High CPU activity detected on the I7 9700f processor.
High CPU activity detected on the I7 9700f processor.
For optimal performance, here’s how I configure my power limits. These settings aren’t mandatory, but setting them high helps the CPU run at full capacity. The standard turbo time limit is 28 seconds. The manufacturer underestimated this. Your CPU can only operate at the higher power level for one second before it throttles to 65W. If you turned off C states in the BIOS, a non-K CPU won’t reach its maximum speed even with light loads. Check the ThrottleStop C States window to confirm they’re active when your computer is idle.
Your earlier log didn’t reveal any significant performance drops. The 65W cap was slowing things down a bit, but it wasn’t noticeable in-game. It could be another factor at play. Enable the Log File option during gameplay. The core C states are active, letting your CPU take full turbo boost. That setting is fine.
Alright, the adjustments made have brought about noticeable improvements. CPU temperatures have spiked significantly, reaching around 90°C. My frame rates have improved substantially, and I haven’t seen CPU usage exceed 70% anymore—everything runs much more smoothly. Thanks a lot for your assistance. Right now I’m online searching for a cooler since my current one isn’t working well with the air cooling setup. I might check a local Best Buy, or if not, I’ll order one online and use my PS5 until it arrives. Once again, @unclewebb, your help was invaluable—I was almost ready to buy a new motherboard CPU and cooler online, planning to list it on eBay.
This indicates improved efficiency. By default, all Intel CPUs are configured with a higher voltage, leading to overheating. It’s unclear if ThrottleStop can modify these settings; check your BIOS configuration. Share a screenshot of the ThrottleStop FIVR window for reference. If the settings remain locked, adjust the core and cache to an offset of -50 mV or -100 mV. Many processors maintain stability at -75 mV or -100 mV, which can lower temperatures during heavy use. Consider reducing the voltage if possible—saving money on a cooler might be worthwhile. If the display shows "Locked" at the top, the BIOS has restricted CPU voltage control. The correct value should be around -50 mV (-49.8 mV). Ensure both core and cache are aligned with this setting. After saving, the offset voltage will appear in the monitoring area on the FIVR interface.
Replicate my voltage configurations and observe any changes. Enable Unlock Adjustable Voltage and shift the slider to the left side. A negative offset voltage should lower the CPU voltage. I prefer straightforward, uniform settings such as Cinebench R20 during these adjustments. If successful, you should notice decreased CPU power usage and cooler temperatures during testing. Progress is promising so far. At least the system isn’t locked.
Many systems are now unprotected by default. Start with a Cinebench test at zero offset to establish a baseline, then evaluate performance at -50 mV, -75 mV and -100 mV for both core and cache offsets. I believe your 9700F should handle -100 mV without trouble, but it’s wise to run Cinebench checks. Check the ThrottleStop Limit Reasons window for any red indicators. A log file from your gaming session would be helpful, as fixing one throttling issue can sometimes trigger another.
I ran the bench at -100mV the peak was 96°C, stayed steady at 4.5GHz, achieved the best score but crashed after finishing. I plan to lower the voltage slightly to test further. Edit: At -90mV it completed the entire test at 4.5GHz, max was 96°C and earned a score of 3605. I’ll load up Cold War to check temperature behavior now.