Processor Frequency locked at 800MHz and thermal throttling at 100%, despite low cpu temps

tydiscloud · Aug 20, 2014

I recently upgraded to an i7 4790K and MSI Gaming 7 motherboard. The issue I'm having is while my CPU temperatures are hovering around 30 degrees Celsius, my Processor frequency is locked at 800 MHz, and Thermal Throttling is at 100% all the time. When I run a stress test on the processor the temperature only raises around 5 degrees Celsius, but the frequency never goes above 800MHz.

volcanoscout · Aug 20, 2014

Have you updated the mobo BIOS since you installed it? The latest version 1.5 dated 29JUL14.
http://us.msi.com/support/mb/Z97_GAMING_7.html#down-bios

I've seen a lot of wonky board reactions due to out-of-date bios. If you've already done that, or it doesn't fix the problem, let us know.

Edit: Should have said "wonky DC CPU reactions" to out-of-date mobo BIOS.

tydiscloud · Aug 21, 2014

volcanoscout :

I updated the bios and nothing has changed.

volcanoscout · Aug 21, 2014

Hmmm. I've found at least one forum thread with a similar issue that resulted in a mobo RMA.

Try going into your BIOS then hit exit - it should give your the option to "Load & Save optimized settings" or something to that effect.

You can also go into your Windows advanced power management and set the minimum to 100%. This should disable your sleep states and SpeedStep.

If either or neither works, let me know. I'll keep researching it in the meantime.

tydiscloud · Aug 21, 2014

volcanoscout :

I disabled the Intel Speed Step function which didn't help. I've also tried loading the optimal settings from my bios a few times now. One thing I did notice in CPU-Z is that the Core Mulitplier is at x 8.0 (8-44), which it should obviously be set at 40.

bmacsys · Aug 21, 2014

tydiscloud :

volcanoscout :

I disabled the Intel Speed Step function which didn't help. I've also tried loading the optimal settings from my bios a few times now. One thing I did notice in CPU-Z is that the Core Mulitplier is at x 8.0 (8-44), which it should obviously be set at 40.

It is going to idle at 8. When you put a load on it the multiplier will spike.
up to 40.

volcanoscout · Aug 21, 2014

tydiscloud :

volcanoscout :

I disabled the Intel Speed Step function which didn't help. I've also tried loading the optimal settings from my bios a few times now. One thing I did notice in CPU-Z is that the Core Mulitplier is at x 8.0 (8-44), which it should obviously be set at 40.

I forgot to ask before - have you tried clearing the CMOS yet?

volcanoscout · Aug 21, 2014

Also, have you tried manually setting your clock multiplier?

tydiscloud · Aug 22, 2014

Yes, I had done all the things you guys suggested and it just would not go over 800MHz. I returned both the processor and the MoBo today for new ones and everything is working properly, so it would appear that if you get this issue the only resolution is to return the parts and get new ones. Thanks for all the help guys.

volcanoscout · Aug 22, 2014

That's sort of what I was expecting, but sometimes you get lucky. Oh well. Have fun with your NEW new board and chip!

km6464 · Nov 12, 2014

same problem here with the msi Gaming 7 and an intel cpu ... multiplierer is frozen at 8x ... thermal throttle 100 % with 28 dregree Celsius.

Doigey · Nov 28, 2014

km6464 :

same here man! any change/fix in yours?

Looks like I might be RMAing MOBO & Chip at this rate.

Dany Garc · Feb 8, 2015

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2529113/expert-cpu-motherboard-problem.html

same problem here, probably gonna RMA the motherboard this monday if i dont have a solution.

volcanoscout · Feb 8, 2015

I'm seeing references to the same issue on a number of MSI boards and not finding any references to working fixes in any forums, including MSI's. If the steps listed in the thread above don't fix the issue, it's looking more and more like an RMA as the standard solution. Kind of sucks, but it is what it is. I'm not a big fan of MSI boards anyway. They used to make some pretty decent mobos but recently it seems like, in addition to reducing their material quality level, they just can't get the quality control down.

Axel Vandenbroucke · Mar 28, 2015

Hello, I had the same problem! But when I stress tested it, Intel extreme said that it passed the test without any thermal throttling. I went back to the UEFI and in the top left corner there is a big buttom called "OC GENIE" i clicked it and booted windows. Wonder by wonder the CPU was again at 4GHz and the multiplier was again at 40. I ran valley benchmark and i got normal scores with max 60 °C. The question is now:
-Is my Mobo still broken?
-Or did a button that had to be on uncheck itself?

I did a BIOS update twice and restored default settings multiple times!

Chris_2100 · Sep 5, 2015

The msi gaming 7 has a manual "slow" function that slows the cpu to 800mhz to help fix things if you are overclocking. i figured this out after having the same problem as you, i was surprised that it was shipped with this being set on by default. the switch on the motherboard is right next to the usb 3.0 connector i believe. it also shows it in the manual. switch it to the opposite and the next time you boot up you will already see increased thermals from the higher clock speed and you can then confirm the speed in cpu z. i was frustrated that it took me so long to find this switch since i was really confused at the time but since then my cpu has been working as it should. so just change the switch labeled slow and youll be good.

Quinnt999 · Nov 27, 2015

If nothing else works for you guys, this is what finally worked for me. The motherboard has a bad sensor in it that is saying that the CPU is hotter than it actually it, telling the motherboard to slow down the CPU so it can cool down.

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/396850-intel-core-i7-4790k-locked-at-800mhz/

The guy in this link tells you how to fix it using a program called Throttlestop. the version that he links is out of date, but you can look up the new version and it should still work. All you have to do is uncheck BC PROCHOT and it should work fine from now on. However, technically your motherboard is defective and you should get it replaced, this is just a short term fix.

DirtyCarl · Oct 4, 2016

Chris_2100 :

This worked for me, however my mobo shipped with the switch set to off, intel extreme tuning said Thermal throttling is at 100%.

I powered off switched the switch to on powered on, ran intel extreme tuning still showed thermal throttling at 100%.

Powered off again switched the switch to off powered on, and now thermal throttling is at 0%.

Thanks for all the advice guys, it really helped me out.

CatzHoek · Oct 5, 2016

DirtyCarl :

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I had exactly the same issue. I used the board for months and suddenly i was stuck with Thermal Throttling at 100%.

As you i ...

1) Turn off
2) Enabled Slow Mode using the switch
3) Booted and shut down
4) Disabled Slow mode using the switch
5) Profit

A funny

rogue nomad · Jul 13, 2017

tydiscloud :

rogue nomad · Jul 13, 2017

i had same problem , i disabled theintel adaptive thermal monitor in bios , fixed it good

Processor Frequency locked at 800MHz and thermal throttling at 100%, despite low cpu temps

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