Q9400 Identification?

idata — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 02:45:41 GMT

I've been trying to enable virtualisation on my Core-2 Quad Q9400 CPU (installed in a MSI IM-Q35 aka MS-9820 motherboard) but with no success, despite changing motherboard BIOS settings and even re-flashing latest BIOS.

The motherboard BIOS shows virtualisation is enabled but some software I've been trying out (Oracle VM 3.0.1) says virtualisation is not available.

Finally, I decided to download and run some Intel diagnostic tools to see what might be the problem ...the output from latest version (4.32) of Intel® Processor Identification Utility is very odd:

Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility

Version: 4.32.20110608

Time Stamp: 2011/09/04 23:37:18

Operating System: 5.1-2600-Service Pack 3

Number of processors in system: 1

Current processor: # 1

Active cores per processor: 4

Disabled cores per processor: 0

Processor Name: Future Intel(R) Processor

Type: 0

Family: 6

Model: 17

Stepping: A

Revision: 0

Maximum CPUID Level: D

L1 Instruction Cache: 4 x 32 KB

L1 Data Cache: 4 x 32 KB

L2 Cache: 2 x 3 MB

Packaging: Unknown

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Technology: No

MMX(TM): Yes

Intel(R) SSE: Yes

Intel(R) SSE2: Yes

Intel(R) SSE3: Yes

Intel(R) SSE4: No

Intel(R) AES-NI: No

Intel(R) AVX: No

Enhanced Halt State: No

Execute Disable Bit: Yes

Intel(R) Hyper-Threading Technology: No

Intel(R) 64 Architecture: No

Intel(R) Virtualization Technology: No

*************************************************************

...then I ran the Intel® Processor Diagnostic Tool (32-bit) on the same machine (on Windows XP SP3) and the output was:

--- IPDT - rev 1.36.0.1 ---

--- Start Time: 09/05/2011 09:39:18---

--- Skipping Config ---

--- Reading CPU Manufacturer ---

Expected --> GenuineIntel

Detected --> GenuineIntel

Found --- Genuine Intel Processor ---

--- Temperature Test ---

Temperature Test Passed!!!

Temperature = 65 degrees C below maximum.

--- Reading Brand String ---

Detected Brand String:

Brand string test failed!

--- Test End Time: 09/05/2011 09:39:18---

How can this CPU be classified as "Future Intel(R) Processor" given it was made some time prior to the identification software? ...very odd indeed.

Since then, I have tried the Q9400 CPU in a second, identical MSI IM-Q35 motherboard with same BIOS revision as first board but get the same results as above. The second board had a Q6600 CPU installed so I tested it (on both boards) using the Intel® Processor Identification Utility and got this result:

Intel(R) Processor Identification Utility

Version: 4.32.20110608

Time Stamp: 2011/09/06 02:03:51

Operating System: 5.1-2600-Service Pack 3

Number of processors in system: 1

Current processor: # 1

Active cores per processor: 4

Disabled cores per processor: 0

Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz

Type: 0

Family: 6

Model: F

Stepping: B

Revision: B6

Maximum CPUID Level: A

L1 Instruction Cache: 4 x 32 KB

L1 Data Cache: 4 x 32 KB

L2 Cache: 2 x 4 MB

Packaging: LGA775

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Technology: Yes

MMX(TM): Yes

Intel(R) SSE: Yes

Intel(R) SSE2: Yes

Intel(R) SSE3: Yes

Intel(R) SSE4: No

Intel(R) AES-NI: No

Intel(R) AVX: No

Enhanced Halt State: No

Execute Disable Bit: Yes

Intel(R) Hyper-Threading Technology: No

Intel(R) 64 Architecture: Yes

Intel(R) Virtualization Technology: Yes

Expected Processor Frequency: 2.40 GHz

Reported Processor Frequency: 2.40 GHz

Expected System Bus Frequency: 1066 MHz

Reported System Bus Frequency: 1066 MHz

*************************************************************

...both boards seem to be OK with a Q6600 but what about this bizarre Q9400?

Physical inspection of this Q9400 shows:

INTEL 06 Q9400

INTEL ® Core2 QUAD

SLB6B MALAY

2.66GHZ/6M/1333/05A

L950B771 04

...and on the substrate:

2L95153

5A0538

...seems 'normal'.

...BTW, this was a 'boxed' CPU purchased from a reputable supplier about eighteen months ago.

The MSI IM-Q35 motherboard user manual states that both 'Yorkfield' and 'Wolfdale' processors are supported and also indicates the board was tested with Q9450 CPU so I'd expect a Q9400 to be OK given they are both from the 'Yorkfield' family. Technically speaking the Q6600 is not supported on this board as it's from the earlier 'Kentsfield' family.

So, the question is whether my Q9400 is broken somehow or should I be looking at other possibilities?

Kind Regards,

pka

Re: Q9400 Identification?

Adolfo_S_Intel2 — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:46:31 GMT

I would suggest testing this processor on a different motherboard brand / model, to see if it causes the same behavior.

If that is the case, I would suggest calling Intel Customer Support center at:

http://www.intel.com/support/9089.htm http://www.intel.com/support/9089.htm

So they can assist you.

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