[Problem!] CPU idles at maximum speed

[mrteeheetummytums]

Right I'll dive straight into the problem. I recently just build a rig using intel's i5 3570k and a ASrock Z77 extreme 4. I wanted to start overlcocking when I noticed that at idle with all programs closed the CPU idles at 3600MHz. I've only seen suggestions that I use the 'balanced' power plan instead of 'high performance'. However my cpu still idles at 3600MHz with 'balanced' and will only go down to 1600MHz when I use 'power saver'. I changed the advanced settings of both 'balanced' and 'power saver' to be exactly the same yet my cpu still idles at 3600MHz when 'balanced' is selected. I have made sure my speedstep is indeed enabled in the BIOS and quite frankly I don't know what else to do besides a clean install of windows and checking CPU-Z in between every driver install to find the culprit if a software is to be blamed. Any ideas?

[Paperchase]

Well, are you using Auto voltage in your bios, or are you using a fixed voltage that you set yourself?

Whenever i set the voltage on my CPU to anything else than auto, I always have a static clock frequency. However if I have the voltage set to 'auto'

I get a more flexible, or dynamic clock frequency. (1.6Ghz - 3.5Ghz).depending on the load put on the system of course.

[kght22]

pictures of the bios maybe (just use a camera) and i, and i suspect others would like to see screenshots of the temperature and a cpu-z summary link. it is hard to advise without seeing the problem, unless you have encountered the same issue before, all you can do is guess without seeing it. so pictures of your bios setup, your cpu temp (and active speed if you use a program like core temp) and the cpu-z online summary can help.

[Umeshwarnath]

where you doing something in the background when in cpu-z...???? like youtube or something?? if not speed step could be the only culprit......why don't you try clear CMOS.

[Dave :)]

Pictures of BIOS would help, however you can also try to clear your CMOS which resets your BIOS to default. You can do this a couple ways: If your board has a CLR_CMS jumper near the bottom right ( could be bottom left ) of the board, find something to short that connection out; a flathead screwdriver is a good option. The other method, and probably easier, is to remove the battery. It's round and fairly obvious, simply push in the metal tab and pop the battery out. Leave it out for up to 1 minute, then put it back in.

[mrteeheetummytums]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. So far you guys have been more helpful than ocn : D

Here are 2 screenshots of CPU-Z and the temps. Nothing besides drivers were running in the background

I wasn't quite sure what to take in the bios so I only snapped a few regarding the CPU. I hope its readable

[mrteeheetummytums]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. So far you guys have been more helpful than ocn : D

Here are 2 screenshots of CPU-Z and the temps. Nothing besides drivers were running in the background

I wasn't quite sure what to take in the bios so I only snapped a few regarding the CPU. I hope its readable

Maybe I will just load BIOS defaults seeing how I don't remember changing anything in the BIOS in the first place

[JoshB_21]

This is completely normal for cpus to do as long as they are cool enough, I had the exact same thing and thought it was a problem, your pc will be fine at whatever power setting you choose.