World Magazine 2024
The Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility was developed by Intel Corporation to enable consumers the ability to identify and, in some circumstances, determine if their Intel processor is operating at the correct and rated frequency intended by Intel Corporation. Beginning with the Pentium® processor, this utility provides consumers with the ability to determine standard CPU identification of Intel processors. In addition, supported processors can utilize the Frequency Test feature of the utility to help determine if a processor has been over-clocked.
Version 3.5 of the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility has been updated to support the new Pentium® 4, Pentium III, Mobile Pentium III with Intel SpeedStep™ technology, Pentium III Xeon™ and Intel Celeron™ processors with 66, 100, and 133 MHz system memory bus products, as well as adding new processor identification functionality (CPUID). Please see the supported processors list for more detail.
There are two versions of the utility available. The Windows version of the utility can be used with systems that support the Windows operating system environment. The “Bootable” version of the utility does not require an operating system. By installing the tool on a bootable device (e.g. floppy drive) the tool is run as the system is booted, but before the PC’s operating system is loaded. This is normally done from a PC’s floppy “A:” drive.
Product Features
There are two separate testing and reporting capabilities in the Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility represented by unique tabs. Each tab has specific features and acts independent of the other. There are also two versions of the utility that are available on this website – a Windows* version, and a bootable version for non-Windows operating system environments.
Installation Guide
Operating System Support
The Microsoft Windows* version of the Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility operates under the following Windows operating systems:
- Windows* 95
- Windows* 98
- Windows NT* Versions 4.0 and above (all service packs included)
- Windows* 2000 Professional, Server, Advanced Server
- Windows* Me
Note: For successful installation and use with Windows NT and Windows 2000, it is required that the user have system administrative rights.
Installation
- Download the Windows* version of the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility.
- For Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0 and above: Select Run in the Windows Start menu. Browse to the location where you have saved the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility program. Select the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility program, choose Open, and then click on OK.
Note: For successful installation and use with Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000, it is required that the user have system administrative rights. Windows NT 3.51 is no longer supported. Use the bootable version of the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility for systems which have Windows NT 3.51 installed.
- In the utility’s Welcome screen, click Next to continue.
- At the Software License screen, click Yes to accept the software license agreement.
- In the Choose Destination Location Install screen, choose the destination location and folder name for the program installation and click Next to continue.
Note: The Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility is installed under the Programs folder in the Start menu, by default.
- Follow the on-screen instructions for the program installation.
- Click Finish in the Setup Complete window.
- Installation is now complete. It is not necessary to restart the computer before running the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility.
Running the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility
- From the Start menu, select Programs, Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility, and select the Processor Frequency ID Utility program.
- At the Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility License Agreement screen, click Accept.
- The Processor Frequency ID Utility screen will appear and display information about your processor.
Multiprocessor or Dual Processor support
Multiprocessor or dual processor support is only available with the Windows NT* and Windows 2000 operating systems. The Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility has the ability to determine the frequency of each processor in a multiprocessor system. Any multiprocessor menu or toolbar selections are disabled in platforms with operating systems other than Windows NT* or Windows 2000. The application also includes an indicator for which processor is currently being tested.
Download Utility (Windows* Version) (Intel Site)
Download Utility (Windows* Version) (Alternate Server)
Version 3.5
Version 3.5 of the utility is now available. The utility can be downloaded here in a self-extracting .exe file format. The download file size is approximately 1.07 MB, and takes about 5-6 minutes to download on a 28.8 Kb modem.
Frequency Test Tab (Windows* Version)
On 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 “over-clocked”.
Please note that the utility will automatically enable the Frequency Testing Tab only if you are using a system with a supported processor.
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.
CPUID Data Tab (Windows Version)
Some operating systems can misidentify new processors. The CPUID Data Tab of the Intel® Processor Frequency ID Utility properly identifies Intel products beginning with the Pentium processor. It also displays the brand name for the Pentium III processor family.
For Intel processors starting from the Pentium processor generation, the utility identifies the product’s brand designation (product name) and displays information about the processor’s cache size, multimedia instructions, and Intel manufacturing designations. This information is occasionally helpful when communicating with Intel about a customer’s specific processor.
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. See the Reported Information for more detail.
CPUID Data Tab
The CPUID Data Tab can be used to identify processors as far back as the Pentium® processor, and will report the following information:
- Intel processor name
- Processor Family
- Processor Type
- Processor Model
- Processor Stepping
- Cache size
- Packaging
- (Windows NT* and Windows* 2000 only) Which processor was tested in a multiprocessor system, and total number of processors
No speed testing processor functions/operations are reported with this feature.
Interpreting Information Reported on the CPUID Data Tab
There are four kinds of messages that you will see in relation to the processor information: Type, Family, Model, and Stepping.
- Type Message “Type” indicates whether the Intel processor was intended for installation by a consumer (end user) or by a professional PC system manufacturer. Intel processors intended for end user installation will have a “1” in the dialog box. A “0” in the “type” box indicates that the processor tested was intended for installation by a professional PC system integrator, service company or manufacturer.
- Family Message
This classification indicates the Intel processor generation and brand. (For example, the Pentium® III processor is a sixth generation processor.) - Model Message The “model” number identifies to Intel the processor’s manufacturing technology and design generation. This information is occasionally needed when communicating with Intel to determine the processor’s internal designation.
- Stepping Message
The “stepping” number indicates design or manufacturing revision data for production Intel processors. This classification may be needed by Intel in determining the processor’s internal design or manufacturing characteristics.
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. We gratefully acknowledge the Intel Corporation for the information provided above.
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