Core speed not going down, bad?

Temp.sgk · 29 Sep 2013 at 18:45

My system is not under any load whats so ever, but according to cpu-z my core speed still stays at 4400 mhz. What is wrong?

Im using a msi-g45 motherboard with an i5 4670k oc to 4.4

swiftmetal · 29 Sep 2013 at 18:48

Did you disable Intel speed step tech or the like off and the like when you over clocked your CPU if you did then that is why.

Temp.sgk · 29 Sep 2013 at 18:53

Sorry I don't understand you, what do you mean by the like off, or the like? Anyway is it bad though to always have 4.4 even without load.

swiftmetal · 29 Sep 2013 at 19:18

In the bios when you where over clocking your CPU you will have been told to turn off speed step technology and all the c states ( the like I refered to ) to make your over clock more stable but yes it will make you CPU stay at whatever you clocked it even without load.

Temp.sgk · 29 Sep 2013 at 19:58

So is it safe? Nothing is really wrong? Any side effects? Or is it even better? That is what I want to know.

tingting44 · 29 Sep 2013 at 22:05

id prefer it to underclock when not at any load if it were me...

wazza300 · 29 Sep 2013 at 22:10

Be sure to use latest CPU-z,and enable all c states in the BIOS and Intel speedstep

Confused Stu · 30 Sep 2013 at 01:17

Also check Windows Power Settings - this should be set to balanced, if it's set to performance then your CPU won't downclock.

While running 4.4GHz all the time isn't a disaster, processors are designed to idle when they can and ramp up when required. Modern processors ramp up so quickly, and it generally doesn't affect overclocking potential, so there's no real advantage to forcing them to run at a higher speed all the time, other than higher temperatures and electricity bills. Even F1 drivers let their cars idle in the pits rather than redline them at standstill unnecessarily.