Conclusion
Our configuration offers home-made measures to make up for the manufacturer shortcomings. In fact, our modifications took only 30 minutes to complete at a minimum cost and low risk. The result is a processor that, after the modification, is recognized by BIOS as an AthlonXP-M.
The range of functions also gets bumped up: with the help of CrystalCPUID, the multiplier can be freely chosen from all possible values offered by the processor during operation. It also becomes immediately apparent whether the motherboard supports this operation or not. If not, the system crashes and you are left to choose a lower multiplier, FSB speed or CPU core voltage in the BIOS.
If the endeavor is successful, though, the multiplier can then be changed during operation based on your needs. You might choose, for example, full speed when you're working with the system and a low speed when the PC is performing more rudimentary tasks that do not require high processor speeds, such as downloading files. The processor fan can be adjusted accordingly, as we have demonstrated.
The only limitation is the CPU core voltage that cannot be varied under Windows - AMD keeps the corresponding utility under lock and key for security reasons. Thus a compromise between maximum and minimum speed is called for.
It has also become apparent that only a great deal of effort will induce a Pentium 4 to operate passively and deliver full performance. The reason for this is the fixed multiplier, which has been blocked to user access for many years. Only AMD continues to offer the option of changing the multiplier - the Athlon64 models for Sockets 754 and 939 master this. In the future, this type of feature should be doubly welcome because it would keep electricity bills lower and expand the processors' possible uses. And here's exactly where the problem lies - which chip maker will want to let users transform a normal CPU into a mobile CPU, and thereby take a chunk out of their own shares in the mobile market?
