Changing CPU speed is causing me a lot of trouble!
Changing CPU speed is causing me a lot of trouble!
The fluctuating frequency depends on how much the processor is working due to programs. Running a CPU-heavy application can cause changes in frequency, especially if the CPU overheats. Using CPU-Z with a demanding app that fully utilizes all cores can help identify stability and frequency patterns. Keeping power-saving settings like speedstep active helps the CPU cool down after use and extends its lifespan, though overclocking may reduce it slightly.
In response to GEOFELT,... greetings and thanks, dear friend. The issue I face is that I set the CPU to 4.4, but in Win 7 the utilities display 4.1. It seems like the motherboard is altering things. When I attempt to copy settings from sites like YouTube, I create a list of what they have, but some entries are missing, leading me to believe my BIOS version differs from theirs. This isn’t helping at all. The BIOS will adjust settings that aren’t functioning properly in order to allow startup. In this situation, it appears the change is from 44, and the startup delay is trying to find a suitable setting. A multiplier of 4 might be too aggressive. I recommend reverting everything to the default or auto settings. Gradually increase the multiplier by 2 steps at a time, monitoring performance. Keep voltages on auto and avoid changing them. Set RAM to its auto speed; boosting RAM speed could improve performance by 1-2 frames or 2% in real-world use. Test stability using Prime95 and let it run long enough for temperatures to stabilize. Use RealTemp to verify. Confirm with CPU-Z that you’re running at the multiplier you set. Not every chip will reach the same OC levels—4.0 or 4.2 could be ideal for most gaming needs. This should be sufficient for most users.
The lack of complaints about increasing and decreasing clock speeds stems from it not being an issue. It saves energy when not in use, reduces heat generation so parts last longer, and you won’t feel any change at all. There’s no need to turn off power-saving features on your CPU.
This brief pause followed by a restart during the first boot is something the Sandy Bridge boards often do.
I think there are two main concerns. First, the system drops to 1.6ghz when idle, while it’s set to 4.4 in BIOS but only 4.1 in Windows. That first point isn’t a big deal. Amd uses quiet overclocking, Intel uses speedstep, and they both reduce CPU speed when idle—your Phenom X4 should do the same under those conditions. For the second issue, you need to run something like Prime95 so the CPU is under full load. If it’s changing between 4.1 and 4.4 while running, adjust the duration settings I mentioned earlier. If it only stays at 4.1, it might be a conflict between ASUS Windows software and OC settings—try uninstalling it. As Geofelt suggested, you probably don’t need to tweak any settings except the multiplier during overclocking. Youtube isn’t a reliable source for this kind of technical advice; amateurs often share incorrect information. The Windows system seems to give inconsistent speed readings for both AMD and Intel. This doesn’t appear to be an AMD/Intel problem.
The frequent reboots seem to be an ASUS issue, though I thought they’d resolved it. Just a note on power settings: in the control panel, go to Power Options, then Advanced power settings, change the plan settings, adjust processor power management, and set minimum processor state to 100%. This will boost performance but also increase power usage and heat—keeping it at full speed all the time isn’t advisable.
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You appreciated all the advice and time greatly. I’m now starting to notice how this new UEFI bios is functioning. I attempted to set the BCLK to 100, but the motherboard refused that ratio and adjusted to 102/103. A problem I have with this setup is that I can’t experiment freely with many parameters—especially vcore—because doing so causes the PC to shut down, pause, restart for a few seconds, and then stop again. It seems I need to keep restarting until something stable appears before launching Windows.
Is this some kind of advanced ASUS safeguard meant to protect newcomers like me? Haha.
What I did was use the Asus overclock utility, which now lets me run smoothly at 4385mhz with a vcore of 1.232v. I’ve read that many experts avoid these tools since they often push vcore too high. I get why they do that, but 1.232v seems reasonable for a 4.3 overclock.
Current temperatures on 'Real temp 3.70' are: 24c, 24c, 29c, 27c idle; 65c, 69c, 68c, 66c under full load using Prime95 for the past 55 minutes.
I tried 4.5 and even 4.4, but kept experiencing BSODs and a restart/shutdown cycle that left me confused. If it stays stable at the current 4.3 setting, I’m fine.
There are numerous small BIOS functions that could slightly improve performance. Any recommendations for useful features would be appreciated? Many of these new options are beyond my understanding, and I’m trying hard to grasp what I can with the complexity of my recent ASUS motherboard purchase.
A few more questions:
(1) On the first screen of the UEFI bios, three performance settings appear as graphical icons. If I switch to the maximum option (third choice on the far right) and return later, does this setting get disabled or unselected? Is that normal?
(2) Under full load, the overclock reaches its target speed, but does it perform similarly when playing a game or under lighter stress? Will it only partially overclock for applications that don’t reach full load?
Thank you all.
Didn't mention the Noctua NH-D14, but this heatsink/fan is incredible. It's a real powerhouse. Inside my Coolermaster Storm Enforcer Mid Tower it's impressive. The fans work perfectly, just like my dad would say.
If it continues to restart and adjust settings, it’s likely due to a configuration that is causing instability or preventing a proper boot. This means it will repeatedly reset until it discovers a setting that enables a stable start. Just because multiple configurations seem functional doesn’t guarantee compatibility with your specific CPU. Each processor behaves differently, and overclocking success varies significantly.
We’ll also clarify that the downclocking and power-saving options on your CPU won’t impact your PC’s overall performance. It will operate at its full available speed, utilizing all required cores—whether real or virtual—without any noticeable effect.
In the BIOS, you only need to configure the XM profile for your memory. Then, manually adjust the highest turbo setting when needed; I set mine to 44, which allows a maximum turbo boost of 4.4ghz. If this is what you’re doing, your CPU might not be suited for that level of boost. This is where you should focus on fine-tuning other parameters. If you’re altering voltages, bus speeds, memory speeds, or similar settings, you risk compromising stability. Always reduce the settings slightly and test—benchmarks don’t always reflect real-world results.
Additionally, it’s true that the Ivy Bridge architecture doesn’t overclock as effectively as the Sandy Bridge version, though they do run slightly faster per clock in most cases (around 4-6%).
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Thanks for all the valuable guidance and time you've invested. I'm now starting to understand how this updated UEFI BIOS functions. I attempted to adjust the BCLK to 100, but the motherboard seemed to reject that setting, opting instead for 102/103. A concern I have is that with this combination of board and BIOS, it's difficult to experiment freely—especially with settings like VCore, because any changes cause the PC to shut down, pause, and restart several times before eventually booting again. It feels like a trial-and-error process until something stable appears, after which I can access Windows.
Is this some advanced protection mechanism designed for beginners like me? Haha! Well, what I did was use the Asus overclock tool, and now I'm running smoothly at 4385mhz with a VCore of 1.232v. Many OC experts warn against using these utilities since they often push VCore too high, which can be risky. I get that, but 1.232v seems reasonable for a 4.3 overclock.
Currently, the temperatures on 'Real temp 3.70' are 24c, 24c, 29c, 27c idle, and 65c, 69c, 68c, 66c during full load using Prime95 over the past 55 minutes. I tried 4.5 and even 4.4, but kept experiencing BSODs and frequent restarts, which made me question whether it's stable. If it holds steady with the current setting, I'm comfortable.
There are numerous small BIOS functions that could slightly improve performance. Are there any features you recommend? Many of these new options are beyond my understanding, and I'm trying hard to grasp what I can do, especially since overclocking has become much more complex in recent years.
A few more questions:
(1) On the first screen of the UEFI BIOS, three performance settings appear as graphical icons. If I switch to the third option (far right), it seems disabled when I return later. Is this normal?
(2) Under full load, the overclock reaches its limit, but does it perform similarly during gameplay or lighter tasks? Will it only partially overclock for less demanding applications?
Thank you all. Please avoid using the automated BIOS overclocking feature—it's too aggressive. The default BCLK for Ivy Bridge is 100, and exceeding this can cause instability. A performance boost of 2-3% isn't worth the risk.
Your cooler and temperatures are excellent. The 3570K will handle overclocking well until the voltage needs to be increased further. Beyond that, heat management becomes a problem.
Regarding your questions:
1) Before newer BIOS versions, an unstable overclock would freeze the CPU and require a CMOS reset. Now, with recovery options, this is normal and expected.
2) The jump from lower to higher multipliers doesn't affect performance under load—it's smooth across all conditions.
In summary, don't push beyond a solid, stable overclock. Intel only guarantees 3.4 with the standard cooler. With a good chip and better cooling, you can achieve even more. Anything above 3.4 is worth it.
I encounter a similar issue, just a bit more unusual!
My i5 4670k in my Hero vii motherboard is dropping to 274mhz, which is fine for power saving, but it's reached 9412mhz on all four cores... (HWMonitor) shows the picture, but I'm unsure how to connect it and Imgur is really confused about what I'm writing... But this can't be right! Even though it causes the temperature to rise when it happens! After updating the BIOS version, everything seems normal. ... >.<