I have just run on my m18x Intel's Processor Identification Utility

Reported CPU Speed 0.79 ghz

Expected CPU Speed 2.3 ghz

There is obviously something wrong with my CPU is there a software tweak though for a solution to this problem ?

Or should i send it back to DELL

make sure you dont have your processor throttled by a certain power state. Make sure your in high performance or w.e. and go into the battery settings make sure the processor is forced to 100%

the processor is forced to 100%  and its in maximum performance.

Intels processor identification utility states that its a 0.79 GHZ i7 instead of a 2.3 GHZ

any other thoughts please ???

If you disconnect the AC adapter and operate the notebook on battery power only, the system defaults to the minimum processor frequency. You cannot overclock on battery power alone. You should not rely on the retail Intel application to look at our OEM (original equipment manufacturer) CPUs. Even programs like CPU-Z are misreporting items. On the first Bios screen, how is the CPU listed?

* The AC adapter must to be connected to the system
* In the operating system, the power plan under power options has to be set to "High performance"
* Restart the system and hit F2 on the Dell logo screen to enter BIOS
* Go to the "Performance Options" menu under the Advanced tab
* Set Overclocking option to "Enable"
* Set "Level 1-3 Overclocking" as "Disable"
* Press F10 to Save and Exit

System is on AC

Bios as also Intel Processor Identification Utility identifies i7-2960XM Extreme @ 2.7 GHz

But the Intel-Tool shows the estimated CPU-speed @ 2.70 Ghz and the actual speed @ 0.79 Ghz.

(Same in Tools like CPU-Z)

Windows 7 Ultimate performance Monitor now gets 4.6 Points for CPU (even futher there has been 7.6 Points...I have Screenshot from both)

Is there anyting damaged?

So you was sold a i7 2820 QM, which shows as a i7 2960XM ?

Try HWINFO, this reports the correct over clock on my 2960.

790mhz is the lowest speed which is where the machine idles, but hwinfo shows it go up in readtime as you do things.

fireheadAR,

All three applications, HWINFO64, CPU-Z64, and the Intel Processor Identification Utility are reporting the correct data for my M18x. It really sounds like the Bios Overclocking settings are wrong on your systems. You all need to post exactly what you have chosen in the Bios.

OK here are some screenshots taken at the same moment...

First of all until now I doesn't try any overclocking.

Bios A05, Advanced Performance Options are disabled

Speedstepping and turbo-mode are activated

So fare I should get up to 2.70 Ghz but all Cores only run on 797 Mhz (Multiplyer 8x), even if all Cores are on 100% no stepping higher than 797MHz...

next step: > I installed the intel turbo-mode status monitor and I only get a blue bar wit a green leaf calling energysaving (German System...) but all energysaving funktions in windows are disabled.

Today I got a remotesession with an Dell technican. He installed the tool Core Temp and wants to prove if the temparatures are ok. Everything was ok..but he saw that the voltage was lower than  etimated.

He said something will be damaged with the powersuplie on the board and on monday I will get a new motherboard... we will see.

Sorry about my bad english...

Nevertheless here ar the data from HWINFO...

Processor Name:                                                                 Intel Core i7-2960XM Extreme Edition
Original Processor Frequency:                                                   2700.0 MHz

CPU Brand Name:                                                                 Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2960XM CPU @ 2.70GHz
CPU Vendor:                                                                     GenuineIntel
CPU Stepping:                                                                   D2
CPU Code Name:                                                                  Sandy Bridge-MB SV XE
CPU S-Spec:                                                                     SR02F
CPU Thermal Design Power (TDP):                                                 55.0 W
CPU IA Cores Thermal Design Current (TDC):                                      97.5 A
CPU GT Cores Thermal Design Current (TDC):                                      32.5 A
CPU Power Limits (Max):                                                         Power = Unlimited, Time = Unlimited
CPU Power Limit 1 (Long Duration):                                              Power = 55.00 W, Time = 28.00 sec [Locked]
Number of Overclocking Bins:                                                    Unlimited
CPU Type:                                                                       Production Unit
CPU Platform:                                                                   Socket G2 (rPGA988B)
Microcode Update Revision:                                                      1A

Number of CPU Cores:                                                            4
Number of Logical CPUs:                                                         8

Operating Points                                                               
CPU LFM (Minimum):                                                              800.0 MHz = 8.00 x 100.0 MHz
CPU HFM (Maximum):                                                              2700.0 MHz = 27.00 x 100.0 MHz
CPU Turbo:                                                                      3700.0 MHz = 37.00 x 100.0 MHz [Unlocked]
CPU Current:                                                                    797.4 MHz = 8.00 x 99.7 MHz @ 0.7355 V

CPU Bus Type:                                                                   Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) v2.0
Maximum DMI Link Speed:                                                         5.0 GT/s
Current DMI Link Speed:                                                         5.0 GT/s

Cache and TLB                                                                  
L1 Cache:                                                                       Instruction: 4 x 32 KBytes, Data: 4 x 32 KBytes
L2 Cache:                                                                       Integrated: 4 x 256 KBytes
L3 Cache:                                                                       8 MBytes
Instruction TLB:                                                                4 KB Pages, 4-way set associative, 64 entries
Data TLB:                                                                       4 KB Pages, 4-way set associative, 64 entries

* Restart the system and hit F2 on the Dell logo screen to enter BIOS
* Right arrow to Advanced
* Down arrow to Performance Options [press Enter]
CPU Turbo Mode = Enabled
Overclocking Feature = Enable
Level 1-3 Overclocking = Level 1
* Press F10 to Save and Exit

Once into Windows, open HWINFO64 and check the Cores Clocks and Ratios.

* Restart the system and hit F2 on the Dell logo screen to enter BIOS
* Right arrow to Advanced
* Down arrow to Performance Options [press Enter]
CPU Turbo Mode = Enabled
Overclocking Feature = Enable
Level 1-3 Overclocking = Level 2
* Press F10 to Save and Exit

Once into Windows, open HWINFO64 and check the Cores Clocks and Ratios.

overclocking Level 1, 2, 3

but cores doesn't go above 800MHz.....

any further ideas?

Nope. I guess go with the motherboard replacement.