I think I'm being swindled with processor -- please help

Hello,

I have just purchased a new budget system for my father-in-law. It was supposed to have an AMD Sempron 2400+ processor (clock speed 1667 MHz). However, when I booted it up the Bios system check showed it as an Athalon processor and had the clock speed at 1000 MHz. This was also how it was recognized by WinXP in the system details tab. Now, I know that Sempron is basically very similar architecture to the Alhalon it replaced, but shouldn't the clock speed have been read correctly and automatically?

Now, when I called up the retailer they just told me that I should go into the bios and just change the clock speed. This seems a little fishy to me. Now the guy did tell me I could check to make sure the processor is indeed the Sempron 2400+, but I'm not really wanting to tear the motherboard apart (BTW -- not that it is probably relevant, but the motherboard is an ASROCK model K7VM3).

So, does anyone happen to know an easy way (other than taking the processor off the board) to check that the processor is indeed what we paid for. And if so, is it really safe (and possible) to change the clock speed in the bios?

Thanks

 

Hmm.. sounds like you are getting swindled. I've never known a BIOS and windows xp to be that wrong about a processor. I would recommend that you download cpu-z and reconfirm the processor ID there.

I would never never adjust the processor speed in the BIOS without final confirmation of the processor ID. If that really is a 1000 mhz processor and you cranked the speed up to 1500, well your system would basically crash and you run a strong risk of frying that sucker.

 

yeah get cpu z, but it can happen that the cpu clockspeed is reduced or lower than normal. usually restarting or putting all the bios settings to default should cure the problem. but cpuz will tell it for sure what u got running

 

Your problem is Most Likely Bios and or jumper setting's of the mobo.
As I dont know of your mobo or the exact spec's of your CPU here's couple of links that will help:
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/fsbguide.html
Bios guide:
http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=9

The above links plus your Mobo manual should solve your problem.
If you need to set any jumpers on your mobo your mobo manual should provide info on such.
I have never seen a miss marked CPU
Some mobo's you have to manually set the cpu speeds, Some mobo's need bios update to run Semprons.
Default settings on your mobo may or may not set your cpu speed correctly.
Default mobo setting's are not usually the best for performance, but are considered safe, use the Bios guide I posted to make the best settings for your PC.

You'll need all the help you can get with an Asrock, as they are the bottom of the barrel as far as mobo's go, I wouldnt touch one with a Ten Foot Pole!

 

Hello, you say you just purchased this new budget system, is there any kind of warranty on this unit from the retailer? It seems hard to believe that a retailer is asking the customer to make adjustments/major changes to his system.
If your situation is such that you have no warranty then the first thing you might consider is doing a visual inspection yourself. Remove the HSF and read the numbers on the cpu so you know what you are working with. Next I suggest going to the Asrock site. There is alot of info available. If you dont have the manual, download it. READ IT.
Get to know your mobo and what it can and cannot do. I have personally built 6 Asrock boards this year and have NOT had any problems with any of them, despite what some folks say. Pay particular attention to the FSB jumpers and check the ram memory to make sure it is of the correct type for your board. One step at a time dude, you'll fiqure it out. Good Luck to you!