Confusion Regarding new Computer Processor

nightmarenny

Hi Folk,

I recently purchased this processor to replace the stock processor that came with my omen hp 870-224:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0L41N7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I'm not much of a tech person so I may be confused about a lot of this but it seems to me that something is wrong. I'm going to just lay out the information I have and hope someone can help me because frankly I'm officially lost. I got this processor specifically to help with CPU usage in ableton. I write and produce music on it. This was my first day since changing the processor that I had time to really try it out and I;m forced to conclude that ableton is running the same at best but probably much worse. I was already finding it difficult to work aound the CPU limits I previously had. I'm very disappointed.

First of all I'll go through all the basic stuff. I did update the bios. I did apply thermal paste to the processor. I didn't buy an improved cooling system but based on the way its acting I don't think overheating is the problem. I've yet to hear the tell-tale sound of it shifting into high gear while work today.

Look through my options the best I can tell is that it seems to be a problem with the cores. Depending on where I go my computer tells me I have a different amount. If I go to msconfig to tell the computer how many processors to use it says four which I think is the number its supposed to be. That's what the specs for the processor says at least. When I go to device manager it shows 8 but that seems to be the number of threads so I think that's all correct? When I first set up the processor msconfig DID say 8 originally though.

Unfortunately several other sources are saying I'm only using 2 which seems to be like it may be the problem. If so I have no idea how to fix it. Specifically task manager says I have 2 cores and 4 logical processors and the intel assistant says I only have two cores as well although its not flagging it as a problem.

So what do you say, does this sound like a problem? Is there any way to get more out of my computer?

BlindZenDriver

From what you describe you did right when it comes to the bios and mounting the CPU and more, unless you were sold a counterfeit product which is unlikely, then your CPU for sure has four cores and eight threads. The reporting you get from the task manager has me puzzled, as for software more in general not everything will use all cores - some may even be made to use only one core and no new CPU changes that.

Now I can't claim to know much about Intel processors, but maybe there is some drivers or something from Intel you need to install. Try the download section here: https://intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/97128/intel-core-i77700-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-20-ghz/specifications.html

You can also try and run Windows Update, it might there is something from Microsoft you should get.

BahamutZERO

8 is the correct number of threads to see in the task manager for a 4 core processor, each core can handle two threads due to something called hyperthreading. That's normal for windows PCs.

Try having the task manager open to the performance view while you work in ableton and see if the CPU usage is maxing out for any of the cores while the program feels sluggish. If it's not, the problem may be something else.

The amazon seller I see for that listing says they sell refurbished parts so the possibility you got a reboxed, not-actually-refurbished lemon is there.

Feral

First off, I suggest posting screenshots.

Secondly, regarding this:

If I go to msconfig to tell the computer how many processors to use it says four which I think is the number its supposed to be. That's what the specs for the processor says at least.

If you're referring to this,



The checkbox should be unchecked and the greyed-out dropdown should show "1".

Feral

Just to further clarify some terminology.

You have 1 physical processor. (Sometimes this will be reported as "socket.")
That physical processor has 4 cores. (Assuming it's genuine and not defective.)
Each core can run 2 threads due to hyperthreading. That's 8 threads total. (Sometimes this will be reported as "logical processors" which is, IMO, unnecessarily confusing, but Microsoft often is unnecessarily confusing.)

This is a Task Manager screenshot for a different CPU model but it should look similar.



Sockets: 1
Cores: 4
Logical Processors (aka Threads): 8

Also double-check the CPU model number in the upper-right. Make sure it shows an I7-7700. It'll probably say something very similar to "Intel (R) Core(TM) i7-7700 CPU @ 3.60Ghz"

If it shows anything anomalous, post your screenshot in the thread (along with any other screenshots that show something weird.)