CPU Constantly On Turbo ?

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 19:11

I just downloaded CPU-Z, and it says in the description that my CPU is the i5-2500K @ 3.3GHz, which is correct. And the Turbo Boost is set to the default 3.7GHz.

However, in the bottom section 'Core Speed', it shows 3711.4 MHz (constantly varying ever so slightly) at all times, not just when I'm doing anything intensive.
Like I just turned on my computer and opened CPU-Z up straight away and it says it running at 3.7 GHz :/

Is my CPU really running at 3.7 constantly? And if so, why?

Any help would be much appreciated.

stulid · 1 Sep 2011 at 19:14

Is Speedstep disabled in the bios?

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 19:19

Speedstep is enabled.

stulid · 1 Sep 2011 at 19:22

Is the cpu multiplier/ratio on auto? or is it set to 37?

Is there a separate setting for Turboboost? is this on enabled/disabled?

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 19:36

All settings are set to Auto.

I haven't changed anything within the BIOS since I got it. I'm using the Asus P8P67.

stulid · 1 Sep 2011 at 19:39

Bios update?

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 19:44

Fully updated.

stulid · 1 Sep 2011 at 19:49

have you used AI suiteII? the description also mentions an "TPU" switch at the bottmo edge of the board?

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:00

I've used AI Suite 2 to set some of my fan speeds, haven't touched the CPU settings at all.

As for the TPU, it is written on the board towards the bottom left middle, but I can't see a switch. In the top corner there is an EPU switch if that has anything to do with anything?

stulid · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:01

I got no idea as I dont have it, Im almost out of ideas

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:08

RJC · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:10

Tried doing a CMOS reset! - may already done this

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:20

Woah, just went into the power settings in control panel, and saw that it was set to "Gaming Mode Power Plan - Game Booster's Power Plan, activated when switch to Gaming Mode".

I may have installed Game Booster at one point, but I don't have it installed now. :/

Anyways, when I switched it from this to "Balanced - Recommended", CPU-Z showed the core speed gone down to 1600 MHz !

I'm confused now

Why are the power settings changing my CPU freq. ?

And "Power Saver" sets it to 1600, and "High Performance" sets it at 3700. :/

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:23

It also changes the voltage as well :/ Oh god, I'm worried now. I don't know what to set it on for now or anything :/

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:39

Just did a CMOS Reset, only thing I altered in the BIOS was the RAM Freq. and Timings, then booted up. Still running at 3.7

RJC · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:43

I believe the voltage will drop when the cpu speed drops!

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:48

Yer it does, but I was scared when it dropped the speed right the way down to 1.6 when it's set to 3.3 in the BIOS etc. Scared that it could ruin the CPU, switching from 3.7 to 1.6 instantly and then back again

RJC · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:54

The cpu is designed to do this, pretty much all Intel & AMD cpus have been doing this for years and this includes laptop cpu's as well.

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 20:56

Hm, OK then. But still have no clue why it's either 1.6 or 3.7, not 3.3 like it is set as. :/

chivs688 · 1 Sep 2011 at 21:05

So is it ok for me to just leave it at 3.7 GHz ?

CPU-Z says that it is running at around 3712.2 MHz (constantly varying slightly) with a voltage that varies slightly around the 1.216 V mark (changes between 1.216, 1.224, and 1.232).

Am I safe to stay at these settings for now?