I thought I have a go at a sticky regards Intels speedstep which catches a few people out 
Intel speedstep reduces the cpu's multiplier when idle and raises when required, this helps to conserve power when idle and can help with noise and heat.
Most people notice this when running programes like CPU-Z, this is not fault with the cpu or motherboard.
Intel speedstep can be disabled if required through the motherboards BIOS.
You will need to look for C1E (Enhanced Halt State) & EIST (Enhanced Intel Speedstep® Technology), but some boards may use different names/terms, checking the manual should help.
Keeping speedstep enabled is down to personal choice. I have mine enabled and not had any stability problems.
Link to wikipedia: Clicky
If the mulitiplier does not change when stressed it may be the BIOS has not detected the multiplier correctly and manual change may be required or a BIOS update if the CPU is a new edition - You will need to check the manufacturers web site for cpu support and how to update the BIOS.
Hopefully the above can be of use to people and that I have not made a complete fool of myself
Intel Turbo Boost:
This allows the cpu to increase the multiplier when the cpu is stressed above it's normal default setting, this gives the user a performance boost when needed.
When Overclocking some people keep this enabled to give them a performance boost when needed, I have mine disabled and have cpu run at 4ghz with speedstep enabled.
Different cpu models have different levels of Turbo Boost, linked below is information from Intel which explains better than I can, also there is a link which you can download to check if your Turbo boost is enabled and working.
http://www.intel.com/technology/turboboost/
http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/cs-029908.htm
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25994/Intel-Turbo-Boost-Max-Technology-3-0
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The Above also goes for the new Sandy Bridge chips as well.
Programs which can be of used:
CPU-Z - Shows cpu info and multiplier settings:
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
Prime - Use for testing cpu stability and to ensure the multiplier does increase when speedstep is enabled.
http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/
Intel speedstep reduces the cpu's multiplier when idle and raises when required, this helps to conserve power when idle and can help with noise and heat.
Most people notice this when running programes like CPU-Z, this is not fault with the cpu or motherboard.
Intel speedstep can be disabled if required through the motherboards BIOS.
You will need to look for C1E (Enhanced Halt State) & EIST (Enhanced Intel Speedstep® Technology), but some boards may use different names/terms, checking the manual should help.
Keeping speedstep enabled is down to personal choice. I have mine enabled and not had any stability problems.
Link to wikipedia: Clicky
If the mulitiplier does not change when stressed it may be the BIOS has not detected the multiplier correctly and manual change may be required or a BIOS update if the CPU is a new edition - You will need to check the manufacturers web site for cpu support and how to update the BIOS.
Hopefully the above can be of use to people and that I have not made a complete fool of myself
Intel Turbo Boost:
This allows the cpu to increase the multiplier when the cpu is stressed above it's normal default setting, this gives the user a performance boost when needed.
When Overclocking some people keep this enabled to give them a performance boost when needed, I have mine disabled and have cpu run at 4ghz with speedstep enabled.
Different cpu models have different levels of Turbo Boost, linked below is information from Intel which explains better than I can, also there is a link which you can download to check if your Turbo boost is enabled and working.
http://www.intel.com/technology/turboboost/
http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/cs-029908.htm
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25994/Intel-Turbo-Boost-Max-Technology-3-0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Above also goes for the new Sandy Bridge chips as well.
Programs which can be of used:
CPU-Z - Shows cpu info and multiplier settings:
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
Prime - Use for testing cpu stability and to ensure the multiplier does increase when speedstep is enabled.
http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft/
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(mind you I am new to modern processors as I've only recently upgraded to a modern processor - Q9650 with my old CPU being an Athlon XP3000+ 
, CPU-Z is a handy little tool to use 