World Magazine 2024
Intel(R) Processor Frequency ID Utility reports the processor frequency for supported processors, the utility runs a speed test algorithm to determine the processor’s operating frequency and compares it to the processor’s expected frequency. Both the reported frequency and expected frequency are displayed on the Frequency Test Tab. If the processor is determined to be running as expected, the utility shows positive test with a “pass” icon. If the utility determines that the processor is running above it’s expected frequency, it cautions the user that the tested processor appears to be running above its expected frequency – a condition commonly referred to as “overclocked”.
Operating System Support
The Bootable version is operating system independent. After you create the bootable floppy, you can take it to any platform, reboot, and check on the status of your Intel® processor.
Installation Guide (Bootable Version)
This version of the utility is designed to be used as a “boot disk” on Intel® processor-based systems not running Windows* 95/98/Me/NT/2000 – based operating systems. The instructions below guide you through making a diskette containing the utility that can then be used to test your system. The diskette will then be used to “boot” your system. All you need is a pre-formatted floppy diskette and a DOS-based (Windows* 95/98/Me/NT/2000 will work as well) system from which you can access the internet and download files. This download will not work in DOS-emulation windows, as found in some operating systems such as Linux.
Please note that the utility does not support creating the bootable version using an LS120 drive. To run on an LS120 drive, please create the bootable floppy using a regular disk on a standard floppy drive.
Instructions for creating the floppy
- When you are ready to download, select download the Bootable version.
- Select “Save this program to disk” and click on “OK.”
- The system will save the program in your c:\temp directory as the default. If you would like to change the location for the download, select a different directory, then click “Save.”
- Open up a DOS prompt window and launch the download from the temp directory (or other directory you chose) by typing in the filename.
- At the software license screen, type “1” to accept the terms and conditions of the software license agreement when prompted.
- Insert your pre-formatted floppy diskette into the floppy drive and hit any key to let the system know that a floppy diskette has been inserted. Warning: Any data on this floppy disk will be erased.
- The tool will extract the bootable version of the utility onto your floppy diskette.
- When finished, the tool will return you to the DOS prompt. If you started the file by double clicking on it instead of following the instructions in step#4, the command prompt window will close when the diskette is finished. Note: Do not attempt to view the contents of the floppy disk. The system will not recognize the floppy diskette.
- To use the Bootable version, eject the floppy and insert it into the computer system you wish to test. Power down and reboot the system with the Bootable floppy in the drive. The utility will automatically run.
Download Utility (Bootable Version)
The Bootable version Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility can be downloaded here in a .com file format. The download file size is 47 KB, and takes about 1 minute to download on a 28.8 KB modem. You will need a DOS or Windows based operating system from which you can access the internet to download this file. This download will not work in DOS-emulation windows, as found in some operating systems such as Linux.
Download Version 3.6 (Intel Server
Download Version 3.6 (Our Server)
Reported Information (Bootable Version)
Starting with the Pentium® processor, the bootable version of the Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility can be used to identify Intel processors, and will report the following information:
- Intel processor name
- Processor Family
- Processor Type
- Processor Model
- Processor Stepping
- Cache size
- Package Type
When the utility is run on a processor that does not support the Frequency ID test such as an Intel® CeleronTM processor manufactured using the 0.25 micron manufacturing process, it will report only the following:
- Proper Intel processor brand identification
- Processor and system bus expected frequencies
- Processor and system bus reported frequencies
- Accompanying this information is a message informing the user whether the processor is operating at its expected frequency
Running the utility on a Pentium® III processor based system:
When the utility is run on a processor that does not support the Frequency ID test such as an Intel Celeron processor manufactured using the 0.25 micron manufacturing process, it will report only the following:
- CPUID data (processor type, family, model, and stepping)
- Packaging type
- Level 1 and Level 2 cache sizes
- MMXTM technology support
- Streaming SIMD extensions support
Running the utility on an Intel Celeron processor based system that does not support the Frequency ID test:
Common Terms Used to Describe Processor Issues
| Expected Frequency | This is the frequency at which Intel intended the processor and the system bus to run. This should be the speed physically marked on the processor’s packaging. |
| Reported Frequency | This is the actual operating frequency of the processor and system bus as measured by the utility. |
| Overclocked | Processors or system bus that run above their expected frequencies are considered to be overclocked. Overclocked processors or system bus can produce unpredictable results or system instabilities, which might not be readily apparent. The life of the processor may also be shortened. |
Supported Processors
The list below shows the processors that are supported by the Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility. The table also shows which Tabs are available for each supported processor.
The Windows* version of the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility has two separate testing & reporting capabilities represented by unique Tabs. Each Tab has specific features and acts independent of the other. In the Windows version, see the section on the Frequency Test Tab or the CPUID Data Tab for more information.
Note: The descriptions of the features of the utility on this page are for the Windows version. The bootable version of the utility reports the same information as the Windows version in a single screen text format.
| Processors that are supported by the utility | Frequency ID Tab supported? |
CPUID Tab supported? |
| Pentium® 4 processors | Yes | Yes |
| Pentium® III processors | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Pentium® III processors with Intel SpeedStep™ technology | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Pentium® III processors | Yes | Yes |
| Pentium III Xeon™ processors | Yes | Yes |
| Pentium II processors | No | Yes |
| Mobile Pentium II processors | No | Yes |
| Pentium II Xeon processors | No | Yes |
| Intel® Celeron™ processors with 0.18 micron core | Yes | Yes |
| Intel® Celeron™ processors with 0.25 micron core | No | Yes |
| Pentium Pro processors | No | Yes |
| Pentium processors | No | Yes |
| Mobile Pentium processors | No | Yes |
| Pentium processors with MMX™ technology | No | Yes |
| Mobile Pentium processors with MMX™ technology | No | Yes |
Notice: Intel® and Pentium® are trademarks of the Intel Corporation. Windows® 95, Windows® 98, Windows® NT, Windows® 2000 and
Microsoft® Office are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. We gratefully acknowledge the Intel Corporation for the information provided above.
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