage and power combination that match the instantaneous user performance need. Download this Setup Installation program (EXE) to automatically update all the files necessary for installation. This package is recommended for users whom desire a graphical user interface for installation. This .EXE driver is a user friendly localized software installation of the driver designed for end-users. This driver supports AMD Athlon 64 processor on Windows XP SP2 and Windows 2003 SP1.

Download this Setup Installation program (ZIP) to automatically update all the files necessary for installation if you are using the Have Disk feature of Windows driver installation.

[Aristo]

anyone uses this before?

[Joshua]

I was just at an amd roadmap yesterday. This is legit it is for the PowerNow feature of the chip which scales the processor power/performance to what you are doing.

the nice thing is that if you leave your pc idling overnight, it'll drop down to minimum power WITHOUT making the pc go to sleep.

[shocky123]

I've used it, though I don't like it that much because I like to have temp readings at the same clock frequencies.. so I just leave it at a constant clock. Some of the AMD64 boards have similar things built into them that utilize this feature of the cpu much more efficiently.

~Kyle

[Aristo]

If I already enable cool 'n quiet in BIOS, and set the power management to "minimal power management", do I still need to install this driver to take advantage of cool 'n quiet?

I have MSI K8n Neo4

[shocky123]

you shouldnt need to. BIOS level power management should override anything used by the operating system.
It may not hurt to install them for the heck of it, but I doubt it'll do anything.

~Kyle

[Aristo]

Thank you Shocky. That's good to know. :) My Venice runs mostly below 40 degree Celcius. Thought it might be the work of "cool 'n quiet".

[shocky123]

I'm using the 939-pin 3200+ it's.... amazing.
I used the cool-n-quiet features at the start and had temperatures of
idle:~28C full-load(for several hours):34C

I've since messed something up ( I think I accidentily did a 'performance optimized settings' thingy in BIOS) and the CPU is overclocked to ~2090Mhz, and I have cool-n-quiet off since you cannot really play with any of the cool settings with it on.
Now it runs:
idle:30C full-load:36'ish though once I saw it hit 37 for a moment.

I also have a self-adjusting cpu-fan/heatsink that does a good job, it's supposed to cut down on noise a bit, but I rarely hear the cpu-fan... it's those damned chasis-fans, which I can tone down with a temperature moniter/fan-controller (came w/ case heh). At any rate, I guess I cannot actually tell if the rise in temperature is resultant of my overclocking it a little... or due to the cool-n-stuff thingy...
It's a great setup I'd say... I've run 12-16hour burn-in/load tests and never seen it get above 37C.

..back to work, heh

~Kyle

[Aristo]

That's pretty cool. My rig runs hotter than yours even though mine is 3000+. Could be that my 2 Vantec fans don't produce enough CFM, or I simply have too many cards in the box (3 PCI card: audigy 2, leadtek tv, netgear WIFI, and 1 PCI-e). My CPU HSF is Arctic Cooling Silencer 64 Ultra TL.

[shocky123]

.. mine's a 939 chipset as well, which tends to run several degress cooler. I'm using same heatsink as you.. are, and I paid a chunk of change for my thermal compound :)
I also keep my case at negative pressure compared to my room, keeps things chilly-ish

~Kyle

[Aristo]

Hey kyle,

So the thermal coupound from AC isn't as good as some other brands? Would I see some dramatic temp drop (say 2 to 3 degree) if I change it? How do you keep your rig @ negative pressure comparing to your room? :) TIA