low CPU usage under load, 4690k @4.2ghz

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bigben329

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Nov 17, 2015
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I've recently began overclocking my 4690k using my new Hyper 212 Evo (stock clock 3.5, turbo to 3.9) to the range of 4.2 ghz to get better performance in video games. I've noticed that while using Prime95 to benchmark my overclocked 4690k, that the CPU core speed is at a low 3.5 while under load, and while just browsing online it reaches 4.2ghz, my desired core speed. It does the same in games (Fallout 4).

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

i5 - 4690k OC @4.2
GTX Geforce 960
Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
 
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I honestly don't think you should bother flashing the bios. This is a hardware level issue not a bios issue. Best option? Save up some cash a buy a better board. You've got a good CPU, and if you want to OC it(which you should since you paid for the k model) you'll need a better motherboard.
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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What version of prime95 are you using? Version 26.6 with small fft's is preferable. Are you using a program like realtemp to keep an eye on cpu temperatures? Without knowing any of those things my guess would be that the prime95 test is pushing the cpu too hard and it's throttling for some reason where a less intensive application like browsing is allowing it to run to the 4.2 oc you've got.

When you say it does the same in fallout 4, it's running at 4.2 or dropping back to 3.5ghz same as the p95 test?
 
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gotovato

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I've seen this once before. Recently actually. It was due to a poor vrm/power delivery setup on the motherboard. Under stress it wouldn't hold the overclock and dropped down to stock speeds. The motherboard you are using is far from recommended for overclocking. This is most likely your issue. Only way I solved this problem was by swapping out to a better motherboard.
 
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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That was something else I wondered. Some people are able to oc on b85 boards, likely many dual core pentium owners that require less power. The vrm on that b85 board have no heatsinks which doesn't help.

It may be worth checking the board to see if it says rev.1 or rev.2. The revision 2 boards are the re-release and have throttling issues. Some people are upset and I think it's a poor move on gigabyte's part (as much I like gigabyte personally), though to be fair it's still a b85 board and wasn't intended for overclocking. That's what the z series boards were intended to do. The z series are more than a marketing gimmick, from the vrm to the bios etc they were designed to support overclocking and performance options.

Check this forum post on linustechtips where a youtube video was linked to tech yes city's video explaining the rev1 vs rev2 issues. It begins around the 2:50 mark of the video.
http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/371590-gigabyte-ga-b85m-ds3h-micro-atx-lga1150-and-i5-4690k/
 
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bigben329

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Thank you both so much for a response, I really appreciate it. for the p95 version its the newest one off their website, and I was using the blended option for the testing. and regarding the Fallout 4 question, it shoots back down to a 3.5 clock while in game. it actually appears that the lower my load, the higher my clock! my performance has definitely increased though, which is extremely interesting to me. I am keeping an eye on temps with RealTemp, and they aren't passing 60C even with p95 going for thirty+ minutes.

Regarding getting a new motherboard, that seems like a hassle to me as I did hear about how there was a BIOS update that allowed me to overclock, but I actually can't seem to get the Gigabyte flash program to work as its not compatible with 64 bit windows, and the manual use of a usb in my BIOS doesn't work as it says the file is the incorrect size, so if anyone knows anything about that, that would be greatly appreciated also.

Thanks for the responses!
 
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bigben329

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My gosh, looks like I've got one of the rev2 version boards! What should be my course of action? contact Gigabyte and ask for a refund? my PC isn't even 6 months old, all parts ordered from pc part picker. Shame. Thanks again for your help! (also again on the BIOS update help would be appreciated)
 
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gotovato

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I honestly don't think you should bother flashing the bios. This is a hardware level issue not a bios issue. Best option? Save up some cash a buy a better board. You've got a good CPU, and if you want to OC it(which you should since you paid for the k model) you'll need a better motherboard.
 
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bigben329

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Dang. Thanks to both of you for your help! great first time experience posting on this website. Thanks again!
 
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