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MSI ZH77A-G43 higher CPU usage after bios flash (1.70)

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June 3, 2013 9:40:37 PM

I have an i3-3220 on an MSI ZH77A-G43 I was running the bios the board came with (1.60) since March. A couple days ago I flashed it to 1.70 and I've noticed quit a bit higher CPU usage and in turn higher CPU temps. I'm reading the temps from the Click Bios (EFI) app. I haven't installed or updated any software on the system since the bios update thus why I'm thinking it was the flash.

I did the flash from the bios screen, not from within windows.

I did back up the old bios I'm wondering if I should go back to 1.60 or just leave well enough alone. Also I did check all my bios settings nothing is changed..I'm still at factory clocked levels nothing over clocked, no custom power/ram settings.

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June 4, 2013 3:39:11 PM

Hi comfortablynumb, I should hopefully be able to settle your worries here.

Ok, BIOS temps are pretty much always unreliable. For one, they will show the "Socket temp" not the actual "Core temp" which is the important one. You should use a proper monitoring app like RealTemp, CoreTemp or HWiNFO. Personally I use RealTemp and HWiNFO as it's always good to have 2 readings.
Plus over the years I seen first hand, including my own current gaming rig, temp sensors go crazy or just plain fail.
Prime example, my BIOS is forever telling me my CPU is at something stupid like 155 degrees! And that my 12v or 5v rail is at either 9000v or 0v lol.

They ain't really the best way to monitor your temps, try one of those listed above.

As for your CPU usage increase, how much are we talking and how long has it been since you did the BIOS flash??? Because it could just be a case of a few programs updating or started running it the background.
June 6, 2013 1:25:17 PM

Different bios versions sometimes change what C States are enabled and this can significantly change your idle temperatures and reported load percentage. Give RealTemp T|I a try. It will tell you what C States are being used and what your core temperature is.

RealTemp T|I Edition
http://www.overclock.net/t/1330144/realtemp-t-i-edition
!