CPU at wrong frequency?

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

I noticed my PC was going quite slowly recently (It's only 7 months old, didn't expect drop offs in speed like this), so I decided to check my CPU in CPU-Z to see if that brought up any issues. Now my CPU is an i5-3470, it's a locked processor (meaning I haven't OC'ed it in any way) and normally runs at either 1.6GHz (when not much is happening), 3.2GHz (Normal) or 3.6GHz (turbo). So anyway I opened up CPU-Z, not much running on the PC, just CPU-Z, one instance of Google Chrome, Razer Synapse and my anti-virus, yet the CPU is constantly running at 3.4GHz (See pic). I know it sounds stupid that a CPU running faster than normal would cause the PC to run slower, but the fact it's running this fast when not much is going on is worrying me a little. Can anyone let me know if this is normal or if I should be worried?

I also think an issue could be my HDD, again it's only 7 months old but it's making a lot of noise when reading/writing data and sometimes the computer freezes completely when these noises are being heard. Sometimes I also have an issue where no folders or shortcuts work, yet the internet (as long as it was open before the issue first appears) works like a charm. It sounds to me like the computer is loading Chrome into the RAM before any issues occur, which is why it can run when the HDD is having issues.

Any input to this would be helpful guys

Chris

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

Everything you have said bleeds failing hard drive. is this a custom build? if so, RMA that HDD! 7 month old consumer grade HDD's do not make much noise or any noise at all. maybe some vibration, but that's it! You got it right. Grab a copy of SeaTools from Seagate http://www.seagate.com/files/www-content/support-content/downloads/seatools/_shared/downloads/SeaToolsforWindowsSetup.exe and let that tell you for sure.

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

Oh.. I see your using a 32GB SSD? where is your OS? Are you actually using the expresscache software? Totally feasible either the HDD or SSD may be going.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

Hi Tcinator,

Basically I've already RMA'd the SSD as the PC wouldn't boot when it was installed (It is an SSD but its basically a 32GB Cache Drive), but now I'm starting to think it's a HDD problem. Luckily I bought the HDD from a local shop so I can just take it down there and tell them what's going on. Definitely doing a backup of everything vital tonight just in case

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

Ok so that's weird, when I try to install SeaTools, the PC restarts and then I can't find SeaTools anywhere, even using windows search (Windows Key + S). In the list of programs stored on my PC (from Control Panel) the program has the generic logo windows uses when there isn't a given logo :/

EDIT: Nevermind got it working, drive passed SMART test with no problems. Which other tests should I do?

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

I would definitely recommend that. WD also makes a diagnostic tool, but.. I mean, its the HDD. Not a doubt. As far as the clock speeds, CPU-Z shows the reported clock speed of the processor itself. Not the currently running frequency. TMonitor will show you current speeds ftp://ftp.cpuid.com/tmonitor/tmonitor_1.04.zip. Hope this resolves all your questions.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

CPU-Z's clock speed numbers constantly update, not sure if that makes any difference lol. Do you recommend any other tests other than the SMART test?

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

CGurrell :

There is a CPU maximum frequency which is what the CPU is running at, and a current frequency which is "CPU usage", these 2 numbers are different. if you bring up resource monitor you will see a blue and green graph. the blue is max frequency, which is what you see in CPU-Z and the green is current utilization, which is what you can monitor with TMonitor from CPUID. the SMART test can pass easily depending on how the drive is failing. Which is why I would recommend Seatools or the WD diagnostics. They are much more thorough.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

I did the SMART test via the SeaTools software, I'm not sure which test to run in SeaTools as there are so many, if you could let me know which to run that would be great

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

CGurrell :

The Short Drive Self Test is a good tool. Takes less than 2 minutes. But it may pass as well. If you have some time, the "Fix All" takes a while but is thorough.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

it's been a few minutes and the test has been stuck like this for a while :/ http://gyazo.com/86a6b0d725ee4b39d3d61a03738b5356

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

Well... I will assume your hard drive crapped out and made SeaTools (the program itself) hang and stop functioning properly... I mean we know its bad..

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

Tcinator :

I know, starting to wonder whether it's the HDD or whether it could even be a motherboard/CPU issue. This is probably my "Worst Case Scenario" attitude kicking in, is there any way to make sure it's not them?

Thanks

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

Not without expensive 3rd party diags. and even then MOBO diags are pretty shotty if its an odd hiccup.

CGurrell :

The fact that it started recently, the links and shortcuts not working, the freezing, and the noise? everything is pretty much 1+1=2 on this one man. Short of it being some bad sectors, no.. not even that. I mean if you want to reinstall and test it out. be my guest... you could always run memtest but honestly you have the proof you need.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

Tcinator :

Not without expensive 3rd party diags. and even then MOBO diags are pretty shotty if its an odd hiccup.

CGurrell :

The fact that it started recently, the links and shortcuts not working, the freezing, and the noise? everything is pretty much 1+1=2 on this one man. Short of it being some bad sectors, no.. not even that. I mean if you want to reinstall and test it out. be my guest... you could always run memtest but honestly you have the proof you need.

Ok so somehow the Hard Drive passed the Short DST test?? http://gyazo.com/d1ef9ae2696f5e296271972a7273533d

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

like I said it may pass. if your feeling lucky, give it another week or so. the Short DST is a drive self test... and if your in the OS, has a tendency to pass. Run a chkdsk /f /r and the long "fix all". Hard drives are like engines in a beat up car. really hard to say "oh its not starting, well the issue is ____" its never cut and dry till it completely bites the dust 90% of the time.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

Tcinator :

Fair enough, might run a chkdsk overnight to see if I can pinpoint any issues, but tbh I'll probably just go to the shop on Friday for a replacement. Better sort out a Windows 8.1 boot drive for when I get a new HDD lol

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

Nice. post back here if you remember. Let me know how the new drive goes. Glad we (kinda) figured it out. lol.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

nearly had another hard drive related disaster then as well. The portable drive which I was backing up to dropped from my table to the floor after I knocked the table with my chair (New table and chair, takes some getting used to lol). Drive hits the floor, wont connect via USB 3.0. Just connected it internally via SATA and it seems to be alright. It's a 3 year old drive in itself from a laptop that died of a CPU failure so it's gone through a lot in its lifetime, just hoping it holds out now until friday

The other thing is, my drives are set to IDE for some reason in the BIOS, if I'm changing out the drives anyway (New SSD coming as well as HDD), would it be worth me changing them to AHCI mode?

Tcinator · Jul 2, 2014

CGurrell :

nearly had another hard drive related disaster then as well. The portable drive which I was backing up to dropped from my table to the floor after I knocked the table with my chair (New table and chair, takes some getting used to lol). Drive hits the floor, wont connect via USB 3.0. Just connected it internally via SATA and it seems to be alright. It's a 3 year old drive in itself from a laptop that died of a CPU failure so it's gone through a lot in its lifetime, just hoping it holds out now until friday

The other thing is, my drives are set to IDE for some reason in the BIOS, if I'm changing out the drives anyway (New SSD coming as well as HDD), would it be worth me changing them to AHCI mode?

yes.

EDIT: literally that's the answer.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

Tcinator :

CGurrell :

yes.

EDIT: literally that's the answer.

wait what dya mean? If i switch to AHCI i should get no bugs? Won't that wipe my drives anyway though?

bretmh · Jul 2, 2014

Doesn't the i5 you have , have the super boost technology or w.e? Maybe you have it enabled and don't know it.

CGurrell · Jul 2, 2014

Tcinator :

bretmh :

Sorted the CPU issue now

Seem to have a hard drive issue though

CPU at wrong frequency?

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