EggXpert

I finished my OC to 3.0GHz last night. I ran Orthos for 12 hours, ran the OCCT 30min. test, and Prime95. I shut down my computer for the night. When I booted up this morning into Vista, I looked at CPU-Z and it said that the clock speed was 2.0GHz, but the FSB was 333MHz. I then noticed that the mulitplier was set to 6x. So I rebooted and checked the BIOS and it said 9x. So I booted into Vista and the clock speed was 3.0GHz. I just checked it a little while ago and it said 2.0GHz and the multiplier was 6x! Is there a reason why my multiplier keeps changing without me touching it?! Please help!  

Thanks guys!

 

Check to make sure C1E and EIST (Speed Step) are set to disabled in the BIOS, they implement power saving measures when the processor is not in use, generally by lowering the multiplier and voltage. Once you check to make sure that is what is causing the change in the multiplier you can turn them back on if you desire;, when the computer is running at load, the multiplier should go back to max based on the CPU usage.

Also see these threads:

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/151404.aspx

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/152580.aspx

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/155354.aspx

 

Kevan

I take it you have one of the newer Intel cpus.  I forget what the setting is called but in the bios there is a setting that does this.  It is a power saving mode, that when the cpu is not being used it runs at a lower speed.  If you run some app and then run cpu-z you will see it at 3ghz not 2ghz.  You can turn this off in the bios, I am sure someone will post the exact name shortly.

 

*or even before my post appears*  

KevSC1:

Check to make sure C1E and EIST (Speed Step) are set to disabled in the BIOS, they implement power saving measures when the processor is not in use, generally by lowering the multiplier and voltage. Once you check to make sure that is what is causing the change in the multiplier you can turn them back on if you desire;, when the computer is running at load, the multiplier should go back to max based on the CPU usage.

Also see these threads:

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/151404.aspx

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/152580.aspx

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/155354.aspx

 

Kevan

 

I'll check for that feature in the BIOS, but I was sure that I had already disabled that. I actually had read the last thread that you have listed before I had this problem. There never was a solution, though, except to RMA the mobo. I'll post back what was in the BIOS. So, if that IS what's changing the multiplier and I decide to turn it on, it won't affect performance,will it? Or will the multiplier kick back up to 9x when it needs to?

 Thanks.

I personally leave it off, however turning on those features could help with the temperature. The power savings is not that great, but the lower temperature could increase the longevity of the CPU. It should jump up to full speed when the computer demands the processing power, I'm not sure how it calculates this or is there is any lag before you get up to full speed. Leaving it on probably won't affect your performance that much though.

Kevan

terencek:

KevSC1:

Check to make sure C1E and EIST (Speed Step) are set to disabled in the BIOS, they implement power saving measures when the processor is not in use, generally by lowering the multiplier and voltage. Once you check to make sure that is what is causing the change in the multiplier you can turn them back on if you desire;, when the computer is running at load, the multiplier should go back to max based on the CPU usage.

Also see these threads:

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/151404.aspx

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/152580.aspx

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/155354.aspx

 

Kevan

 

I'll check for that feature in the BIOS, but I was sure that I had already disabled that. I actually had read the last thread that you have listed before I had this problem. There never was a solution, though, except to RMA the mobo. I'll post back what was in the BIOS. So, if that IS what's changing the multiplier and I decide to turn it on, it won't affect performance,will it? Or will the multiplier kick back up to 9x when it needs to?

 Thanks.

I noticed pretty much the same problem with my overclock the other day, the multiplier would drop down to 6x when not under load or in use and Speedstep had been properly disabled in BIOS and Windows.
After thinking about it for a while I came to the conclusion that it just isn't a big deal and if anything its a good thing..  There really is not reason for your CPU to remain at a 9x multi when there is nothing to process... Right?
As long as you can perform this simple test I would say dont worry about it, and IMO a PITA RMA won't solve anything and if you ask me its a design flaw with Intel.  Far be it from a flaw to have the CPU reduce its multi when not under load with the intentions of saving power and unnecessary speed/reduced life from harming your CPU.  Because by all means when someone overclocks their new Intel they expect to see that speed 100% of the time damnit or... well something must be wrong.. Right?

1) Load CPU-Z
2) Have Comp at idle
3) Notice the 9x to 6x drop
4) Load a program
5) Notice how when the processor begins to throttle the multi is instantly raised back up to 9x

(This saves power, wear and tear, and promotes the life of your CPU) Although I have not be able to personally disable it 100% I learned to live with it. 

Yeah, that would be alright if the multiplier would go back up to 9x when I started running programs, but it doesn't. I have SpeedStep and everything else disabled under CPU Configuration except Virtualization Technology and it still clocks down to 2.0GHz. The only solution that I have at this point is to reboot a couple times until it registers at 3.0GHz. Even when I go through POST it says 2.99GHz (333x9). If anyone finds a better solution, please do tell.

I had that happen when I went to 3.8 and started prime. I don't know but I think it is the proc throttling back from heat or voltage. I couldn't get stable, no how, no way. Prime was running but CPU-z would read 6 x 420 @2.6.

As said make sure these are off in bios:

Limit CPUID MaxVal

Intel SpeedStep

C1E Enhanced Halt State

CPU Thermal control (if you know you have good cooling and know the t-junction level for you chip (the temp it cooks itself, can be found on intel site).

Only other thing I can think of is if you are using vista, go into where it does power management and performance profiles.  Make sure everything is running performace wise maxed out.  Vista has been rumored to have some capablity at throttleing the cpu.

Vista can change your multiplier to.

 Computer/System properties/Performance/Adjust power settings/ Choose high performance/ then click change plan settings/then click change advanced power settings./ processor power management/set minimum/maximum 100%

">

 

 

It's helped a few, including me. but not all. 

GmsCool:

Vista can change your multiplier to.

 Computer/System properties/Performance/Adjust power settings/ Choose high performance/ then click change plan settings/then click change advanced power settings./ processor power management/set minimum/maximum 100%

">

 

 

It's helped a few, including me. but not all. 

 

So, I went to this menu and the Minimum Processor State was set to 5% and I was so happy because I thought that that was the solution! I changed it and then I rebooted AND nothing

When it came back up, I was at 6x multiplier. I thought that it would have fixed it. I appreciate the help, and it seemed that it was the solution.

If there's any other options, please let me know. Like I said before, the only solution I have it to reboot until it's a 9x multiplier.

Most seem to turn off everything but the C1e which if missed will step down your processor. Do not be fooled by it not steping back up when you run a few normal programs, sometimes this is not enough of a load.

I keep them all off, I have not seen much of a heat difference. Keeping them on is a good idea if you plan on keeping that CPU running well into the next decade but then, never driving your car keeps the wear on the engine down also. I buy a car to drive and a CPU to, well, process, and do it using all its capability. For some reason seeing that CPU-z number bounce around annoys me.

Having said that, I have been able to OC this rig to almost 3.4 Ghz  on air but I do not run 24 7 that way. The 3D mark I get is at 2.93.

Ok

Thanks to everyone. Once again, everyone's help was appreciated.

terencek:

Ok

Thanks to everyone. Once again, everyone's help was appreciated.

Time to call support desk, woot! 

nvida released bios version p 31 to help resolve this issue ( evga sli mobos),you were not alone