Processor operates continuously at 4.65ghz or higher speed
Processor operates continuously at 4.65ghz or higher speed
I observed in Task Manager that my CPU never drops below 4.65Ghz, it rises when I use the PC but stays at 4.66Ghz when idle. I checked the Windows power plan settings, but none seem to affect it, so I’m unsure if they work properly on my system. My CPU is an i7 10700K and it isn’t overclocked. Is this typical for that model?
Verify CPU usage with cpuz or hwmonitor to see real performance. The task manager might show misleading speeds because the CPU isn’t actually active. This matters because it affects your confidence in system health. Buying a CPU without overclocking or undervolting seems reckless—underperforming hardware can waste money and cause frustration.
When using the Windows Balanced power plan, your CPU slows when idle. The image you shared indicates the processor isn’t under light load. Something is running in the background. Utilization shouldn’t reach 11% during inactivity. Intel CPUs won’t throttle if they have tasks. Check the Details section to see what processes are active on your machine. Here’s how my setup appears with the Windows High Performance plan. With Balanced, the CPU reduces speed since it has nothing to process. Enabling C states doesn’t significantly affect performance. Your CPU will remain efficient regardless of speed settings.
Reasonable though, if the price was over $30 plus the non-K version, it’s still a waste because the resale value might only rise by about $20 with a K CPU (assuming you don’t overclock). Still, think about undervolting if you’re not overclocking—this can make your CPU run cooler and more efficiently.