CPU always running max frequency

[omricn]

Hi everybody,

 

I've had the opportunity to pick up an HP G6 tower with insane specs for next to nothing$ so I decided to retire my 6 YO PC and switch to this one.

Primary spec is:

*i9-10900

*32gb ram

*1TB NVMe

 

The thing is - CPU is always running at max frequency at ~4.5GHz, and while the PC is capable of almost anything it's drawback is cooling efficiency as the case itself is not so much gaming oriented, so I'm left with a hot CPU, fan noise and basically a mini oven in my room.

 

Things I've tried are:

- checking all running applications and processes:

This is not the case as CPU is at max freq at all times, even when computer is under no load at all.

 

- Updating BIOS:

Done

 

- Checking BIOS settings:

I found only one BIOS setting which I don't remember by name at the moment (I think it is related to Turbo Mode) but when I switched it off the CPU never throttled up above 2.8 GHz which is it's basic no-boost freq.

 

- Change the OS power plan from max performance to balanced to power saving - CPU was not affected, still running at mac freq.

 

I'll try to dig in the BIOS again but it is a very basic BIOS so any input would be appreciated

[Somerandomtechyboi]

Upgrade the cooler .-.

 

If it doesnt fit then just run it without the sidepanel

[omricn]

The cooler is not the issue, CPU does not need to run at max freq at all times, it should throttle down to ~1-1.5 GHz while idle.

[omricn]

Anyone?

[wONKEyeYEs]

On 8/10/2021 at 1:46 AM, omricn said:

always running at max frequency

Have you checked here?

 

[omricn]

Yep of course

[unclewebb]

On 8/10/2021 at 12:56 AM, omricn said:

it should throttle down to ~1-1.5 GHz while idle.

This will only happen if the CPU has absolutely nothing to do. Modern CPUs save power and run cool when you enable the low power C states. You do not have to slow them down to a crawl if the C states are enabled. Have you checked what C states your CPU is using? My cores average 99% in the low power C7 state.

 

 

Here is a similar 10 core CPU that runs fast when idle and very cool. Slowing the CPU down saves next to nothing.

 

 

 

If you cannot figure out what is wrong with your computer, download ThrottleStop and post some screenshots.

 

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-throttlestop/

 

The Speed Shift EPP (Energy Performance Preference) setting is what controls whether a CPU will slow down or not when it is lightly loaded. The Windows Balanced power plan typically sets this to 84. You can check the FIVR monitoring table to see what EPP value your CPU is using. When EPP is set to 0, this tells the CPU to run at full speed regardless of load. 

 

The biggest problem is too many background tasks. Check out the C0% data that ThrottleStop shows on its main screen. This is an extremely accurate measure of how much stuff is running in the background. 

 

Using ThrottleStop to lower the CPU voltage can significantly reduce the heat output of Intel's 10 core CPUs. This will help reduce fan noise. Here is a full load Cinebench stress test in progress with the cores just a hair over 60°C.

 

 

Run HWiNFO and see if it reports anything for VCore voltage during a Cinebench stress test. The voltage is probably higher than what it needs to be.

 

When switching from the Windows Balanced power plan to the Windows Power Saver power plan, I get uber low MHz when idle. You can make these CPUs do whatever you want them to do as long as they are setup correctly.