Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Just looking to see if there's anything to we can share as far as maximizing the use out of the old machine and im wondering how is yours running? etc.

BWP is awesome! works great, uses more ram than bionic though but i don't have any issues. I do want to help it run cooler but i remember buying this computer along time ago and it ran hot. Soon im going on a little trip and i am going to try and daily this old machine, maybe it'll help me learn what i else i can use it for and its limits besides my phone can do most things really

here is my specs

CPU: T7600
GPU: AMD ATI Mobility Radeon 1400
RAM 3.14GB (maxed out lol)
Storage: 120 GB ( using 128 GB thumb drive for BWP)
OS: using XP pro and BWP

I saw a tool on here which you can limit the CPU frequency, is it worth it messing with this? Does it even work on this old machine? i was thinking it could save power and keep it from getting hot.

@INSPIRON_E1505_USER

do want to help it run cooler

My 1505 is still runing fine, currently on loan to a friend. Use some "canned air" to blow any fuzz and dust out of the heat sink fins and fan. Blow from the vent towards the fan. Don't run it on soft surfaces and prop up the bottom rear with something like a pencil to give the fan intake plenty of air space.

Also use the Wcpufreq app and try "conservative" or "powersave", it should drop the cpu temp several degrees.

XP Pro would probably run faster if you booted from an SSD.

wizard

@INSPIRON_E1505_USER :-

The CPU Frequency Scaling Tool will work with any CPU that supports power/frequency stepping. Not sure about AMD, but Intel's 'SpeedStep' technology was fitted to everything they made from the Pentium M onwards. (I think AMD's version was called 'Cool'n'Quiet', but don't quote me on this....YET. @wizard can probably confirm this.)

Since the Core2Duos came with 'Enhanced Intel SpeedStep':-

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/I ... 0534M.html (and look down in 'Low Power Features')

.....CPUFreq should allow you to "tweak" it! I'd take wizard's advice on what settings to use. He knows a bit more about it than I do. Despite this Pentium 'Gold' in my HP rig having 'Enhanced SpeedStep', Intel are most insistent that you should NOT use any scaling tools. They recommend you to let the Linux kernel Intel CPU module handle it instead. Which I do.....and it DOES handle it, very well indeed. (Suits me; that's one less thing needs tinkering with).

And in spite of this Pentium 'Gold' being much faster & more powerful than your T7600, it pulls less power and runs a lot cooler. That's 'progress' for you...

(*shrug...*)

Mike.

@INSPIRON_E1505_USER

You said:

"I saw a tool on here which you can limit the CPU frequency".

Some get a bit confused with 'Limit Frequency' and 'Clocking'.

So I thought that, instead of getting bogged down with techy speak, an answer from ChatGPT would be quicker, easier and more understandable.

Hope this helps:
.

Limiting the CPU frequency and clocking a PC are related concepts, but they are not the same thing.

Limiting the CPU Frequency:
This refers to intentionally reducing the maximum frequency (or clock speed) at which the CPU operates. It can be done to save power, reduce heat, or extend battery life (in laptops, for example).

This can be achieved using software, such as through power management settings or CPU control utilities (e.g., in BIOS or OS-level tools).
Limiting the frequency essentially prevents the CPU from reaching its highest performance potential by capping how fast it can go.

Clocking a PC (Overclocking or Underclocking):
Clocking usually refers to the process of changing the base clock (BCLK) or CPU multiplier to increase (overclocking) or decrease (underclocking) the overall frequency of the CPU.

Overclocking: Increasing the CPU's clock speed beyond the manufacturer's rated specifications to achieve higher performance.

Underclocking: Reducing the clock speed to make the system run slower but more power-efficient and less heat-generating.

Overclocking or underclocking involves manual adjustments to the hardware settings, typically through BIOS/UEFI or specialized software, to change the CPU's performance characteristics.

Key Differences:

Limiting CPU Frequency is about capping the maximum potential speed for reasons like power saving or thermal management.
Clocking refers to actively changing the clock speed to either boost performance (overclocking) or reduce it (underclocking).

So while both involve adjusting the CPU's frequency, limiting it is more about setting a restriction, while clocking is typically about modifying the frequency to suit performance or power goals.
.

If you decide to go ahead don't forget to back up everything first. The potential for turning a pc into an expensive door-stop awaits. This is not for the inexperienced in this matter.

BookwormPup64 uses a new method to control and use memory(RAM).

So do not get all bent out of shape if you see it using a lot.

It uses ZRAM method to use RAM.

Linux ZRAM is a kernel module that provides a compressed block device in memory.
It is typically used to increase the effective amount of RAM by compressing memory pages before storing them in RAM.
This helps systems with limited physical memory by improving performance and reducing the likelihood of swapping to disk, which is slower.

Basically RAM will work, as if there is about double the actual physical amount of RAM, in the computer.

Best way to see exactly what RAM is doing is program Pup-Sysinfo ->Devices ->Memory

@Chelsea80
@INSPIRON_E1505_USER

The AI response for this is way out of bounds as it applies to Puppy. The CPU frequency app is an easy method that has been used for many years. Never been any reports of bad results. Personally use it on all my systems (which is a lot).

wizard

@wizard
@INSPIRON_E1505_USER

Apologies for my ignorance regarding the use in Puppy.

I was not trying to give misinformation, just thought it might be helpful to explain the differences and possible pitfalls.

So I suggest that my post quoting AI be disregarded or even deleted by a Mod.

Just my opinion, I will never installed BWP for CPU: T7600 which also you have only 3GB ram.
My suggestion, you can install like S15 or fossapup or F96 or slacko