Question about CPU Multiplier.

[Piemaker]

Hello, I have recently bought a gtx 1070 , unfortunately my CPU seems to be bottle nicking it rising to 100% in most recent titles and not showing the desired performance.
So I tried to check my CPU settings to get some extra performance, my processor is a locked (I5 4440) running at 3.1 ghz with turbo boost of 3.3 ghz , looking at the BIOS i saw the CPU multiplier set at AUTO with value of 3.1 ghz , I was able to change that to Maximum value of 3.3 ghz without changing any additional settings, and then I ran The Witcher 3 in Novigrad and noticed an increase of 7 fps, a very decent one considering the small change.
So will leaving my processor at 3.3 ghz damage it by any sort ? is this even considered overclocking considering the CPU is already locked ?  
A forward thanks.

[iRileyx]

Its not overclocking as its not over the CPU's maximum specified speed.
and as long as the temperatures are alright (which they most likely will be, otherwise it wouldnt have the turbo to 3.3ghz) you won't cause any damage to the cpu.

[Godlygamer23]

As long as the voltage is still okay, and temperatures are alright, I see no issue with that.

[Piemaker]

Thank you for your replies gentlemen, the temperature is the same as it was and I haven't even touched the voltage settings, so I guess it will cause no harm, that's great  I'm planning to upgrade to an I7 4790K  (used one and selling my old) but for the time being I guess that will be my middle ground.
Still just wondering why would the system go for a slower clock speed if it's within normal range and cause no harm ???

[Godlygamer23]

1 minute ago, Piemaker said:

Thank you for your replies gentlemen, the temperature is the same as it was and I haven't even touched the voltage settings, so I guess it will cause no harm, that's great  I'm planning to upgrade to an I7 4790K  (used one and selling my old) but for the time being I guess that will be my middle ground.
Still just wondering why would the system go for a slower clock speed if it's within normal range and cause no harm ???

The clock speeds are like that because Intel is trying to keep the CPU within its thermal and power requirements. In the case of your CPU, when one core is stressed out, it can increase its frequency while the others remain at a lower frequency, allowing the CPU to still remain in its thermal and power requirements, but give increased performance in your single threaded task. Once all the cores are loaded, the clock speeds will normalize and they'll all be running at the same clock speed, assuming temperatures are okay, and the motherboard is able to feed the CPU.

[Piemaker]

So by changing the CPU multiplier to 3.3 ghz is like turning turbo boost all the time or at least something like.

[Godlygamer23]

Just now, Piemaker said:

So by changing the CPU multiplier to 3.3 ghz is like turning turbo boost all the time or at least something like.

Yup. And by doing that, you are technically exceeding Intel's set thermal and power limits, but no worries. The CPU is fine.

[Piemaker]

Thank you sir @Godlygamer23  

[Godlygamer23]

Just now, Piemaker said:

Thank you sir @Godlygamer23  

You're welcome.