Processor not running at max speed

My laptop has an Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 which should be running at 2.5GHz, however CPU-Z consistently reports my Core speed at right under 1.6Ghz (8x multiplier and ~200MHz Bus Speed). Even when I'm doing heavy development work and the processor is running at 100% for extended periods of time the core speed reported by CPU-Z never goes up to 2.5GHz. My understanding is that this reduction in speed is to save power, but this happens even when I'm plugged into the outlet.

Does anyone know why this is happening or how to fix it?

Solution 1:

Does anyone know why this is happening

Its called SpeedStep

how to fix it?

There's nothing to "fix" per-se, as and when the load increases, the frequency will bump up.

Also,

Under Microsoft Windows XP, SpeedStep support is built into the power management console under the control panel. In Windows XP a user can regulate the processor's speed indirectly by changing power schemes. The "Home/Office Desk" disables SpeedStep, the "Portable/Laptop" power scheme enables SpeedStep, and the "Max Battery" uses SpeedStep to slow the processor to minimal power levels as the battery weakens. The SpeedStep settings for power schemes, either built-in or custom, cannot be modified from the control panel's GUI, but can be modified using the POWERCFG.EXE command-line utility.

Solution 2:

Check your "Power Saving" settings and choose the "performance" option. And plug your box in.. Most laptops will go into power saving mode automatically when unplugged from wall power.