AMD CPU not running at target speed

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SillyPandah

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Nov 26, 2013
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First of all I'm new, the only reason I signed up was because I couldn't find a solution to my problem here, on reddit, google, anything. So if I do something wrong please be polite about it.

Anyway I have a Gateway NV55s12h laptop with a AMD A6-3420M quad-core processor. I've been overclocking my CPU with AMD OverDrive for a while now and just recently it's started slowing down the CPU to 800MHz rather than 2200Mhz which is what I set it to. The default is 1500MHz. It seems to only do this when playing high end games but especially AC3. It has never done this before. When I'm not playing games it seems to run oddly, rather than a stable 1500Mhz it goes from 700- 2400 randomly and each core is different.

Does anyone know a solution? I've checked the BIOS but there is no setting I could find that I believe would change anything. I've also tried enabling/disabling high performance mode, instlling/uninstalling AMD OverDrive to see if it's that but it's not, and I've used Wise Registry Cleaner but that hadn't worked either.

Please be specific with your answers, I'm not that much of a computer guy, still learning.
Here's a screen of AMD OverDrive and the way my cores are acting when at default speed http://imgur.com/f3lNudg
 
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cmi86
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avjguy2362

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Jun 21, 2012
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It sounds like everything is OK. IF "Cool N Quiet" is ON, then it is normal for the CPU to run anywhere between the standard 800Mhz minimum and up to 3 more speeds, before hitting the maximum speed, set by the multiplier. If this bothers you, go to the BIOS and turn Cool N Quiet Off. You can always turn it back on again. Remember your system is going to run hotter with Cool N Quiet off, so don't be alarmed, but it is usually OK, so long as maximum temps are still reasonable.
 
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SillyPandah

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Nov 26, 2013
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I can't find Cool n' Quiet in the BIOS. Is there a reason this is just starting now and not before?
 
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SillyPandah

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Nov 26, 2013
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I can't find Cool n' Quiet, is there another way of disabling it?
 
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elemein

elemein

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Mar 4, 2013
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Perhaps look for a different, compatible BIOS to flash to your motherboard?
 
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SillyPandah

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I have no idea what that means, could you explain a little more?
 
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avjguy2362

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Good point! Laptops need more control over cooling. I wouldn't be surprised if the BIOS intentionally throttles down the CPU if any core parts are running too hot. Have you tried, just as a test, to run the laptop in a very cold environment and in such a way that all of the vents have maximum flow, both in and out vents, not being blocked!
 
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SillyPandah

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Nov 26, 2013
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Any recommendations of one? Is it just a download and install process?
 
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elemein

elemein

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Usually the BIOS will be paired with a flashing software.

Before doing that, check your manufacturer's page for new BIOS's. I remember both HP and Samsung giving me BIOS updates a few months after I purchased their machines.
 
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cmi86

cmi86

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And that would be a good way to do it too. Simple fact, you bought a low end laptop so live with it. I am not not trying to be rude but laptops are specifically engineered to run at the clocks they are made for battery life and cooling aspects. Plus the power supplies in most laptops are not intended to overclock at all. Its like a ferrari , it's 10 lbs of shit in a 5 lb bag. every thing is specifically designed to co exist in that environment from the factory just the way it is. Sorry but I don't believe there is much you can do without running the risk of seriously messing up your machine.
 
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SillyPandah

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All I'm trying to do is fix the problem so I can keep it at 1500MHz because I'd rather not deal with 800Mhz.

 
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cmi86

cmi86

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And what I am telling you is that there are no options to do so without taking a great risk., Your chip was engineered to act exactly the way it does for the sake of battery life and thermal compliance by people that make a lot more money than you and I because they know a whole lot more. It is a laptop not a custom high end desktop. You get what you get and it is what it is, there really isn't a lot you can do about it.
 
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elemein

elemein

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So it must be absolute heresy that I can overclock (and safely, and happily, and stably) my cheap A8-3520M.

 
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cmi86

cmi86

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I wouldn't know I don't have one. Doesn't change the fact that manufacturers do not add these options for a reason and no matter how safe someone says it may be it is still a risk in a laptop. And I didn't mean to insinuate that APU's are "cheap" I stated he has a low end model.
 
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