CPU Utilization low while CPU Timings high causing entire system to lag

[Frayed]

Today I booted up my computer and was going about my business when very suddenly my computer started lagging incredibly hard. My mouse movements are laggy, applications lag, games do not play as they should. Need help with what could be happening, I suspect it may be a CPU related issue but I'm not 100% sure. 

 

PC Specs:
i9-9900K

MSI 3080ti
ASUS Z390-A Motherboard
32GB DDR4 Corsair Vengeance PRO
Corsair RM850x PSU


Some info that I've been able to gather + some steps I've already taken:
- All up to date drivers and windows updates are installed.

- Multiple virus scans done with Windows Defender.
- Power cycled pc a few times.

 

- Scrolling animations in any application whether it's windows explorer or discord or an internet browser is slow.

- Switching servers in discord is slow (discord is just slow in general)

- Through launching a few games, I've noticed programs do not want to start or take a long time to load.

- Call of Duty's built in telemetry says I have very high CPU timings (generally 40ms to upwards of 200ms)

 

There are no painfully apparent issues with my CPU besides that - Temps, performance numbers in TM and whatnot are all normal. Looking for any possible help in a direction I could take (or just if someone has dealt with this or knows of this issue). If more information is needed or reiterated in a different way please let me know. Just had a pretty decent lag spike typing that last sentence and the letters typed slowed down then caught back up.

 

Thank you much!

[Frayed]

I have now done the following and still no dice:

- Cleared CMOS
- Flashed BIOS
- Did a MEM check (Nothing was found)
 

 

Still looking for help, if there is any out there.

[unclewebb]

@Frayed

 

What hard drive do you have and how full is it? A failing hard drive can cause a lot of issues. 

 

ThrottleStop

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

 

Cinebench R23

https://www.techspot.com/downloads/7579-cinebench-r23.html

 

While Cinebench is running, open ThrottleStop and check to see if your CPU is running at a consistent speed. Push the Limits button to open the ThrottleStop Limit Reasons window. Are any boxes lighting up red under the CORE column? That would indicate throttling. 

 

Check the Log File box before you start testing so you have a record of your CPU performance. This log will include CPU speed, temperatures and any reasons for throttling. Attach a log file to your next post. Post screenshots of the main ThrottleStop window as well as the FIVR and TPL windows. What is your Cinebench score? 

[Frayed]

3 hours ago, unclewebb said:

@Frayed

 

What hard drive do you have and how full is it? A failing hard drive can cause a lot of issues. 

 

ThrottleStop

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

 

Cinebench R23

https://www.techspot.com/downloads/7579-cinebench-r23.html

 

While Cinebench is running, open ThrottleStop and check to see if your CPU is running at a consistent speed. Push the Limits button to open the ThrottleStop Limit Reasons window. Are any boxes lighting up red under the CORE column? That would indicate throttling. 

 

Check the Log File box before you start testing so you have a record of your CPU performance. This log will include CPU speed, temperatures and any reasons for throttling. Attach a log file to your next post. Post screenshots of the main ThrottleStop window as well as the FIVR and TPL windows. What is your Cinebench score? 

 

What hard drive do you have and how full is it? A failing hard drive can cause a lot of issues.

The OS is installed on a 1TB Samsung 970 EVO NVMe SSD. I've used chkhdk to check it as well as crystaldisk, both say it's in good health and CD says it's at 83%. It's been at around 80% full for this entire ordeal and a few days before this happened.

 

Are any boxes lighting up red under the CORE column? That would indicate throttling. 

Here is the log ("TS Log - BASE") & Limit Reasons before doing Cinebench R23:

TS Log - BASE.txt

 

 

It seems even before doing any testing it's throttling due to PL1 and because of that EDP Other is now happening? Not 100% sure if that is how it happens. I had TS installed before but haven't been using it for awhile.

 

 

 

Post screenshots of the main ThrottleStop window as well as the FIVR and TPL windows.

(And yes before you ask - I like mint green)

 

Here's the log file with the test:
TS Log - After Test.txt

 

Multi-core Cinebench Score: 1552

The Limits reasons is unchanged.

 

 

All in all it seems like there's definitely some throttling going on - but I'm not sure how it changed things on the fly to do this when it's not thermal related and it was in the middle of me just using the PC to watch youtube and play a game (Old School RuneScape lol).

Hoping I got everything you needed, let me know if I missed something. Thanks for the reply @unclewebb!

[Frayed]

I have since followed your advice on your own forums, and put the ICCMAX to 255 200 for both core and cache and that has temporarily solved the issue(?) I am still confused as to why it randomly happened in the first place so I am looking forward to your reply on the matter.

[unclewebb]

 

I always suggest setting IccMax for both the core and the cache to the max. That is 255.75 for your CPU. There is no reason to set IccMax to only 200.

 

5 hours ago, Frayed said:

why it randomly happened

Either the BIOS is not setting the IccMax register correctly or some software on your computer is not setting IccMax correctly. Any software can change the IccMax value at any time. Are you running any MSI control software on your computer? Some of their software is a buggy mess.

 

Your FIVR screenshot shows that IccMax is set to the minimum, 1.00. That is why your CPU is constantly EDP throttling. The CPU is being forced to run as slow as possible, 800 MHz. It keeps running slower and slower as it desperately tries to reduce the current down to 1.00 Amps. That is impossible. 

 

Why are you using ThrottleStop 9.5 when version 9.6 is available? Were you previously using ThrottleStop? Is it possible that you accidentally set IccMax to 1.00?

 

If you are interested in maximum performance, I would clear the Disable Controls box in the TPL window and I would set both PL1 and PL2 to at least 210. As long as you have good cooling, your CPU should be OK. If you want to run the 49 multiplier when all 8 cores are active, that is overclocking. Check the Overclock box in the FIVR window when you are overclocking.  

 

Both log files you posted show severe EDP throttling with the CPU not running any faster than 800 MHz regardless of load. With all of the recommended settings above, run another log file and run another Cinebench test. Delete the previous log file so there is no confusion. A 9900K happily running Cinebench at 4900 MHz should have much better results compared to the same CPU stuck at only 800 MHz. There is no legit reason for any throttling of any kind during Cinebench unless that is what you want. 

 

5 hours ago, Frayed said:

I like mint green

Your color scheme is definitely not for me. Whatever makes you happy! 

[Frayed]

1 hour ago, unclewebb said:

 

I always suggest setting IccMax for both the core and the cache to the max. That is 255.75 for your CPU. There is no reason to set IccMax to only 200.

 

Either the BIOS is not setting the IccMax register correctly or some software on your computer is not setting IccMax correctly. Any software can change the IccMax value at any time. Are you running any MSI control software on your computer? Some of their software is a buggy mess.

 

Your FIVR screenshot shows that IccMax is set to the minimum, 1.00. That is why your CPU is constantly EDP throttling. The CPU is being forced to run as slow as possible, 800 MHz. It keeps running slower and slower as it desperately tries to reduce the current down to 1.00 Amps. That is impossible. 

 

Why are you using ThrottleStop 9.5 when version 9.6 is available? Were you previously using ThrottleStop? Is it possible that you accidentally set IccMax to 1.00?

 

If you are interested in maximum performance, I would clear the Disable Controls box in the TPL window and I would set both PL1 and PL2 to at least 210. As long as you have good cooling, your CPU should be OK. If you want to run the 49 multiplier when all 8 cores are active, that is overclocking. Check the Overclock box in the FIVR window when you are overclocking.  

 

Both log files you posted show severe EDP throttling with the CPU not running any faster than 800 MHz regardless of load. With all of the recommended settings above, run another log file and run another Cinebench test. Delete the previous log file so there is no confusion. A 9900K happily running Cinebench at 4900 MHz should have much better results compared to the same CPU stuck at only 800 MHz. There is no legit reason for any throttling of any kind during Cinebench unless that is what you want. 

 

Your color scheme is definitely not for me. Whatever makes you happy! 

I haven't used ThrottleStop in months so I'll be honest I kinda forgot I had it on my system haha. I'll update it asap. As for setting it to max, does that just allow the CPU to use up to max needed? Or does it force the CPU to use max? I don't remember setting much other than making all cores go to 4.9MHz if I'm honest. I have MSI Afterburner for my GPU, that's about it and I haven't even used it in months either. Perhaps something was launched in the background though idk how it would have. 

As for the OC, I've never had any troubles with thermals before thankfully so hopefully I'm still golden on that front haha. I will put all of what you said into effect, and look into the bios for something out of wack.

Thank you so much for the help!

[unclewebb]

34 minutes ago, Frayed said:

does it force the CPU to use max?

A CPU will only use as much power or current as it needs to use. Power limits and current limits are just limits. Setting the limits to the max allows the CPU to stretch its legs and run at full speed. Avoiding EDP and power limit throttling helps improve performance and stability. 

 

All these throttling schemes Intel dreamed up are really not necessary.

[Frayed]

4 hours ago, unclewebb said:

A CPU will only use as much power or current as it needs to use. Power limits and current limits are just limits. Setting the limits to the max allows the CPU to stretch its legs and run at full speed. Avoiding EDP and power limit throttling helps improve performance and stability. 

 

All these throttling schemes Intel dreamed up are really not necessary.

Good to know, thank you so much for answering my questions! While I seem to be more proficient than some others at computers, I am no where near how proficient I want to be and you've answered some pretty interesting stuff for me!