I5 12600K performance issues reported.
I5 12600K performance issues reported.
Hello everyone. I'm struggling to understand why my new 12600k slows down during stress tests. CPU: intel i5 12600k Mobo: Gigabyte Z690 Aours Elite DDR4 RAM: Corsair Vengeance 32gb (2x16) 3600 PSU: Corsair RM850. When I run stress tests with programs like prime95 or CPUID, the frequency drops from its boosted value to around 4GHz, then stays stuck. Initially I thought it was thermal throttling, but even with cores and temperatures kept below 60°C in some settings, the drop continues. I also checked power usage—above 4.9GHz it spikes to about 200W, but it still throttles like when overclocking lower. I read about TVB in various OC guides and disabled it, expecting it to protect at high temps. It didn’t help. I've tried every BIOS setting I can think of, but nothing changes much. Occasionally I manage to run it at around 4.4GHz on some cores, but that’s about it. Anyone else have faced this issue? I’m really frustrated and would appreciate any suggestions.
When dealing with throttling issues, begin by using HWiNFO and choosing the Sensors Only setting. This helps identify various causes for CPU throttling. You must determine the exact problem before finding a solution. Your temperatures appear normal, so the next probable cause is turbo power limit restrictions. What are the two PL1 and PL2 turbo power thresholds configured in the BIOS? These can also be referred to as long-term and short-term power caps. I increased both my power limits to 300W to prevent throttling. The standard base power for a 12600K is 125W. https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/...0-ghz.html At the default configuration, the long-term PL1 turbo power is typically set to 125W. This setting may restrict peak performance. To achieve higher speeds, raise your power limits. More power generates additional heat; as long as your cooling system supports it, the CPU will operate more efficiently.
@unclewebb : Thanks!!! This exactly matched what I was looking for but I had no idea it was available. The hwinfo limit sensors guided me back on track. In the image below you'll see all the constraints applied. While trying to bypass the ring max VR voltage restriction, I found someone else dealing with a similar issue. It turned out AVX was the issue. Even though I've turned it on (which is the default), it still enforces certain power restrictions. Although temperature and voltage/wattage/current don't seem to hit any limits, the CPU throttles during stress tests. When I turned it off, I achieved a 4.9GHz clock with a peak of around 89°C on one core (others stayed in the low 80s and high 70s) without any further issues. That said, I did observe that power usage is quite high—close to 200W. Maybe I should experiment further with voltages to find the optimal balance, but that would be a bigger challenge. For now, your help was extremely valuable and a great relief after days of frustration.
Turbo power enabled will make Intel 12th Gen CPUs operate quickly and generate more heat. Reaching around 90°C in a core isn't problematic. Thermal throttling begins at 100°C to prevent damage, so you're safe. To reduce voltage, apply a negative offset between -50 mV and -75 mV. This typically ensures full stability and helps manage high temperatures.