F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop i5 2500 strong performance around 4GHz frequency

i5 2500 strong performance around 4GHz frequency

i5 2500 strong performance around 4GHz frequency

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REX115
Junior Member
10
12-31-2025, 03:22 AM
#1
I'm testing a MAME and similar emulator setup in a compact cabinet for my dad. I found out the processor speed is off by nearly 300 MHz. It's an H61 board running an i5 2500 non-K (SR00T) with no BCLK tweaks. Despite this, it still claims to run around 4 GHz, which seems unusual since it's a locked chip meant for a base speed of 3.3 GHz with a max turbo of 3.7 GHz. I haven't seen an Intel chip exceed its rated boost without special overclocking, which isn't expected here. Anyone have experienced this before?
R
REX115
12-31-2025, 03:22 AM #1

I'm testing a MAME and similar emulator setup in a compact cabinet for my dad. I found out the processor speed is off by nearly 300 MHz. It's an H61 board running an i5 2500 non-K (SR00T) with no BCLK tweaks. Despite this, it still claims to run around 4 GHz, which seems unusual since it's a locked chip meant for a base speed of 3.3 GHz with a max turbo of 3.7 GHz. I haven't seen an Intel chip exceed its rated boost without special overclocking, which isn't expected here. Anyone have experienced this before?

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ditox95
Member
234
01-01-2026, 03:02 AM
#2
Interesting. If it functions properly, perhaps it's best to leave it alone?
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ditox95
01-01-2026, 03:02 AM #2

Interesting. If it functions properly, perhaps it's best to leave it alone?

M
mondoelite
Member
154
01-02-2026, 08:09 AM
#3
Interesting. If it functions properly, perhaps it's best to leave it alone?
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mondoelite
01-02-2026, 08:09 AM #3

Interesting. If it functions properly, perhaps it's best to leave it alone?

O
orangehf
Member
76
01-14-2026, 07:28 AM
#4
Get a tool similar to CPUz to retrieve detailed CPU data such as stepping rates, bus clock speeds, and multiplier information.
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orangehf
01-14-2026, 07:28 AM #4

Get a tool similar to CPUz to retrieve detailed CPU data such as stepping rates, bus clock speeds, and multiplier information.

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SpikeHead
Junior Member
15
01-20-2026, 03:23 PM
#5
Windows let me know that when my 8700k ran at 6ghz I wouldn’t worry about it too much
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SpikeHead
01-20-2026, 03:23 PM #5

Windows let me know that when my 8700k ran at 6ghz I wouldn’t worry about it too much

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BlueHoles
Junior Member
8
01-20-2026, 04:41 PM
#6
I didn't initially consider making that call, but CPUz indicated the clock was around 3.6. I observed it fluctuating and Windows itself seemed to confirm it. I'm planning to try to clarify this as accurately as possible, describing it in terms of a delta from the boost clock versus the base value—like if CPUz showed 3.6 while Windows reported 4.0, or vice versa. It's still intriguing and raises questions about how Windows actually obtains its timing information, though it's not quite as impressive as a fully secured chip operating beyond its limits.
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BlueHoles
01-20-2026, 04:41 PM #6

I didn't initially consider making that call, but CPUz indicated the clock was around 3.6. I observed it fluctuating and Windows itself seemed to confirm it. I'm planning to try to clarify this as accurately as possible, describing it in terms of a delta from the boost clock versus the base value—like if CPUz showed 3.6 while Windows reported 4.0, or vice versa. It's still intriguing and raises questions about how Windows actually obtains its timing information, though it's not quite as impressive as a fully secured chip operating beyond its limits.

B
Brudora
Senior Member
726
01-20-2026, 06:25 PM
#7
the windows task manager gives inaccurate readings. currently my cpu is operating at 5ghz per core, but windows estimates it's around 4.2 to 4.7ghz.
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Brudora
01-20-2026, 06:25 PM #7

the windows task manager gives inaccurate readings. currently my cpu is operating at 5ghz per core, but windows estimates it's around 4.2 to 4.7ghz.