Why is my processor speed set lower than it should be?

Question

Well I built a new computer (well, out of old parts, just new power supply and added 1gb of RAM) .
I put a Pentium 4 2.8ghz processor in, and it seems to be set at 2.1ghz. It shows like this...

Intel(R)
Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.8ghz
2.09ghz, 1.00 GB of RAM

I went into bios, but it won't let me edit the CPU speed at all, it's locked or something.

Or, is that showing the ghz of the RAM??

I actually increased the power supply from the old one, so I don't think that it not giving it enough power is the problem.

I just ran Belarc Advisor, and it says this
2.10 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4

Answer 1

If the board does not support the require speed and ratio for the chip this is what happens. Also, some boards have jumpers to set the correct chip speed, but changing these without the manual can be fatal to both board and chip.

Answer 2

If the wattage of the power supply is too low it will reduce the output and rating of the CPU. Buy a new power supply around 500 watts or higher and should fix problem

Answer 3

If you only added a power supply and ram it shouldn't have changed anything ... unless of course you decreased the power output and the processor isn't getting enough juice ...that would account for the slower cpu speed

Answer 4

If I understand right, your good, no worries. You said you put a p4 2.8 in it, and from the information you shared your computer shows 2.8. so your ok, look at the number past "4 CPU" it says 2.8 ghz. that top number is right, your fine. Dont worry about BIOS, you will generally set that to overclock, but in this situation its not necessary.

Answer 5

if all else fails buy a new cpu

Answer 6

If your speed is off, it's usually because of a jumper setting. Look for the manual and check it for a clock speed jumper.