F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Overclocking BIOS indicates 4 GHz, while CPU-z reports 3.6 GHz during the stress test.

BIOS indicates 4 GHz, while CPU-z reports 3.6 GHz during the stress test.

BIOS indicates 4 GHz, while CPU-z reports 3.6 GHz during the stress test.

M
193
11-02-2025, 04:25 AM
#1
Not sure when this started happening but I have been running an i7 6800k at 4.0 GHz for a while and today I noticed that it's only running at 3.6 GHz according to CPU-z, AIDA, HWMonitor and Windows itself. The behavior is the same when running the AIDA stress test. Even if I set the power plan to always run at max speed it never goes above 3.6 GHz - it just stays at 3.6 GHz, never rises or falls.
But here's the kicker: the BIOS it says it's running at 4.0 GHz.
Any ideas on what could be going on?
Am I running at 4 GHz or not?
Thanks,
rames
M
McGamerPro2000
11-02-2025, 04:25 AM #1

Not sure when this started happening but I have been running an i7 6800k at 4.0 GHz for a while and today I noticed that it's only running at 3.6 GHz according to CPU-z, AIDA, HWMonitor and Windows itself. The behavior is the same when running the AIDA stress test. Even if I set the power plan to always run at max speed it never goes above 3.6 GHz - it just stays at 3.6 GHz, never rises or falls.
But here's the kicker: the BIOS it says it's running at 4.0 GHz.
Any ideas on what could be going on?
Am I running at 4 GHz or not?
Thanks,
rames

I
IceJay24
Member
185
11-02-2025, 06:01 AM
#2
Update - the BIOS adjustments aren't making a difference since I altered the multiplier to various numbers, and all system tools (CPU-z, AIDA, etc.) still show 3.6 GHz. Additionally, during the stress test, temperatures are significantly lower than expected if the processor were actually running at 4+ GHz. It's clear it isn't operating at 4.0 GHz in Windows. Anyone have an explanation?
Thanks, rgames
I
IceJay24
11-02-2025, 06:01 AM #2

Update - the BIOS adjustments aren't making a difference since I altered the multiplier to various numbers, and all system tools (CPU-z, AIDA, etc.) still show 3.6 GHz. Additionally, during the stress test, temperatures are significantly lower than expected if the processor were actually running at 4+ GHz. It's clear it isn't operating at 4.0 GHz in Windows. Anyone have an explanation?
Thanks, rgames

X
xav435
Junior Member
7
11-03-2025, 04:21 AM
#3
I have the identical problem, but my system is running at 1.36 GHz instead of the expected 3.5 GHz.
I've checked the stress test and BIOS configurations, but nothing appears to be resolving it.
X
xav435
11-03-2025, 04:21 AM #3

I have the identical problem, but my system is running at 1.36 GHz instead of the expected 3.5 GHz.
I've checked the stress test and BIOS configurations, but nothing appears to be resolving it.