Core i7 3930K stuck at 3.8 GHz

[hdawood]

Here is my system configuration:

Intel Core i7 3930K 3.2 GHz
Asus P9X79 Pro (906)
G Skill Ripjaws X 32 GB 1600 MHz Cas9 XMP
Evga Geforce 6600GT 128 MB
Corsair HX850
Noctua NH-D14 SE 2011
Coolermaster Storm Trooper

The problem is that the CPU clock seems to be stuck at 3.8 GHz, which I guess is the Turbo core frequency. I suspect this might be because of the latest 906 bios for the MB but I am not sure. The CPU did use to downclock to 1.2 GHz previously when idle. I dont remember fiddling around with the system bios much other than setting XMP Profile for the RAM.

I am using Core Temp 1.0 and CPU-z to observe the clocks. All the settings are at their stock values. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[amuffin]

Do you have something running in the background? Check taskmanager

 

[hdawood]

Nothing much running in the background, CPU usage is at 0-1 %

 

[hdawood]

Yes definitely something with the BIOS. I changed the profile from XMP to auto and then back to XMP and now the clock seems to be stuck at 3.3 GHz. Strange.

This is a new build (my first ever). Since the platform is so new, there isnt much help available via google unfortunately.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Try turning off XMP and setting the RAM speeds / timings manually.....XMP always gets things buggered up for me.

Set all BIOS settings to default and try the above again.

 

[legendkiller]

Just OC it since you have a high end air cooler... OC it to probably 4.0GHz~4.8GHz... BTW, Get a separate software like AIDA64 Extreme(Download it from sites "Portable Version") and see your actual clock... The Task manager is pointless IF you have Windows 8...

 

[mcnumpty23]

is it just me or does that graphics card seem seriously wrong for such a high end setup?

 

[hdawood]

AIDA64 is also showing the same clocks. btw if I leave it to auto in bios, the default timings for the RAM are set incorrectly (11 11 11 29 instead of 9 9 9 24). This results in visual corruption (flickering squares etc) on the desktop (Win7 Pro SP1 64 bit). At first I thought it to be GPU related, so swapped different GPU/drivers etc but it didnt help. Only when the timings were set correctly (using XMP) did the issue go away. Even Memtest86+ passed with all 8 sticks on incorrect timings.

I will try setting the timings manually. I know there is plenty of room for OC, but I am ok with stock clocks for the time being. I will eventually OC later on.

btw I am using 2 dual channel kits (in Quad configuration) of G Skill 12800CL9-16GBXL memory which is one of the very few kits that are supported to run in 8 dimm configuration on P9X79Pro.

 

[hdawood]

is it just me or does that graphics card seem seriously wrong for such a high end setup?

lol.. yes I know. Its just a scavenged part from an ancient system that I have.

Waiting to get 1 or 2 Tahiti XTs to bring some balance into the system.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

is it just me or does that graphics card seem seriously wrong for such a high end setup?

Lol thats exactly what I was thinking. Boy he sure could dominate Morrowind with that setup...

 

[legendkiller]

Lol thats exactly what I was thinking. Boy he sure could dominate Morrowind with that setup...

Not to be rude but he rather get a Faster CPU than Video Card LOL... That video card will bottle neck nearly any game you play with that CPU being used at 10% or even less lol... If I were you, I'd get a Kepler's GPU later in the summer because it'll blow your mind away from intel... I heard the GTx 680 or GTx 780 is said to be 80% faster than the GTx 580 at same price which is the Kepler...

 

[abcdefg_12]

Here is my system configuration:

Intel Core i7 3930K 3.2 GHz
Asus P9X79 Pro (906)
G Skill Ripjaws X 32 GB 1600 MHz Cas9 XMP
Evga Geforce 6600GT 128 MB
Corsair HX850
Noctua NH-D14 SE 2011
Coolermaster Storm Trooper

The problem is that the CPU clock seems to be stuck at 3.8 GHz, which I guess is the Turbo core frequency. I suspect this might be because of the latest 906 bios for the MB but I am not sure. The CPU did use to downclock to 1.2 GHz previously when idle. I dont remember fiddling around with the system bios much other than setting XMP Profile for the RAM.

I am using Core Temp 1.0 and CPU-z to observe the clocks. All the settings are at their stock values. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

This will be useful:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=20617&ProdId=3450&lang=eng&OSVersion=%0A&DownloadType=%0ASoftware%20Applications%0A

If your max non-turbo boost ratio is 32x and your max turbo boost ratio is 38x, then from there you control it with Windows power options. E.g., if you idle at 3.8, then you have your advanced/processor power management/minimum processor state at 100%. Change that to 95% and you'll drop to 3.2 at idle. Change it to 5% and you'll drop to the lowest clock multiplier of 12, for 1.2. Choose different percentages, and your idle speed will change the clock multiplier accordingly.

 

[gamerk316]

AIDA64 is also showing the same clocks. btw if I leave it to auto in bios, the default timings for the RAM are set incorrectly (11 11 11 29 instead of 9 9 9 24). This results in visual corruption (flickering squares etc) on the desktop (Win7 Pro SP1 64 bit). At first I thought it to be GPU related, so swapped different GPU/drivers etc but it didnt help. Only when the timings were set correctly (using XMP) did the issue go away. Even Memtest86+ passed with all 8 sticks on incorrect timings.

I will try setting the timings manually. I know there is plenty of room for OC, but I am ok with stock clocks for the time being. I will eventually OC later on.

btw I am using 2 dual channel kits (in Quad configuration) of G Skill 12800CL9-16GBXL memory which is one of the very few kits that are supported to run in 8 dimm configuration on P9X79Pro.

Odd, since slower timings shouldn't cause any problems...

 

[hdawood]

Best answer selected by hdawood.