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Why is my i3-2100 running at half frequency?

Last response: in Overclocking
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CPUs Expert

And what can be done about it? I know that the i3-2100 cant be overclocked, but is there something wrong with my CPU? Or is there something can be done in the BIOS to increase the multiplier just a tad? Or does it only use half capacity when idle?

This is the CPU-ID validator:

CPU Arch : 1 CPU - 2 Cores - 4 Threads
CPU PSN : Intel Core i3-2120 CPU @ 3.30GHz
CPU EXT : MMX, SSE (1, 2, 3, 3S, 4.1, 4.2), EM64T, VT-x, AVX
CPUID : 6.A.7 / Extended : 6.2A
CPU Cache : L1 : 2 x 32 / 2 x 32 KB - L2 : 2 x 256 KB
CPU Cache : L3 : 3072 KB
Core : Sandy Bridge (32 nm) / Stepping : D2
Freq : 1604.73 MHz (100.3 * 16)
MB Brand : Gigabyte
MB Model : Z68XP-UD3P
NB : Intel Sandy Bridge rev 09
SB : Intel ID1C44 rev 05
GPU Type : Radeon HD 5830
GPU Clocks : Core 156 MHz / RAM 300 MHz
DirectX Version : 11.0
RAM : 16384 MB DDR3 Dual Channel
RAM Speed : 668.7 MHz (1:5) @ 9-9-9-24
Slot 1 : 4096MB (10700)
Slot 1 Manufacturer : Corsair
Slot 2 : 4096MB (10700)
Slot 2 Manufacturer : Corsair
Slot 3 : 4096MB (10700)
Slot 3 Manufacturer : Corsair
Slot 4 : 4096MB (10700)
Slot 4 Manufacturer : Corsair

More about : 2100 running half frequency

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CPUs Authority
Overclocking Expert

SB idles at 1.6ghz to save power, the instant your need more performance it'll go to full speed (if it was an i5/7 it has another load state[turbo]). This downclocking is called speedstep and first appeared in pentium 3s, of course now it's much more advanced and efficient to save power. You can disable it in bios but there's really no point unless you like to have a higher power consumption.
CPUs Authority
Overclocking Expert

Ignore what vizzle said, bios version has nothing to do with it. The downclocking is from a technology called speedstep. If you need more info, I suggest google.
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